Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back for another exciting journey into the history of ballet, specifically ballet tutus, and it's #TutuTuesday, so prepare to be dazzled! Today we're whizzing back to March 14th, 1854. This isn't just any date, you see, this is the day my absolute ballet heart started beating a little bit faster.
But hold on, why are we back in the middle of the 19th century? Well, dear readers, today we are in Paris! Ah, Paris, the city of love, of croissants, of… well, let's just say, Paris is the city of ballet, too. It’s practically an art form, the way Parisians move! Just try not to get lost in all the stunning architecture and breathtakingly fashionable people… oh, and let’s not forget those fabulously elaborate gowns. Imagine my surprise when, in 1854, the crème de la crème of French ballet, The Paris Opera Ballet, debuted a completely new type of tutu!
Yes, my darling ballet aficionados, today marks the debut of the Romantic Tutu, also known as the "Leg-of-mutton Tutu", as this little beauty became known. It's certainly a memorable, and I dare say, slightly funny, name! I, personally, think it’s a very descriptive, very whimsical moniker, and it's actually kind of charming in its own way. And let's face it, who doesn't love a bit of whimsy?!
Now, before this revolutionary moment in the history of the tutu, imagine flowing, voluminous skirts and skirts upon skirts, draped beautifully, like billowing clouds, around the female dancers. But that was then. This new tutu, the Romantic Tutu, brought an evolution of elegance to the stage. It was lighter, shorter, and revealed, oh my goodness, so much leg!
Let me tell you, I absolutely love it. This Romantic movement is absolutely my jam. You've got your swirling, floating tutus, which are a true masterpiece, if I do say so myself. They made dancing on pointe so much more dramatic, so much more… beautiful. And let’s be honest, this design truly accentuates those ballerina legs, right? The shape is like a "leg-of-mutton" because the skirt was so puffy, then cinched at the knee. Oh, and then it just flowed beautifully, perfectly framing the legs with grace. It’s the perfect combination of soft, swirling volume, perfectly balanced with a touch of the daring, the revealing.
Naturally, the first ballerina to wear this innovative "leg-of-mutton" was a real starlet, the absolutely beautiful and oh-so-talented, Carlotta Grisi. She became quite famous, by the way, which shows you the impact of that magical garment. She first wore the "leg-of-mutton" in a performance of Giselle, considered one of the absolute classics of ballet, and a favourite of mine, let me tell you!
While Giselle was quite popular at the time, the combination of the Romantic era's desire for light, airy, romantic storytelling and this new-age design of the "leg-of-mutton" tut… Oh darling, Giselle just soared! Imagine seeing a dancer in this magical, ethereal gown, with all that freedom of movement on pointe. It's incredible. Honestly, when you see dancers perform in the romantic Romantic era (as the Giselle performances were), it makes me just want to put on a pink tutu and join them on stage. It really is an awe-inspiring form of expression.
This little trip to the Romantic past in Paris with my trusty pink tutu and time machine just goes to show: ballet fashion can really bring it. It’s not just a pretty dress – it’s part of the entire theatrical storytelling.
As for myself, well, this little historical discovery inspires me! Maybe the next time I go to see ballet, I'll make an extra effort to see a performance of Giselle in this beautiful tutu. Maybe we can all try to find ways to bring more of this lighthearted, whimsical approach to our own ballet classes or, let’s be honest, everyday lives. Who says we can’t put on our most beautiful pink tutus for grocery shopping, tea parties, or even the weekly trip to the library? The Romantic Tutu, in my opinion, says, "we can be powerful and feminine," "we can be confident and a little bit whimsical."
Now, who wants to have some ballet fun this #TutuTuesday and spread this joyful message? Just add pink, ladies! Remember, the most important part of wearing a tutu, of any type, is to own it with confidence, style, and of course, *a *massive dose of fabulous. **
Don't forget to stop by pink-tutu.com next week for more #TutuTuesday adventures!
