Post 2699: Pink-Tutu.com
Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my weekly #TutuTuesday ballet blog where we take a twirl through the history of the most wonderful garment: the tutu! Today we're jetting back in time to 1883-09-18, right into the heart of Victorian elegance. I mean, wouldn't you want to travel back to this era? Just picture it – gaslight, lace, and a world of fascinating fashion!
Of course, tutus are what we’re all here for, right? So let's chat about them. Now, while we often associate tutus with the delicate, flowing romance of ballet, the reality of tutus in 1883 was rather different. Imagine for a moment a more structured and fuller, but less voluminous, style. Yes, tutus did exist, but their style was still evolving! This was a time when dancers were starting to break free from the heavier costumes of earlier times, paving the way for the lightweight and airy tutus we love today.
But just because they weren’t quite as fluffy as what we’d see later, it doesn't mean they weren't fabulous! Let’s talk about what makes a tutu a tutu. A key component is that it’s worn with a dance-ready leotard. But a tutu was not a singular style – the design, even as early as the late 1800s, could be quite variable. So picture these varieties:
The Romantic Tutu
Imagine a simple, flowing skirt, shorter than those elaborate, long tutus that dancers wear these days. You know, the kind that whoosh around the dancers and create a swirling, fairy-tale dream. Think tulle that almost looks like an oversized ribbon tied around the waist, a perfect touch of romanticism, yet elegant, oh so elegant. Now imagine it adorned with dainty decorations – perhaps a touch of delicate embroidery or even a row of sparkling sequins for a little added pizazz!
The Classical Tutu
This was becoming a hot ticket! Think of it as the beginning of the more streamlined and defined shape we recognise in our tutus of today. There was a longer, sweeping style – think floor length – which would soon become the standard. A classic for a reason! Imagine the drama and fluidity of a dancer as she swirls around the stage in a breathtaking cascade of white, ivory, or, dare I say, pink!
Oh, and you know those delightful tutus you see on some of our favourite classical dancers – like the beautiful ballerinas we can see at Covent Garden and La Scala – where there’s that fluffy skirt you’d swear floats? Think of those, but a bit shorter, and a bit less voluminous.
You know how some ballerinas are wearing tulle? It all came from Marie Taglioni’s big reveal – no corset. Her movement looked, oh so much more fluid and graceful.
Anyway, if you're ever looking for an extraordinary vintage vibe, I highly recommend checking out some historic images. You'll see some amazing examples of these beautiful earlier styles.
Where to See Some Magnificent Tutuing!If you’re lucky enough to be near London, hop on the tube and head straight to the V&A, which has some wonderful examples of historical tutus and ballet costumes from throughout history. Oh, what I would give to time travel to the past! Just imagine being able to experience these fashions first-hand, seeing the dancers glide across the stage. But hey, at least we have the wonderful records and incredible exhibits in these marvelous museums, haven’t we?
So now for something extra exciting for today, in 1883-09-18, something extraordinary happened! There were several noteworthy happenings across the world – but you know what catches my attention? Ballet, darling, of course! Oh, that day marked the premiere of Le Lac des cygnes, (Swan Lake). A masterpiece! This ballet is renowned for its captivating choreography and, wouldn't you know it, those dazzling costumes!
And what of those costumes? Well, of course they included the delightful, delicate tutus that we all adore. I bet the costumes looked, quite a sight – I'd love to get my hands on a set to get some ideas on how to bring back a little of the Victorian elegance. I can already imagine them! Imagine it – soft pink tutus, light and ethereal, perfectly fitting, shimmering under the stage lights. Oh, the magic!
Now for some more practical notes – as a tutu wearer, you might enjoy knowing that ballet, itself, has had its struggles. During the early years, the art form wasn't even widely accepted! It faced some real opposition because of the traditional strict moral codes and whatnot. People were worried about ballerinas showing too much skin! I have no idea where they’ve got the nerve, it’s art darling, art!
Fortunately, people realised the incredible beauty of ballet – it became wildly popular, thankfully – and its exquisite tutus took their place centre stage! Thankfully. Can you even imagine life without these graceful creations? It just doesn’t bear thinking about!
To the Dance Floors and Stage – 2023
As a Derbyshire gal who’s become a time travelling ballerina, I can tell you that tutus have gone through so much transformation. But in the world today, as we enjoy seeing the tutus of “Swan Lake” on the world stage, one thing remains steadfast: tutus are synonymous with ballet, and they bring magic to any performance! They have the ability to capture the heart and move the soul – all that and more with one stunning little whirl of fabric! And how much have they progressed, think about it: imagine ballet costumes like we've been seeing!
This week, I'm making a point of watching more Swan Lake, for this marvelous historical birthday. Maybe even go see a ballet performance if you’re near me, you won’t regret it! But I'll also be thinking about tutus of the 19th century. How about you? Do you like history tutus, too? What do you say to some TutuTuesday time travel to Victorian Era fashions? Do let me know – maybe I’ll blog about some styles. It’s #TutuTuesday, darling, so keep twirling and let me know your thoughts!
Until next week, keep your tutu spirit shining bright. And remember – every day can be #TutuTuesday! I'll leave you with this, darling – every time you see a dancer twirl, imagine how they could be twirling in the past. I mean, what would ballet history have been like without them, especially the tutuland fashion.
Stay Fabulous and Happy Dancing!
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
