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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1873-03-04

Tutu Tuesday #2149: A Glimpse Into 1873 - The Era of Elegance

Hello, my dearest tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we celebrate the history of our beloved ballet tutus. Today, I’m whisking us back in time to 4th March, 1873 - a truly enchanting period for the tutu!

Imagine me, darling, your ever-so-stylish blogger, zipping through the annals of history, arriving at a quaint Parisian theatre, clad in a glorious pink tutu. I am feeling the pulse of a very different era, one where elegance is the norm, and every movement has a graceful air. The streets of Paris, oh, the streets! Bustling with fashion, bustling with the excitement of a burgeoning ballet scene.

1873 was an important year for ballet, with the premiere of many magnificent productions. Just imagine me, arriving at the Opéra Garnier, dressed to the nines in my best silk gloves and feather boa, taking my seat amongst a room of esteemed patrons. The stage lights, the music, the costumes – pure magic! But what about those glorious tutus? Let’s delve into what was gracing the stage in this glorious year!

The Evolution of the Tutu

As I mentioned in previous #TutuTuesday posts, the tutu, as we know it today, had not yet taken its definitive form in 1873. You might have seen the images, darlings, the “bell tutu” was a popular style at this time, billowing outwards to create a dramatic silhouette, very reminiscent of a blooming flower. You can almost imagine how light and ethereal the ballerinas must have looked, like porcelain dolls in motion. It is said to have first been worn in the La Fille mal gardée in 1828 by the dancer Marie Taglioni. Such elegance and romance! I have a beautiful, vintage one in my collection and, my goodness, I’ve danced a storm in it.

But remember, this is 1873, an era of changing fashion and societal ideals. The emphasis now was on flow, and delicate femininity. While still being dramatically full, the "bell" became more "cone"-shaped, longer, with a less voluminous top, creating a less pronounced skirt shape - very stylish indeed!

From Classical to Romantic

1873 is not just about tutus, darlings, but about the changing landscape of ballet itself. We’re seeing a transition from the strict classicism of the 18th century towards the more emotional and Romantic style. Think of the legendary dancers of this era like Anna Pavlova, the queen of La Bayadère. Such captivating and lyrical beauty on the stage. It truly was a golden era!

The shift from neoclassical to romantic dance resulted in less attention being placed on technique and strength and more attention on graceful, expressive, flowing movements. The bell tutu played its part perfectly. It allowed the ballerina's movements to become more prominent - delicate, fluid, and graceful, like a butterfly.

Pink, Pink, Pink!

And how could we forget the colour? My dearest tutu-lovers, I’m a firm believer that there is no better hue for a ballet tutu than a vibrant shade of pink! Now, while pink was not yet the dominant color of choice for tutus in the 1870s, think of the sheer elegance of delicate lace trimmings, and swathes of silk, flowing through the air like a dream. The sheer and the satin materials are always exquisite on the stage.

It’s truly incredible how ballet fashion was evolving back then, in such an interesting era of fashion! Imagine, for example, the magnificent fabrics and materials they had access to: silk, lace, and a cornucopia of other embellishments! One can’t deny, they certainly knew how to dress for a show!

Back To Today

And there we have it, dear readers, another journey into the world of ballet tutus! I know it can be difficult to imagine such an era, especially for those of us who have never experienced the world of 19th-century Parisian ballet!

The world of tutus, as you know, is truly a beautiful one, but don’t take my word for it - head to a ballet show or join a ballet class. Get those dancing shoes on, embrace the love for all things ballet, and perhaps even think of joining the pink tutu movement, my friends!

I hope, when you next look at a ballerina gracefully performing in a tutu, you'll recall these little nuggets of ballet history! And as always, thank you for joining me in my Tutu Tuesday adventures.

Until next week, stay fabulous and, of course, embrace your inner tutu!

Your Pink-loving friend,

Emma

P.S. For those of you keen to see an exceptional performance, the Royal Opera House in London is currently putting on a magical performance of Giselle. Don't forget, tickets always sell fast!

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1873-03-04