Hello darlings! Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to Vienna – oh, the waltzes, the pastries, the shops! I even snagged the most exquisite, rose-pink tutu at a charming little boutique tucked away in a cobbled side street. It’s absolutely divine – perfect for my next performance at the Royal Opera House, don’t you think?
Anyway, I'm so excited to dive into this week’s #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! I was in Paris last week, strolling down the Champs-Élysées, and a little French gentleman asked me – "Mademoiselle, do you know why we wear tutus?" You'd be surprised at how often people ask me that!
And truly, isn't it a marvel of a garment? It's graceful, flowing, and a perfect stage to showcase a ballerina's artistry. But where did this amazing garment come from, and how did it become so iconic?
From Humble Beginnings...
Well, as with many things, the story begins way, way back. We can trace the evolution of the tutu back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when ballerinas wore long, flowing skirts known as "romances" and "crinolines." Think the billowing, beautiful gowns we see in those grand opera paintings.
A Romantic Revolution!
It was during the Romantic era (yes, the same movement that made swooning over poets and melancholic violins fashionable) that things started to change. The tutus started to shrink!
Remember the iconic image of the ballerina dancing on her toes? That is a big part of why we got the tutu. Ballerinas began focusing on the expressiveness of their legs and feet, so the skirt started getting shortened and layered, to show off all that gorgeous technique!
This meant that dancers needed a different, lighter, more breathable material to work with. Enter the "tulle" – a light, transparent fabric that gave the tutus their iconic, billowing silhouette. It's hard to imagine a ballerina without tulle, right?
Tutu Types:
Now, the world of the tutu isn't as simple as you might think, darlings! We've got all sorts of styles and lengths:
- The Romantic Tutu: Long, billowing layers that float like a dream (it makes you feel so magical! - just try swirling around in one!).
- The Classical Tutu: A shorter, less frilly option that hugs the dancer’s shape.
- The Paquita Tutu: More full-bodied than the Classical, offering a good balance of flow and fitted movement.
- The Contemporary Tutu: Forget those tight, short ones! Think innovative styles, unique fabrics and lots of different layers to reflect new dance styles and give that modern look.
Fashionable Twirls:
Honestly, the tutu isn't just about ballet, darlings! This beautiful garment has taken a life of its own outside the theatre. Don't we all love a playful twirl in a little tutu on a warm day? It's such a happy, free-spirited garment! I've seen amazing tutu-inspired dresses, tutus for everyday wear, and even ones made for roller-skating.
And remember my dearest dream? To get everyone wearing pink tutus? I'm so glad to see this pink fashion fever spreading – every girl needs a little bit of pink, don't you think?
A Glimpse Into 2007
Oh, and today is Tuesday, April 17, 2007. I’m in Derbyshire today, taking in a fantastic performance of Giselle. It’s always inspiring to see a performance filled with tutus – it brings back the joy of my early days as a ballerina. And don't worry, I have an exciting travel plan - I'll be hopping on a train tomorrow morning for a quick trip to Brighton, then heading to Paris for the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Paris – I’m just dying to see what exquisite tutus they've prepared for Swan Lake. If I see anything I like, I’ll share pictures next week, I promise.
Until then, darlings, remember: always have a twinkle in your eye, a song in your heart, and a little bit of tutu in your soul!
Until next Tuesday, keep dancing!
xx Emma
PS. Be sure to check out the latest Pink Tutu blog posts. There are some amazing pink tutus and ballet costumes that I think you'll adore. They're perfect for channeling your inner ballerina!
PPS. Are you having fun on your time travels, dear reader? I've discovered some fascinating facts about ballet and tutus over the years. Be sure to comment and let me know if you have any questions!
PPPS. Remember to share my posts on all your favourite social media channels. We all need to share the tutu love!
