#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1928-05-22

Hello darling dears! It's Emma here, your very own tutu-tastic time traveller! Buckle up your pink shoes, grab a glass of lemonade (or perhaps a pink champagne - I wouldn't judge!), because today we're jetting back to 22nd May 1928, and it's all about those glorious, billowing beauties - TUTUS!

As always, I've been flitting through the annals of fashion history for you lovely lot. You know I love a good train journey, and it's the only way to truly experience the romance of those bygone eras! My latest jaunt took me to Paris - the City of Lights, the capital of chic! Imagine a cobbled street filled with beautiful art deco buildings, charming Parisian cafes overflowing with chattering ladies in chic ensembles, and then… BAM! A magnificent grand theatre with shimmering chandeliers and, oh, those TUTUS!

Today, I want to tell you a bit about the tutu’s journey in the world of ballet. It’s a story filled with changes and evolution – a story just as dazzling as the costumes themselves.

Back in 1928, ballet tutus were a world away from the tight, sleek costumes we often see on stage today. Let’s face it - tutus have had quite a whirlwind journey, don't you think? It started back in the romantic era - all frilly, flowing, and romantic, much like those pretty Victorian dresses!

Back then, tutus were all about showcasing those gorgeous ballerina legs - they had tons of layers of tulle, were incredibly long and basically became a huge skirt of a fabric that felt like a dream! You can still see these ‘Romantic tutus’ at some shows, you know! It's truly a testament to the beautiful artistry and timeless elegance of this era.

But by 1928, ballet was starting to become a little more, well, dynamic! Imagine a scene where a graceful ballerina dances across the stage in this billowing cloud of fabric! It was so romantic and whimsical… but the length? Oh, the length! Not ideal for chasséing and pirouetting, I must say.

Enter… the ‘tutu à la Française! Imagine a shorter, fitted, yet still airy, tutu, making graceful movement more manageable! It brought in the elegance and sophistication, whilst adding a new level of dynamism to the dances! The dancers could spin and jump to their hearts' content, their graceful legs beautifully highlighted without all that pesky fabric tripping them up!

Did you know that “tutu” didn’t come into widespread use until the early 1900s? It seems a bit ridiculous to me, as everyone who’s ever seen one knows that the word just fits! This beautiful piece of garment - so effortlessly feminine - is just *THE tutu, *isn’t it? But prior to that, they were just known as “ballet skirts,” a pretty uninspired title, if you ask me. Perhaps someone needed to channel their inner tutunista and give this little beauty the title it deserved.

While the ‘tutu à la Française’ may be considered the standard tutu today, it’s the ‘tutu à la Russe’, which emerged in the 19th century, that’s known for its stunning "powerful grace!" These were a bit different to the airy ‘tutu à la Française’. They were, in a way, shorter and more structured, allowing dancers to exploit their athleticism and express a sense of strength and grace.

You might notice the ‘tutu à la Russe’ has this rather distinctive pointed or bell-shape, a real eye-catcher. Just think - you could wear this to the ballet with a sassy frock and fascinator, and be the envy of everyone!

So there you have it! A little glimpse into the magical world of ballet tutus in 1928! You know what I love about tutus? It’s the sheer joy of seeing those incredible ballerinas transforming the stage! And of course, there's always a touch of pink in there. They embody the grace, strength, and the joy that we all seek to bring to the world.

Who needs an outfit when you’ve got a tutu, darling? It's like wearing a cloud with attitude!

Speaking of pink, that's where I leave you today! Don’t forget to get your pink tutus ready for next Tuesday's #TutuTuesday, and do send your pics in – it would be amazing to see you all in your tutu glory! And I hope, perhaps, if we can keep spreading the word - that one day we might all get to wear our very own pink tutu! Wouldn’t that be divine?

As always, until next Tuesday,

XOXO,

Emma

(And be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com for even more tutu talk, plus all the latest fashion updates from the world of ballet!)