Hello, darlings! Emma here, back again with another peek into the fabulous world of tutu history. This week, weâre taking a little trip back to the late Victorian era â 1895 to be precise! Pack your fanciest parasol and put on your best pink frock because weâre going on a glamorous adventure to Paris!
Now, when we think of ballet today, itâs impossible not to think of those gorgeous tulle masterpieces, isnât it? They're simply magnificent, twirling and swirling, practically dancing on their own! But did you know that the tutus we adore today are actually a relatively recent development? In the late 1800s, the world of ballet was still finding its style!
A Dance Through the Decades
Before we delve into the enchanting world of 1895, let's take a quick ballet time travel tour:
Back in the 1700s, dancers wore quite different costumes! Picture this: long, flowing skirts that werenât very conducive to fancy footwork. Think more "country dancing" than graceful leaps and fouettĂŠ turns.
Then came the early 1800s with the "Romantic Era" and a whole new era of ballet. We see the beginning of tighter costumes that allowed for more movement â the birth of the âtutuâ, although, still far from the dramatic tutus we know and love! They were still long and puffy.
The 1840s were a turning point. The crinoline â that magnificent structured underskirt that gave women a wide and full silhouette - became a vital part of ballet. Now, dancers could create incredible shapes as they moved, and they definitely embraced this trend!
By the 1850s, even the crinoline began to evolve! The âbell-shapedâ tutu made its debut - that enchanting tiered skirt, gradually becoming shorter, giving the illusion of delicate movement!
Enter 1895
So, here we are! Our time machine arrives in Paris, and itâs the fin de siècle. It's all about drama, colour, and excitement, and ballet reflects it. The French theatre, like the rest of Paris, is simply bursting with creativity. There is a new lightness and airiness to dance in 1895, and the costumes mirror this!
What are ballet dancers wearing? The âClassical Tutu" is slowly being embraced. The tutus are a bit shorter and now much more fitted around the hips, almost like a tiny dress â still lots of tiers of tulle, though! Theyâre still mostly white â which I find a little too... blank, donât you?
Dancers now wear a leotard, too! Think tights but in a body-fitting bodice.
A ballerina in the late 1800s could only hope to really get into a true, full, tiered tutu with this new, boneless fabric, called tulle, which makes those stunning swirls possible! But, unfortunately, tulle is still a little on the expensive side. Only the very elite opera houses can afford it.
My Parisian Fashion Fix!
My friends! If you are looking to embrace that Victorian feeling â remember itâs all about those intricate patterns, bold colours, and elaborate embellishments! So go forth! Channel your inner fashionista, let your imagination run wild.
And, if you need any more fashion inspiration? Keep your eyes peeled! Weâll be hopping back in the time machine next week, visiting some other extraordinary fashion moments, right here, every #TutuTuesday.
Donât forget, you can always visit my lovely website â www.pink-tutu.com to chat about all things tutus. Letâs spread the joy of pink!
Stay sparkling,
Emma xxx
