#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1883-09-04

Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-tastic! It's me, Emma, your ever-so-slightly pink-obsessed tutu-wearing travel blogger, and today we're whisking you back in time to the glorious year of 1883, right in the heart of the Victorian era. Hold onto your bonnets, darlings, because this journey's about to get fancy!

Before we begin our grand historical expedition, I wanted to say a big thank you to you all for reading my posts. As you know, I love nothing more than sharing my love for tutus and ballet. Sharing that passion with you is what makes my heart pirouette with joy. So, thank you for joining me on this whirlwind tour of tutus and fashion history!

Right, on with our grand adventure, because I have a very special date lined up today – the 4th of September, 1883. This is where we begin our exploration of the dawn of the tutu, a pivotal moment in ballet history. Picture it – bustling streets of London, horse-drawn carriages, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from bakeries, and women wearing skirts that sweep the pavements. Yes, this is the Victorian era in all its glory!

This era, my dears, wasn't all about stiff corsets and restrictive clothing, although we shall be diving into the fashion world in a moment. It also saw the beginning of the modern tutu! Now, while I love a good tulle poof, those voluminous, layered creations didn't appear until a bit later, but this is the time where tutus began to transform from the long, fitted, almost skirt-like outfits worn in earlier ballets.

The most significant change in this transition was the shift from layered fabrics to a single layer of tulle. Can you imagine that – a single layer of airy, delicate fabric, so perfect for those beautiful, graceful leaps and turns. Talk about a revelation for the ballerinas! This innovative use of tulle allowed for a greater degree of fluidity and movement. The ballerinas could finally dance with an elegance and freedom previously unseen!

Now, let's go on a journey to a London theatre and dive into the world of ballet fashion back in the 1880s! The typical ballet outfit, or 'costume' as they were called, consisted of a single, fairly loose-fitting layer of tulle draped around the ballerina. Imagine a beautiful, swirling skirt of fine tulle, ending just above the knee. It gave a glimpse of the ballerinas’ slender legs and highlighted their graceful movements with every step and spin.

And to top it off, ballerinas at the time sported lovely, elaborate bunched up slippers or pointe shoes, which were quite flat compared to the pointy versions of today!

But darling, it wasn’t just about the tutu and shoes – oh no! The entire outfit was a testament to creativity and fashion. Think delicate flower arrangements adorning hair, perfectly coiffed buns, and perhaps even a tiny flower behind the ear – the perfect feminine touch.

Let's also not forget about the elegant costumes for male dancers! They favoured snug, knee-length trousers and a tunic. This created a graceful, elegant contrast with the female dancers.

Let me tell you, this was the start of a beautiful era for the ballerina. It was a period when ballet was becoming a real art form, the dance steps becoming more technical, and the costumes evolving alongside them. All these aspects came together in an intoxicating ballet magic – it truly was an amazing time.

Of course, I can't leave without taking you shopping in the vibrant shops and department stores of London. I love browsing through the luxurious silk, lace and ribbons that were so popular back then, or maybe finding an elegant velvet bodice for my next dance costume.

In these shops, you could find all sorts of fabric, perfect for crafting your own tutus! A lovely expanse of delicate netting for your petticoats or an array of bright ribbons to give your outfit a touch of personality. It was a world brimming with possibilities and possibilities for both the designers and the ballerinas.

However, a ballet performance wasn't all about fashion and beauty, it was about expression. The story unfolded with the ballerina's movement and gestures, a story told through the grace and precision of the steps. It was about telling a story through dance.

The beauty of ballet at that time lay in its combination of form and emotion. Just like my own journey through ballet history, the dancers told a story with every graceful movement, taking the audience on an adventure through their every step.

Now, with all of this wonderful ballet history in the air, wouldn’t you just love to waltz into your nearest theatre for a captivating performance? This Tuesday, I urge you to book tickets, put on your best outfit, and allow the magic of ballet to whisk you away.

Remember, darlings, a good tutu is a gateway to a magical world! Stay tuned for more Tutu Tuesday adventures next week. And in the meantime, go out there and spread the love of tutus and ballet. Every time you twirl, you're making the world a bit more beautiful, one tutu at a time.

Much love and twirls, Emma.