#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1946-04-30

Hello, darlings! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com - your one-stop shop for all things ballet and tutu-rific! I’m your ever-so-pinkly clad time-traveling fashionista, Emma, straight from the heart of Derbyshire, England. This is blog post number 5966, and today we’re whisking ourselves back to 1946, April the 30th to be exact, to chat about the enchanting evolution of the ballet tutu.

A Ballet Blast from the Past

This date is special, my dears, because on this very day in 1946, a real gem of a ballet, La Sylphide, premiered at the Royal Opera House in London. Can you imagine?! Imagine the flurry of silk and satin, the swirling leaps, the ethereal grace…La Sylphide is considered a true masterpiece of romantic ballet, and I just had to mention it because the ballet tutu has been ever-present throughout its journey from humble beginnings to a bona fide fashion icon.

You see, 1946 wasn’t quite the tutu-laden landscape it is today. The romantic tutus we see nowadays with their billowing, diaphanous skirts - they were quite the fashion statement then! In 1946, tutus were often shorter and tighter, sometimes more fitted to the body.

Whirlwind of Style

Think back, if you will, to the days of Marie Taglioni! She’s the one credited with popularising the now iconic romantic ballet tutu in the 19th century, her long, floaty white tutus changing the ballet world for good. They revolutionised ballet, not only by adding elegance and ethereal grace but by liberating the ballerinas’ movements, allowing them to take flight and express their artistry with newfound freedom. It's quite a change from the long, full skirts that were standard up to then!

A Tutu Timeline - Past to Present

Let's take a quick journey through tutu time:

18th Century

Think heavy, multi-layered gowns – imagine dancing in a ball gown, my dears, with no chance for pirouette or grand jeté! That was the reality for dancers back then. Not exactly tutu-ific, was it? They did have a shorter version of these skirts, called *chaussons.

19th Century

This was the tutu's big moment! Marie Taglioni swoops in and, let’s say, it was an absolute tour de force for the romantic tutu, and the rest is history! Long, white, and airy, the romantic tutu brought lightness, grace, and a whimsical feel to the ballet world.

Early 20th Century

Enter the Classical Tutu! This style became known for its structured, fitted bodice, short and stiff skirt and a touch more “classical” feel - still very much inspired by romantic tutu ideals, just with more tailoring and form.

Mid 20th Century

And here we are, my lovelies! We start seeing tutus of all lengths and styles, often influenced by specific choreographies and ballerinas. Remember Margot Fonteyn, the beloved ballerina who made the *Classical tutu * a masterpiece of movement and elegance, a truly stunning figure in a graceful silhouette? And the introduction of new materials, lighter and easier to work with - what a fashion revolution!

A Tutu Today

It’s a veritable tutu tapestry! All those classic designs, all the contemporary styles… everything from dramatic, extravagant multi-layered tutu masterpieces to the chic simplicity of a contemporary ballerina in a short* * tutu,** moving with incredible agility and poise. There’s no single answer, my dear readers, it's the incredible variety and creativity of modern ballet that truly make the tutu such a dynamic fashion icon!

Pink Tutus & Traveling by Train

Oh, my dears, this little pink princess can’t help but wonder… what a marvel of style the pink tutu is! Don’t you agree? There is truly nothing that makes a dancer feel as fabulous as a shimmering, delicate, pink, cloud of a tutu, or is it a dress? No, definitely a tutu, all those layers of tulle just call for a good *whirl! *

The train journey * I took back to this wonderful day in 1946 was pure delight. It truly makes the most fantastic change in the scenery when you travel by train, my dears, everything seems so romantic and magical. It made my pink tulle extra fabulous! The sights and sounds are truly inspiring, and so very good for sparking those creative tutu ideas! *

Tutus on Stage and on the Streets

You know, tutus aren’t confined to the grand theatres of the world! There’s a wonderful movement in ballet fashion and fashion itself - ballet streetwear. The graceful flow, the charming details – you can incorporate it into all sorts of fashion styles: ballet sneakers, dance-inspired garments, tulle skirts with every shade of pink imaginable.

And, let’s not forget the tutus of the stage! They make their grand entrances at all sorts of events, whether it's a grand theatre or a ballet class. My time travel adventure even landed me right in the middle of the Royal Opera House in London - I had to see the dancers on stage with my own eyes! The way they moved, the music, it just felt so beautiful, so powerful!

So there you have it! This is #TutuTuesday, #5966. And I’ll say it again, nothing makes a woman, or a girl, or anyone, feel more like a dancing queen than a beautiful pink tutu ! You can take it from me! Now, if you’ll excuse me, dear readers, my pink tutu is calling.

What’s next? What era should we explore? Let me know your favourite tutu eras in the comments. And please remember, even if you’re not a ballerina, there's a pink tutu for everyone out there. Embrace your inner dance, wear a tutu and let the joy of movement and fashion twirl through your life!

I’ll see you all next #TutuTuesday! Until then, keep those twirls fabulous!

Love,
Emma xx