Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on a fabulous journey through the glorious history of ballet tutus. This week, we’re stepping back in time to July 21st, 1874! 🕰️
It's Tuesday, which means it’s time for another #TutuTuesday post! This is post number 2221 in my #BalletTutuHistory blog, if you can believe it. I've been documenting this fascinating history on www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for ages!
It’s hard to imagine a world without tutus! But, as I always say, these fabulous pieces of ballet wear have a history. They didn’t just magically appear!
Before I launch into the details of the magnificent history of this fabulous piece of clothing, let me tell you about my whirlwind journey this week! I caught the most splendid ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, which is just the place to be for all things ballet. Oh, the glorious costumes, the enchanting choreography, and the soaring leaps! The crowds, decked out in their finest attire, were practically vibrating with excitement! I was smitten! And then, afterwards, I found myself in London, amidst the bustling shops of Bond Street, discovering the newest trends! Oh, the dresses! The hats! Fashion truly is a delicious form of art, don't you agree? 😉 And, naturally, my trips are never complete without catching a few plays in the West End, where the atmosphere is simply electrifying.
But back to the amazing story of the tutu! This week, I was on the hunt for clues about tutulistic (my word!) developments in the year 1874. Now, my dear readers, we need to understand that while tutus were certainly beginning to make their presence known, 1874 was still very much in the age of romantic ballet.
You see, these ballerinas of yore, oh, they were all about expressing the graceful, romantic, and passionate ideals of the era. So, forget the frilly tutus we all adore! They favoured a slightly different style in those days!
This era was all about what we call the “Romantic Tutu, “ darling! They weren’t exactly short or puffy – they were all about layers of light, airy fabrics like muslin or silk. This beautiful fabric created the effect of a flowing gown and had no restrictions on the legs! Oh my! Now you're imagining what a dancer might look like in that stunning, light, soft romantic tutu! Imagine the feeling, like dancing on air!
They also used a slightly shorter skirt known as the “Ballet Skirt,” which just fell below the knee, which was still quite daring and scandalous for the time, can you believe it?! But imagine! Those ladies had the grace and the poise to make even a long ballet skirt, swirling around their feet as they danced, seem sensational. It’s the grace of a long and elegant train to this day, and still a captivating spectacle!
If you ever get the chance to see a romantic ballet in the West End or anywhere around Europe, make sure you make a note to check out what these women were wearing in those times. If the fashion, style, and dancing is not completely mind-blowing, I’ll be very surprised indeed. It's truly magical.
Now, I am all for history, my darlings. However, when it comes to tutus, I have to admit, I find the grander Classical Tutu, popularised in the 20th Century, oh so much more charming! Imagine it – a shorter, multi-layered tulle masterpiece that gives the dancer the absolute freedom of movement. It was a revolutionary advancement! That's my taste and my choice, but we have to acknowledge how wonderful and fabulous those earlier, and rather different, Romantic Tutus were too!
Anyway, as always, I want to share my top tips for any tutu-loving darling who wants to learn more about the magic of tutus and their glorious evolution:
- Head to the library! A wealth of knowledge awaits you, my dearest! Get your hands on books about the history of ballet! So many fascinating stories and beautiful photographs.
- Travel back in time through movies! If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from travelling through time (that’s how I get my tutu blog posts!) it’s that fashion really changes! You can find those romantic-era costumes in so many films and television shows. Pay attention!
- Support the Arts! The greatest way to appreciate tutus is to witness the sheer talent of dancers on stage! Ballet companies across the world put on magical performances – be sure to check out the listings!
- Follow my #TutuTuesday posts on www.pink-tutu.com! That's why I'm here! I promise you the best Tutu Tuesday blog you've ever seen, in all the colours, in all the forms! And maybe, someday, I’ll write about those Romantic Tutus in more detail. They deserve their moment in the spotlight!
So, darlings, make sure you grab your fanciest pair of dancing shoes and wear a pink tutu! After all, what else would you want to wear?
Remember to share this post with your fellow tutu lovers! Don't forget to comment below! I'm curious about your favorite tutu style – maybe we can make a future post dedicated to them!
Keep your shoes sparkling and your hearts full of pink. Until next week, darling!
XOXO
Emma
P.S. Don't forget, if you love tutus as much as I do, consider supporting the Royal Ballet School ! You can contribute to the future of this fascinating and gorgeous art form. 💖
