Post #3029: January 14th, 1890
Hello lovelies, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday!
As a ballerina and lover of all things pretty and pink, I simply adore delving into the history of tutus. Today, we're taking a train ride through time to 1890, where fashion was full of dramatic bustle and flouncy frills. Now, I know you all love the iconic tutu, the one with the tiered layers of tulle. But in 1890, tutus werenāt quite so ā¦ well, tutu!
Thatās because the iconic, airy tutus that we know and love didnāt really come about until the 20th century! I can already hear you all gasp! āEmma, what?! How can that be?ā But fear not my darlings, even in 1890, there was an abundance of tulle and frills, just not quite in the form weāre used to.
On this lovely January 14th, 1890, there wasn't much to write home about for the world of tutus - we had some romantic ballets, but the dancers werenāt really wearing the fluffy wonders we recognise today. It was an era of lavish costumes, to be sure, with long flowing skirts and elegant bodices. But think more romantic Victorian silhouettes, rather than our modern airy creations.
A Ballet Whirlwind: Back to Victorian Times
So, what were the ladies wearing in those early ballets? Well, the 'tutus' were more like long, romantic dresses. We saw a lot of flowing silk and satin, sometimes with a little lace, creating that classic feminine and ethereal look. They certainly had some sparkle and shine to them - think sparkling sequins and metallic threads, creating dazzling performances. But these ātutusā were quite long, still, more a dance costume for those long, elegant ballets.
It's amazing to think how these elegant, Victorian-style dresses would have looked against the grandeur of the stage, the glittering chandeliers, and the dramatic costumes of the era. Imagine it - all the shimmering fabrics, the rich colours, the beautiful movements and intricate choreography! Now, thatās something that never goes out of style!
An Early Taste of the Tutu
However, the little ballerina in me has to point out a certain ā tutu-likeā moment from 1890. Think about those stunning Spanish dances, you know the ones I'm talking about! The costumes used in those performances already had that shortened, skirt-like form that resembles the beginnings of what we recognise as a tutu. It wasnāt full length, and there was lots of flowing, layered fabric with the use of flounces, it felt a little bit tutuesque, no? It certainly made for very pretty and energetic movements!
Iād be remiss if I didnāt mention the rising ballerina superstar of the time, La Argentina, born Argentina Antonieta De Arellano. She had a style so distinctive and captivating. La Argentina often appeared on stage with the shorter dresses, often in bold patterns, evoking Spain and itās beauty, very fitting with the passionate style of the music of the time! Itās this movement towards shorter skirts and dance-focused costumes that really sets the stage for our beloved tutu to blossom.
The Evolution Continues:
And it really was a slow process. It's like fashion history always reminds us, things don't happen overnight. You see glimpses of the tutuās evolution ā the shortenings of the skirts, the use of light, airy fabrics, and then eventually those breathtaking multiple layers that create the whirlwind of a tutued movement we adore!
Coming up Next week: The Early 1900s & The Rise of the Tutu!
Tune in next week my lovelies! I'm heading to 1901 for next weekās #TutuTuesday post, and I'll be taking you all on a glamorous journey to discover more about the rise of the tutus we know and love! We'll also be getting a bit more contemporary in the look, donāt you worry! Itās going to be an absolute blast!
Remember, my darling ballerinas, donāt forget to add a touch of pink to your wardrobe and always dream big and dance your heart out! I'll see you all next Tuesday!
With love and lots of tutus, Emma x
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