#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1925-12-08

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, darlings! It's me, Emma, your ever-so-pink-loving, tutu-obsessed time traveller. And you know what today is? It's #TutuTuesday, which means we're taking a little whirl through the history of our favourite frocks! This week we're twirling back to the 1920s, specifically to December 8th, 1925, a date that saw the rise of the "New Woman" and with it, the evolution of ballet. It was a time of glamour, innovation, and a newfound freedom for women, reflected perfectly in the designs of the time. (And of course, I wouldn't be doing my duty as a #TutuTuesday historian without donning a vibrant pink tutu - this one has adorable little pearl embellishments!)

This is the 4902nd edition of my #TutuTuesday blog, darlings! As I hop back and forth through history I've been learning SO MUCH! The excitement just keeps building as I see the tutu evolve from its humble beginnings to the spectacular masterpieces of today. This week’s post? Well, it’s dedicated to all you budding ballerinas, those who have the “spark” but who aren’t quite ready for that big stage just yet.

But enough of the intro! Grab your favourite cup of tea, maybe a petit four (they are oh so French!), and let's hop into our vintage time machine. We're about to embark on a journey through the swirling history of ballet tutus, 1925 style!

1925! It was a time of big change for women, don't you know? Just like we’re seeing with the incredible ballet stars of today like Misty Copeland and the phenomenal dancers from the Bolshoi and the Royal Ballet, we saw a move towards strength and individuality, particularly in women's fashion. Imagine, darling, women who had been forced into corsets were suddenly freed up in looser dresses!

The influence of the roaring twenties was very much reflected in the fashion, the theatre, and of course, the ballet. It was a time of "flappers" - young women, bold and beautiful, with a definite "don't care" attitude, expressing themselves through their clothes. They embraced the new styles, from shorter, “bobbed” haircuts, to skirts with tassels. And, just as it was then, fashion still drives us to create amazing new looks with the most daring cuts and stunning colors.

But where did it all begin, this obsession with ballet tutus? It all started back in 1832 in a world far away…and just like a ballerina in the wings, I have to save that story for next week, darlings!

In 1925, the ballet tutu began to break away from the tight, restrictive style that had come before. You know those iconic, puffy tutus that are almost as big as a mini-skirt? Well, those didn't truly take flight until the 1930s, so imagine that! Those dancers in the 1920s were still wearing tight skirts made of cotton, sometimes with tulle layers around the legs. It must have felt terribly hot for those dancers, so a little loose fabric in 1925 probably felt like a dream come true!

In fact, I just happened to see a ballet show in Paris last week (did I mention I travel back and forth on the train? It’s quite grand!), featuring ballerinas who looked simply heavenly in what must have been 1925 style tutus. Imagine a long flowing, beautiful skirt, perfectly flowing to every turn and bend. The simplicity was pure artistry! I practically bought myself an outfit straight from the shop next to the theatre (it had beautiful pink sparkly tutus!). I couldn’t help it!

But by the 1940s, we see a massive evolution in tutu designs. The puffy tutu that you know and love came onto the scene, all thanks to a new material called “tulle” You may think this was a revolution - because for many of us, a full, big tulle tutu is the ultimate! They had been using nets and materials from France, Spain, and England. It all combined into this incredible fluffy design that we’ve all come to love and admire. Imagine all the fabric! Think of all the sequins! The imagination starts to soar, just as these ballerinas do!

## From Russia to New York, It’s the "Pink Tutu Era!"

There’s so much I can tell you about how the world took hold of this iconic outfit! From Russia, all the way to America, and from stage to street. The ballerina tutu became a fashion icon all its own! It was, and still is, more than just an outfit, it's a symbol of grace, elegance and artistic expression. In fact, the dancers back then and the modern dancers now were breaking out in their beautiful pink tutus – you can't deny it, that colour just works so well!

You know, I sometimes think of the first ballerinas to wear this beautiful garment - can you imagine their excitement? How incredible it must have felt! So I've got to find those amazing first ballerinas! Do you know them, darlings? Let me know if you find their stories! You can contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I always love to hear from you, my little tutu angels!

Just think, darlings, those iconic puffy tutus have only been around for about eighty years - what a short amount of time considering what they mean to the dance world! And that’s not even considering all the time those dancers have spent perfecting the art of wearing them! Think of all the stories that a tutu has seen, all the memories captured in the delicate folds of that beautiful fabric! Just the other day I watched a fantastic street ballet performance! Imagine seeing these wonderful performers in these extravagant clothes, in their flowing skirts, and dancing right on the pavement.

The truth is, I couldn't possibly imagine where the tutu might go in the future. It’s fascinating, truly! Maybe, someday, all our clothing will be infused with magical "twirling" qualities that mimic those wonderful ballet movements. Just imagine how beautiful it would be, and think how easy it would be to feel as graceful as a ballerina. You wouldn't even have to worry about falling - you’d just glide! Just imagine it! The future of the tutu could even bring us new fabrics like ones that shimmer and change color, maybe like holographic ones with amazing metallic accents. Perhaps it will even go beyond dance, to the world of fashion for all sorts of occasions, like a dressy night out! Maybe we'll even get to see tutu fashion that lights up in the dark. It's really only a matter of time until we'll be seeing those fabulous tulle gowns floating down red carpets.

Just remember, darlings, the pink tutu is a celebration of all things beautiful and elegant, both on and off the stage. It represents artistry, confidence, and pure joy, so wear your pink tutus proudly. We'll see you again next week, my little ballerina angels! Remember to share all your favourite ballet tutu stories with me. Don't forget to check back in for next week's post on the origin of the ballerina tutu – you’ll want to get comfy, darling, it’s going to be a wild ride!

Yours always in the pink,

Emma