#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1887-10-18

Post Number 2912: www.pink-tutu.com

Hello, my lovely tutu-lovers! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another trip down memory lane to uncover the fascinating history of the tutu, a garment I'm completely smitten with!

Fancy a journey back to 1887, darlings? Buckle up, as we're boarding the grand express train from my Derbyshire home straight to Paris, the city of lights and ballet!

Oh, wouldn't it be splendid to see the Palais Garnier in its full glory? That incredible theatre, it just screams Parisian chic with its stunning grand staircases, opulent decorations and that magnificent chandelier - the biggest one I've ever seen! Fancy a peek? It’s quite something! I do love a good glimpse of history.

Today’s #TutuTuesday is all about the evolution of this fantastic piece of stagewear, and trust me, it’s not always been the floaty, romantic garment we adore today. Let's peek at what ballerinas were twirling in back in the late 1800s…

You see, my dearest readers, 1887 is quite a pivotal year in the history of the tutu! While you may imagine ballet dancers adorned in airy, knee-length tulle creations, it's actually not as straightforward as you think!

It's true that around the 1880s, a major transformation happened. Previously, tutus were much longer and often consisted of layered fabrics – think more skirt than tutu!

But oh darling, how the tides have changed! Enter, the short tutu, also known as the tutu à la Camargo or the tutu romantique. This style, made popular in the late 1800s, is far more airy and free than those rigid layered styles of old.

Why the change, you ask?

Well, it's all about progress, darlings. Think about how ballerinas were moving: more leaps, quicker spins, faster footwork! That’s where the revolutionary short tutu came in! A much more functional piece of stagewear, freeing those graceful limbs to really flow across the stage. Oh, to see these ladies dance - such grace!

And wouldn’t you know it, 1887 is a year to remember. This year marked the birth of the short tutu as we know it! This fabulous piece of history has had a huge influence on the tutus we love today.

Imagine, all those amazing choreographies happening around this time, from Swan Lake to Giselle… What an era for ballet and for the tutu! I do love a little dance history! But where to start?

Oh darling, there is nothing like stepping onto the grand staircase of The Palais Garnier - it’s just magic. You can almost feel the spirit of those incredible ballet legends dancing within its hallowed halls. You can simply smell history in that theatre.

1887 is quite the time for ballet - a flurry of activity! Imagine attending a fantastic performance like Giselle! The most beautiful dancing! So, if I could travel to Paris this week, a visit to the Palais Garnier for an exquisite ballet would be a complete delight.

Imagine being there, experiencing those chills when the lead ballerina takes center stage. That moment is a feeling that can only be experienced by witnessing a performance, darlings!

After a wonderful ballet, nothing beats shopping, naturally! And in Paris, it's just heavenly. It’s quite an experience walking down the Rue de la Paix, or browsing through the grand stores around Place Vendôme. What wonderful garments I would see – what fabulous clothes they would create in Paris! It would be divine!

What about Paris's fashion scene? Oh, so incredibly glamourous! The ladies would dress to impress! Those dresses would be utterly enchanting, and I do think the tutus are so glamorous too! That feminine charm just pulls you in! It makes you feel so elegant and refined, even while looking casual! It is almost as if they could magically turn a plain woman into a dazzling queen!

You'd see ladies with swooning Parisian style, dressed to the nines in those opulent gowns, adorned with lace, silk and those glorious feathers! All that chic! Oh darling, I would be simply delighted with an experience like that, to truly immerse myself in that glamorous time period!

Oh my, what fashion dreams they would have! I wish we had time-traveler stores! Imagine the treasures that could be found - like all those fabulous, delicate dresses of the past - it would be a time traveler’s paradise!

While I am all for those magnificent and intricate ball gowns of Paris, darling, I have a confession - I have a huge love for ballet costumes, and especially, tutus. There's a real story to them, darlings, beyond being a glamorous piece of fashion.

Here's something fascinating: it turns out tutus didn’t just jump from the stage to the dance floor! It's a journey from dance halls to ballet performance, and I just find that utterly fascinating!

Think back, darling, to those fun ballroom dances that have become classics like the minuet. A stylish dance that used to require women to wear hoop skirts – quite large indeed! Imagine a whole room filled with those – a ballroom like an ocean of ruffles!

These styles later moved into the ballet scene, with ladies like the celebrated dancer, Marie Camargo, who inspired that short tutu I was telling you about. It’s all quite fascinating, isn’t it?

Now you understand why the evolution of the tutu matters, darlings. The stage wear, the dance, it all weaves into the wonderful story of ballet itself! Such lovely inspiration, and all the more reason for me to keep sharing my ballet passion!

My heart skips a beat when I think about what ballet tutus are capable of! They've taken so many different forms throughout history, so imagine the future! With their endless possibilities for different colours, fabrics, designs… oh my!

They are always adapting! This is exactly what makes tutus so fantastic! You can always wear one, no matter your style! I do love tutus, even for everyday life. The short tutu for casual everyday wear! Oh my! That's a fashion idea I simply have to make happen! I believe every woman would be transformed by the experience!

And now, darling, it’s time for my time traveler's diary entry. It seems my travels will bring me back to my beloved England, to a delightful performance at the Royal Opera House. Imagine – Covent Garden - London - it will be just splendid!

To experience the wonderful spirit of ballet there for the first time since my time travel began! Imagine that – dancing at Covent Garden! I’ve never been and I would just love to experience the excitement of the grand house!

Imagine the wonder and energy of a London audience, so excited and eager to see a grand show! The dancers - their skill will leave you utterly breathless. Such elegant movements!

So my dear readers, stay tuned, I shall return next #TutuTuesday to share a little piece of the magic that was London’s ballet scene in 1887! I just know we are going to have a lot of fun going through a bit more tutu history, and remember, don't be afraid to wear a tutu out of the studio – let's embrace the tutu! It’s more than just stagewear, darling - It's all about expressing ourselves, and having fun with fashion! Go on, embrace the pink tutu life, darling, just as I do.

Love, Emma

www.pink-tutu.com