Tutu Tuesday TutuTuesday Every Tuesday a Ballet Tutu Since 1832

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1881-05-24

Tutu Tuesday: #2578 - The Dawn of the Tutu (Part 1!)

Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another whirlwind journey through time, this time landing right in the heart of 1881. Honestly, you wouldn't believe the clothes! Such fantastic fabric and lace, and those big bustles! The gentlemen all look so dashing too, all with those dapper suits and fancy hats. Oh, but the best part of this era? The tutus, my lovelies!

Today's #TutuTuesday is a bit special. You see, we're starting a little series on the glorious history of the tutu. That's right, I'm going to take you all on a journey through the years, showing you the magnificent evolution of this fabulous piece of dancewear. Buckle up, ladies, because we're going on a magical journey!

First things first, what were tutus like back in the 1800s? Well, to put it simply, they weren't quite the tutu as we know it today. Back then, ballerinas were adorned in pretty little "tutu-esque" items that looked much more like simple, shorter skirts than the fluffy, structured masterpieces we see today. This period saw ballerinas like Carlotta Grisi wearing lovely layered skirts for their dancing. They were quite different from what we know today as tutus - a little shorter, a little simpler. But they were gorgeous for their time! The key elements were their lightweight feel and how they moved beautifully with each pirouette and plié.

Now, where did we actually get the word "tutu"? As you may know, it is quite the funny word. Apparently, this lovely term originates from the French. A tutu could also refer to, ahem, "something to wear around the bum" - you know what I mean? Honestly, the Victorians were quite cheeky! Of course, a ballerina’s tutu isn't quite a tutu in the that sense - though they did wear a good bit of layered tulle in the very beginning. Oh dear, my head is spinning with these sartorial tidbits!

But enough of history, let's jump into the fun part! As a ballerina who is madly in love with all things tulle, I simply had to try on some of the costumes. Thankfully, I was able to find a lovely shop in Paris, nestled within the cobbled streets. You would think they’d have shops selling only tutus, wouldn't you? Alas, it was tucked away amongst a cluster of fashionable hat shops.

It felt like stepping into another world, you wouldn’t believe the beautiful creations. My goodness, just imagine all the possibilities! Feathers, silk, ruffles, lace! A true paradise for any aspiring ballerina. I practically cried tears of joy! Luckily, my love for tutus paid off, because it was there, tucked away on a high shelf in a glass case. A pink one at that.

With a tiny pinch of time-travel magic, I slipped into a beautiful, ruffled ballet costume, with a very soft but sturdy tulle skirt. Oh, it moved so gracefully as I pirouetted. And the colours? The most vibrant blues and rose-toned pinks! They brought back happy memories of the grand ballet balls in Derbyshire, where everyone was decked out in fancy gowns and danced till they dropped.

Speaking of balls, do you know what’s on today’s date? The 24th of May, 1881. Oh my goodness, it’s the Royal Ascot! This grand occasion is all about horses, fine clothing, and royal fanfare. In this era, there is no Ascot ladies’ day, alas, but I’m told this is a grand spectacle and just as fashionable! You can bet there are tons of tutus hidden under the layers of fancy clothing that I wouldn't dream of getting a glimpse at (for modesty, you understand!).

Don't forget, I’ll be here next week, travelling further down the wonderful path of ballet history. It wouldn't be a true Tutu Tuesday without an absolute delight of information! For those of you who are a tad behind, there’s plenty to find on the pink-tutu.com website, and be sure to tag your own ballet pictures with #TutuTuesday!

I hope you have a wonderful time and remember to keep twirling, you beautiful lot! Until next time, stay fabulous!

Much love,

Emma

xxx

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1881-05-24