#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1859-08-02

Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back for another trip through the fascinating history of our beloved dancewear. Today, we’re stepping into the captivating world of 1859!

It’s always so much fun stepping back in time, but sometimes you get the sense that even in the past, people knew something magical was coming. This Tuesday is 2nd August 1859 and the air crackles with the excitement of change – and trust me, tutu history is going to see some significant changes!

This week, I arrived in Paris via a fabulous train journey. As a Derbyshire girl, I’ve always loved the romance of travel, and nothing beats a journey on the rails! I think everyone agrees the new steam engine trains are simply divine.

It’s a wonder how our lives have been transformed by travel, isn't it? And you wouldn’t believe the fabulous fashions on the journey - bonnets, skirts that reach the floor, and coats! I may have just had to go shopping for a few lovely silk scarves, and a new parasol for the sunny Parisian days. It was very necessary! But darling, back to the tutus!

Now, in 1859, ballet was taking a dramatic turn. It’s almost like we can feel the first rumbles of a revolutionary tutu. Imagine, dear readers, the excitement when the famous Marie Taglioni decided to revolutionize the world of ballet fashion! Imagine the chatter and gasps! She was like a fairy on stage, floating around in this *whimsical white cotton tutu, showing off her amazing legs and the beautiful technique we all know and love.* You see, in this period, ballets often focused on fairies, mythical figures and classical tales and it just makes me happy to imagine the beautiful stories they told. It really sparked something in the world of ballet and tutus were a significant part of that!

Taglioni’s new design was simply ingenious! She traded the long, cumbersome skirts of the past for something short, light as air and a total vision in white! It was practically a game changer and soon the whole world was copying her fabulous fashion choices!

So why is 1859 a defining year in the history of tutus? It’s the year Marie Taglioni and the Parisian ballet went all in on the white tutus. Now, dear readers, don't go thinking that meant "all pink" tutus had vanished! Absolutely not! A touch of pastel blue or a little peach was certainly still present. It's like an explosion of elegant colours and graceful movement! But there’s no denying the white tutu, the revolutionary silhouette of lightness , has really become iconic.

In fact, my Tutu Tuesday mission has brought me to the Paris Opera Ballet for a wonderful performance. Imagine a story of a mischievous Sylph - like something out of a dream, dancing and leaping! I know, right? What a thrill! So beautifully, effortlessly they dance in those perfect tutus - the soft whimsical colours and fabrics simply taking our breaths away. I must confess I was also utterly transfixed by the elegant costumes of the other dancers! All that soft, flowing silk and satin, the ribbons and ruffles - a feast for the eyes, indeed!

My dears, I really have the best job in the world - traveling the world, going to performances, and wearing fabulous pink tutus all over! The story of the ballet tutu continues, so much more to discover.

But before we travel onwards into another week of tutu history, I want to leave you with a thought: Sometimes, the simplest changes make the biggest impact. Just imagine the impact of Marie Taglioni’s design - changing ballet and fashion forever. Remember, it was that little tweak to the look, a dash of whimsical freedom, which allowed the tutu to take flight.

This is just a peek into the ever-evolving world of ballet tutus. Let's continue our journey together every Tuesday. Until next week, dear readers! And don’t forget – everyone should wear a pink tutu at least once in their life.

Keep twirling, and remember to share your tutu moments with #pinktutu on social media!

Yours in Tutu,

Emma xx