#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1959-06-09

Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your Tutu Tuesday blogger, back again to bring you a delightful delve into the history of this most glorious garment! As usual, my darling pink tutu is perfectly fluffed and I’m sipping my tea in my favourite ballet-themed teacup whilst tapping my pink ballet slippers excitedly! This week, my time-travelling toes have transported me back to 1959 - a year bursting with style and just brimming with those fabulous fashion trends we’ve come to associate with the Fifties!

I have to say, the girls here in the US really know how to dress! Just picture this: It’s a crisp summer morning in New York City and a chic young woman steps off the train, the sun catching her fabulous circle skirt, as her petticoat peeks out ever-so-slightly with a playful puff. But it’s not just skirts that are turning heads. Why, those little ballerinas in their beautiful tutus just radiate joy - it’s enough to make a girl swoon!

But where on earth do these utterly exquisite tutus come from? I hear you cry. Well, buckle up, darlings, as we go on a fascinating fashion journey back through time!

Now, it’s pretty common knowledge that the humble tutu owes a large part of its history to ballet itself! You simply cannot have one without the other! Those beautiful swirling skirts with their delightful puff and twirl factor were born from a dancer’s need for something that wouldn’t snag on the stage, wouldn’t hinder their movement, and, frankly, would make them look spectacular as they leaped and twirled.

Initially, dancers in the 18th century were performing in long skirts, more akin to a regular ball gown than anything else! Imagine that - no leaps, no fouettes, only gracefully curtseying in that enormous fabric! It’s a good thing someone finally said, “Goodness me, this needs a serious rethink!”

By the 1820s, Maria Taglioni had brought to life the first tutu, though her "Romantic tutu" was a much fuller skirt than the sleek, form-fitting number we see today! And wouldn’t you know it? The French ballerina was all about romanticising the dance, using flowy, diaphanous materials like gauze and silk. This became quite a sensation - not least because it revolutionized the look of the ballerina and became incredibly popular across Europe.

Now, darling, if you're looking for real tutu-liciousness, you can't really look past the Victorian era! With all the talk of romanticism, ballet was at the top of the dance world, so it's hardly surprising that this period saw the rise of the "tutu with wings" or the "tutu with drapery"! Imagine: a dazzling confection of feathers and lace swirling around a ballerina's movements - truly, a spectacle of beauty!

And as we entered the 20th century, there was a noticeable shift in the style. By now, tutus had really honed their signature look. With shorter lengths, dancers had more room to show off their athletic prowess, and the beautiful form of their bodies became a central feature! But you know, while those long, extravagant skirts might be a thing of the past, let’s be honest – what could be more magical than a ballerina wearing a simple white tutu on the stage, a truly breathtaking combination of elegance and grace.

So back to 1959, my lovelies, where my dear ol’ Derbyshire accent would be causing quite a stir! While fashion was very much on the elegant side of things, with sleek styles like Audrey Hepburn’s iconic look in ‘Sabrina’ the tutus in 1959 had begun to evolve in a beautiful way.

These graceful tutus weren't necessarily the classical designs of earlier days – in fact, they often featured interesting textures and vibrant colours. Imagine, vibrant blue and even the bold colour, pink, making an appearance! The fabric had also undergone an exciting metamorphosis. While the traditional tulle remained in vogue, ballet costumes were embracing exciting new fabrics like nylon - lighter, more delicate, and perfect for creating flowing movements!

Imagine me in my tutu, doing a pirouette in the middle of a busy American town, and how much fun everyone has - and imagine, those fabulous dancers I saw in New York, those beautiful girls all ready to do an outstanding performance, showcasing the wonderful progress made by these dancers who were not afraid to step into a new decade and take their dancing to the next level! They have shown me that with a little creativity, the tutus of yesterday are all set to flourish and embrace those bold, fresh and playful styles!

It was definitely an amazing time to be a ballerina, my darlings. Now, how about we see if anyone has decided to wear pink, eh? I'm going for a stroll in Central Park, why don't you come with me? 😉

Stay tuned for another fascinating ballet history exploration next week! In the meantime, do give me your thoughts below about 1959 and those daring new trends that made such a fabulous statement.

Love and tutu dust,

Emma xx

www.pink-tutu.com

(PS: I know I may be slightly biased, but, let's be honest - the tutu remains an icon of elegance. It's more than a garment, it's a symbol of grace, movement, and boundless imagination. What's your favourite thing about the tutu?)