#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1898-03-15

Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-obsessed time traveller! I'm back for another dose of tutu history! Today, we're stepping back in time to March 15th, 1898. It's a date steeped in ballet history, but even more importantly, it's a day that gives us a glimpse into the evolution of the Tutu, that divine and glorious garment of dance!

I'm so excited about this post! As a time traveller with a passion for tutus, you can imagine how much fun I've had researching the history of our beloved skirt! Every era, every dancer, and every fashion has its unique take on the tutu, and today, we're diving into the late Victorian era, a time when ballet was changing rapidly!

Remember, my darlings, tutus haven't always been as we know them. Back in the late 19th century, ballet was undergoing a dramatic change. In France, the Paris Opera was becoming a real power-house in the world of ballet! A new era of dramatic choreography and a focus on elegant lines and delicate grace was being embraced. This new way of dancing needed new costumes!

Enter the 'romantic' tutu - think a flowing, voluminous, knee-length, frilled tulle skirt. It wasn't all frills and frippery though, it had an air of poetry and romanticism that added elegance to the balletic lines! This change was spearheaded by the legendary dancer, Marie Taglioni (you all know her - the ethereal muse who swept the world with her dancing!). Her tutu, light and floaty, allowed for an incredible range of motion, and gave the appearance that she was literally soaring above the stage!

Remember that dreamy Victorian aesthetic that loved delicate flowers and flowing fabrics? You can picture the tutu being the epitome of that movement! Think ethereal silk, swathes of ribbons, and delicate, perfectly placed floral embroidery. If there was a flower in existence, the tutu had it, either sewn directly to its fabric or incorporated in the elaborate patterns! It was this sheer loveliness that really started the tutu on its journey to become a true ballet icon!

But remember, dearies, our lovely romantic tutus weren’t the only fashion trend happening at the time! The influence of the popular 'Crinoline era', where hoop skirts dominated the fashions of women’s attire, still had an impact on dance and the way tutu was worn. This means the Tutu, while embracing those flowing layers of romanticism, also sometimes appeared with layers of stiffening fabric and petticoats. This allowed for greater structure and grandeur on stage. Imagine the spectacle!

Here’s something I love to talk about - the tutu’s journey beyond the theatre! Just like modern fashion influences how ballet garments are evolving, back in the late Victorian era, ballet fashion was impacting trends outside the theatre.

You could even find this ‘tutu-esque’ silhouette filtering into mainstream fashion! Imagine it - women wanting to imitate the grace and freedom they saw on stage, embracing that floaty silhouette even on the street! It wasn't just the ballet that was making this look popular. It was also the explosion in ballet performance popularity. I can picture it - ladies flocking to watch the most amazing ballet shows! There was this whole cultural fascination with ballet in Victorian times - a craze I can certainly appreciate, seeing as ballet has captured my heart too!

Imagine those elegant ball gowns that women wore, they started mirroring the delicate layering and fluidity that was present in the ballet tutus of the time. You see, even in the late 1800s, fashion was influenced by what happened in the world of dance!

Well my little darlings, what happened on that fateful day? I found that the famous “La Bayadère” by Marius Petipa - an utterly gorgeous ballet with breathtaking music - was performed at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia! Imagine a room full of beautiful women in all sorts of lavish gowns and hats, watching these divine ballerinas gracefully dancing in those breathtaking tutus, and feeling that same sense of grace and elegance wash over them! It makes my heart skip a beat just imagining the grandeur of such a spectacle.

So, you see, darling, the late 19th Century was a true 'golden age' for tutus, especially for that romantically beautiful ballet that still influences what we wear and dance in today.

So what’s a modern-day tutu lover to do with all this inspiration? Well, for this #TutuTuesday, let’s embrace those elegant and timeless ballet fashion influences, my lovelies! Here are some ways to wear your love of ballet, right here and now!

1. Romantic Flouncy Skirt – Go all out Victorian chic with a light and delicate maxi-skirt. Think flowing tiers, subtle prints and beautiful laces. It will be perfect for that stroll in the park, a picnic with your girlfriends or an afternoon shopping spree!
2. The Ballet Wrap - We all know ballet loves beautiful and light materials! How about trying a delicate and drapey silk or satin scarf? Wear it as a shawl, as a headband or even try a tutu-esque ballet ribbon belt!
3. Add Some Tutu-Style Flair To Your Outfit! For a touch of vintage ballet beauty, think about a lace choker, a satin headband, a brooch shaped like a tiny dancing ballerina... the possibilities are endless, dear ones!

Remember, fashion is an adventure - just like time travel! We can embrace every era with a touch of grace, elegance, and just a hint of playful flair! And never forget your trusty tutus, because they’re not just fashion, they’re an art form!

Remember to tag me on your fashionable photos, my lovely ladies! I adore seeing you all in your beautiful clothes!

Until next Tuesday, darlings, stay stylish!

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com