Hey darlings! It’s Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, here, and I'm back for another installment of our #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! This week, I'm taking a trip back in time to 25th July 2000 - what a fab date! Just picture it: the sun's shining, the air's buzzing with the excitement of the summer holidays, and the scent of fresh-cut grass fills the air. Just divine, don't you think?
As a proper fashionista and ballet enthusiast, there's something truly magical about travelling through time. Imagine popping on your trusty pink tutu, hopping onto a steam engine train (because they’re so chic), and arriving in a completely different era, full of dazzling outfits and intriguing stories. It's all thanks to my fabulous performances on stage - they fund my travels! Plus, the train journeys give me ample time to sketch out my latest blog post ideas. 😉
And you know what? There's no better time to travel through the pages of history than on a Tuesday. You see, for us, every Tuesday is a #TutuTuesday! I'm so thrilled you're here with me to explore the history of this iconic piece of dancewear!
Now, before we embark on our historical journey, let’s take a moment to appreciate our own beloved tutu. For those who haven't heard of it, it's a wonderful little dance costume. They say the first real tutus, with their dramatic billowing shape, made their debut around the mid-1800s. Prior to that, dancers were swathed in layers upon layers of tulle, making graceful movements practically impossible!
Speaking of grace, can we talk about this amazing outfit for a moment? It's truly the epitome of femininity and elegance. Every pirouette, every leap, every graceful arabesque - a tutu elevates every move to a new level of artistry and beauty. It's just so utterly captivating! I can’t resist it – it makes me twirl just thinking about it! 💖
So, let's travel back to 25th July 2000 and see what tutu trends were sweeping the stage and the fashion scene!
I remember this time vividly; I was on my first ever trip to see Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House. It was just amazing! The dancers, the music, the sets! They truly knew how to bring magic to life on the stage. Now, I’m not talking about a glitzy and sparkly production here - not yet - although that is something I’m dreaming of adding to the Swan Lake scene in the future. I love the romanticism, the story, the incredible technical prowess - and oh, how I dream of those beautiful, ethereal, tutu moments on the stage!
That summer of 2000 was all about the traditional romantic tutu – just picture delicate layers of white tulle that danced and twirled with each move. A perfect vision for those Swan Lake swans! The beauty of the tutu lies in the delicate details. Just imagine the layers of tulle, so light and airy, it's almost like they float! They swirl and twirl with every movement, creating a dream-like, enchanting spectacle.
But beyond the stage, fashion was taking notice, too! Remember how pink was all the rage in 2000? It was literally everywhere, and it was popping up in the most adorable outfits. Now, I have to confess, pink is one of my absolute favourite colours - it's simply fabulous!
In 2000, a little hint of ballerina style snuck into the everyday fashion scene. This was just before the "balletcore" fashion revolution! The fashion world loves a bit of ballet-inspired loveliness! Think satin ribbons, floaty fabrics, and even those amazing little ballerina flats - such a cute style! We've got the classic black satin ribbon tied into a bow for those super cute, chic moments, but if we’re going for pink, you’ll find me strutting the street in a blush-pink satin ballet shoe – they are simply the cutest things!
Speaking of style, did you know that tutus are also popular on the high street? Just last year, a famous fashion store even put a cute pink tutu in its window display! Talk about making a statement! It was like a fairytale come to life – perfect for a touch of whimsy.
Now, you wouldn't necessarily wear a pink tutu out shopping (although…I might! I’d totally rock it!), but it’s so lovely seeing these fabulous, girly, and chic little tutus being celebrated across fashion, theater, and on our streets. I really do believe that a touch of pink magic in everyone's life makes the world a more delightful place, and my motto is Every day is a #TutuTuesday!
But back to our #TutuTuesday timeline!
Here’s a little more about the historical side of things:
The tutus worn back in the 1800s - those early, super fluffy and wide ones, they weren't just pretty; they were part of a fashion revolution. Imagine all those yards of tulle. So, you know how we now admire the airy elegance of a ballet dancer? Well, those puffy tutus allowed dancers to move freely for the first time.
But over time, those early tutus changed into something a bit different, allowing for even more exciting dance styles to come into their own! They became more slim, but still full of movement - like a feather swirling in the wind.
So what’s this meant for us today? Today's ballerinas enjoy tutus with tons of shape and volume. Just imagine – some of those tutus even reach five tiers! The tutus used today are definitely more glamorous than their original ancestors. Just think of all the fancy fabric techniques used to create all those textures and colours. It’s like a work of art in itself!
If you’ve made it this far in our post today, thank you so much! Your continued support for this blog is so much appreciated!
It's been an amazing journey through time today - we’ve delved into the history of the tutu and celebrated its magic. But hey, I'm no expert – there's still a whole load more for me to explore and for you to learn, so stay tuned for more Tutu Tuesday blog posts.
You’ll also find some gorgeous pics of my travels across this page (and I might just pop up in my favourite pink tutu) so remember to follow this blog on social media! It’s a real party! Until next time, darling…keep twirling and stay beautiful!
With love, Emma
P.S. I hope to see you here next week when I explore tutu-trends in the world of contemporary dance!
