#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1870-09-13

Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, your pink tutu-clad guide to the history of ballet’s most iconic garment! Today, we’re going on a sartorial adventure back to the glorious year of 1870. Buckle up, dear readers, as we hop aboard a train carriage, whisk away to the land of fashion, and explore the world of tutus in this wonderful year!

Picture this: The cobblestone streets are aglow with gaslights, the air filled with the vibrant hum of conversation. We’re in Paris, the heart of the ballet world in 1870, and the excitement is palpable! As a true tutu enthusiast, my heart beats with joy, for this era is truly a golden age for tutus.

Let’s talk romanticism! The ballet scene is absolutely brimming with this spirit, and tutus are the stars of the show! It’s all about soft, ethereal movements, dramatic emotions, and of course, dreamy tulle skirts. In those days, the tulle was fine and lightweight, and the tutus, whether single or multi-layered, had a softness and lightness that simply radiated grace. Think billowing, dreamy, graceful flounces, delicate layers that whispered as they swirled, and colours that mirrored the delicate colours of the sky and clouds! Oh, darling, the beauty of it all!

The reigning queen of this period is the "Romantic Tutu" – a graceful, full-skirted dream! They’re constructed with several layers of tulle and frequently ornamented with floral embroidery, feathers, and even silk ribbons. This era marked a true explosion of tulle experimentation – with the layers, with the colours, with the textures! And don’t forget the stunning ballet shoes! Satin slippers and silken point shoes were just as exquisite, ensuring every movement and pose was a work of art.

This is the time when the “Tutu” really made its mark! Prior to this era, you'd see short skirts or a loose style, but now the long, layered tutus took center stage! We are truly living in a tutu golden age!

This is also the year… (take a deep breath and get ready for a historical tidbit that sends my inner ballerina into a happy pirouette!) The famed Imperial Russian Ballet debuts its stunning adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in Moscow, captivating the audience with its breathtaking grace and its use of the most elegant tutus I've ever witnessed. Oh, to have been there, amidst the velvet-lined theatre seats, watching the swan queens gracefully move in their pristine white tutus – I’d surely have cried tears of joy!

Can you believe it, darling, just a few decades ago, ballet was practically unrecognisable! Ladies were performing in cumbersome crinolines and thick fabric. Oh dear! How were they supposed to pirouette and arabesque? Thankfully, the evolution of ballet costumes towards the ethereal tutus we know and adore was unstoppable. It was all thanks to the invention of tulle! Yes, you heard that right! This miracle fabric! Oh, to meet the visionary behind this masterpiece!

The year 1870 witnessed tutus reaching new heights! No more constraints – a beautiful transition! The lightness, the grace, the airiness! It was the era when we began to truly embrace the elegance and freedom of movement, thanks to our beloved tulle. Imagine, ladies! If it hadn't been for tulle, we might still be stuck in crinolines! Thank goodness for the magic of that fabric!

Ah, dear readers! As a time traveler and an utterly passionate ballet enthusiast, my life is one grand tour through the captivating history of tutus! I travel by train – there’s something utterly romantic about watching the countryside whizz past as I travel, thinking about ballet and tutus, I could write a whole blog on trains alone!

Every Tuesday, I venture to a new point in time to explore the evolution of these elegant dance costumes. And you, my darlings, get to travel along with me! I love researching, discovering, and sharing the magic of tutus with you.

This blog, No. 2020, marks another important milestone: It’s “Tutu Tuesday” – my weekly celebration of this amazing garment! Do join me every Tuesday on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com (that's the name of my site - it’s all about spreading the love of pink and tutus!), where we’ll be delving into the stories of ballerinas, exploring the evolution of ballet and all its delightful intricacies.

Today, let’s raise a glass (or maybe a teapot! 😄) to the 1870s, an era when romanticism reigned supreme and the magic of tulle set our imaginations free!

Remember, darlings: Always stay tutu-tiful!

Until next time!

💖Emma

P.S: Let me know in the comments! Which ballet era fascinates you the most? Do share your thoughts, stories, and questions! Let's all embrace the world of ballet together!