Hello, lovelies! 🩰💕
Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another #TutuTuesday blog post – hurrah! This week we're time-travelling back to 1862! I'm positively buzzing to talk about ballet history. But before we get started, have you seen my pink tutu this week? I bought it at a fabulous new boutique in Paris – the silk is so soft, the colour so vibrant… it just makes me twirl with joy!
Today's topic: the history of the tutu.
Ah, the tutu! It’s such a magical garment, isn’t it? I can't imagine dancing without it! I know lots of you are probably wearing one right now – but did you know that in 1862, tutus were still in their baby steps? 😉 That's right! The classic, romantic style we adore hadn't yet made its debut.
The early tutus of this time weren't as flowy or layered as the tutus we know and love today. Imagine it - a ballet dancer in tights, with just a little frill or maybe a single layer of fabric, instead of the full skirt! Now that’s just barely a tutu, don’t you think? Think more practical than pretty, which seems quite sensible, even if it is a bit boring compared to our delightful, voluminous styles.
On 23rd December 1862, in Paris, Carlotta Grisi was performing "Giselle," a beautiful and famous ballet which still remains a staple for many ballet companies. You might see a slight nod to this historical moment in some modern versions, especially in the first act. Though not in her classic "tutu" in this act, Carlotta, famous for her amazing technique, graced the stage with a simple dress, which, even in its simple form, allowed for fluid and graceful movements. This ballet and Carlotta’s portrayal of it were such a triumph, it became instantly celebrated, and paved the way for a more flowing and romantic approach to dancewear!
Speaking of Paris! I just love visiting! I took the train last week – so elegant, and a fantastic way to travel - and it was like stepping into a fashion magazine! The women's clothing - so stylish and daring!* My new feather boa would be right at home here, especially paired with my latest vintage floral skirt. And just imagine the fabulous window displays of lace and velvet – I was absolutely enthralled! Paris really is the epitome of grace and style.
But let's get back to our tutus!
In the early 1860s, even the shortest tutus, called "la danseuse", were far more layered and complex than what we're accustomed to now! Can you imagine that – tutus being too fussy for their time?
This "fussiness" was the beginning of the end of the old "la danseuse", which we’re slowly starting to see fade from the ballet stage by the 1880s. The "la danseuse", in its earlier, less "fussily" layered format, was a more simple design – with its main goal of being functional for the performance and offering freedom of movement.
This kind of practical approach made sense - but by the 1870s, another key factor was evolving: the emergence of the "Romantic ballet", which embraced floating and airy movement, emotion, and fairytale stories. All of this really opened the door for new, grander ideas for dancewear. And this brings us, finally, to our modern, fluffy tutu, as it allowed for greater expressiveness and flexibility!
There you have it – a quick glimpse into the origins of the tutu. Who knew these tiny little snippets of ballet history would be so captivating?
Remember to head to the comments and tell me all about your favourite tutus! Maybe you can even share photos of yourselves wearing them? And don’t forget to tag us on social media, especially on Instagram! We'll be featuring the best #TutuTuesday pics all week!
Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us at www.pink-tutu.com – where every Tuesday we'll delve a bit deeper into the enchanting world of the tutu.
See you next week, lovelies! Remember, life is always better in a pink tutu! 💖🩰
