#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2015-07-28

Hello lovelies! 🩰💖 It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, bringing you another installment of #TutuTuesday! Today’s topic? The captivating evolution of the iconic ballet tutu, a symbol of grace, femininity, and utter, utter glamour!

This week, we're travelling back to the 28th of July, 2015 – a Tuesday, of course, because we wouldn’t miss a Tutu Tuesday for all the pink tulle in the world! I'm currently enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of New York City, a city that just oozes ballet brilliance. I must say, there's something particularly magical about watching a show from a box seat at Lincoln Center – it's like witnessing magic unfold on a grand stage. And let's not forget the breathtaking tutus! 💖

Anyway, let's hop on the fabulous fashion train (that’s what I call the train when I'm traveling in time – you know, for all my Tutu Tuesday research, naturally!), and journey back to the origins of this glorious garment!

Did you know, darlings, that the first ballet tutus were not actually the romantic, flowing things we think of today? No, back in the 1500s, these early tutus, or "tuniques" as they were then called, were actually long, flowing garments that reached down to the ankles. These were mostly worn by men – yes, you heard me right! Ballet was a men-only affair back then. Imagine all those men leaping about in elegant silk skirts! 😉

It was the legendary dancer Marie Taglioni in 1832 who truly sparked the tututu-ing revolution, introducing a revolutionary style of ballet - Romantic Ballet, and a revolutionary new tutu. She premiered a new ballet in which she wore a short, light skirt, which she called a “tutu à la grecque” or Greek-style tunic, in her performance of “La Sylphide.” This allowed for greater freedom of movement and highlighted the graceful movements of ballerinas – talk about making an impact!

From this point on, the tutu started to evolve into the stunning garment we know and adore today. Think layered tiers of tulle, soft and billowy – truly the epitome of elegance! The shorter skirts allowed for even greater range of movement, emphasising the breathtaking steps and leaps that defined the ballet. It truly allowed dancers to soar – both literally and figuratively.

Now, fast forward a little, and the tutus really took off, like a prima ballerina taking a leap in the air! They became shorter, lighter and more delicate, moving away from the long skirt, giving us the beautiful ballerina skirts we associate with classical ballet today. And let’s face it, what’s a ballet tutu without the colour? 💖 It started out with white as the traditional colour but we all know that tutus have moved into every hue imaginable, making for beautiful and eye-catching performances, from vibrant crimson and radiant sapphire to glorious, shimmering gold.

And you thought ballet was boring? I could literally spend hours talking about the history of the tutu! It is, after all, such an iconic piece of fashion history – a powerful symbol of dance and movement that continues to enchant audiences around the globe.

Let’s take a minute to appreciate the simple magic of the tutu. It's not just a garment; it’s a symbol. A symbol of dreams, of dedication, of strength, of grace, of beauty, and of artistry. It’s a garment that allows a ballerina to truly fly. 💖 It speaks of untold stories of rehearsals, late nights, and tireless dedication, It represents passion and the unyielding pursuit of perfection.

When I wear my own tutu, I feel a certain strength, an inner power that comes from feeling free and graceful. It's like wearing a magical cloak that empowers you to believe in your dreams, just like a ballerina soaring across the stage. 🩰

And you know, darling, that’s what makes the tutu such an inspiring symbol. It's about far more than just clothes – it's about the spirit of ballet, about artistry, about embraceing the impossible and believing that you can truly achieve anything.

It's about being fearless, about going out there and spreading your wings.

Of course, let’s not forget, tutus are only part of the grand tapestry of ballet. We need the incredible choreography, the incredible talent of the dancers and the heart of the story being told – this all contributes to the awe-inspiring magic that ballet is.

You know, I always get so swept up in the world of ballet - the history, the choreography, the costumes. But, of course, let’s not forget the beautiful performance taking place - that’s what brings all of this history together and allows us to experience this magic. 💖

There is no denying the power of ballet, even if you aren’t a tutu-obsessed, time-traveling ballerina, like myself, 😉

But then again, who wouldn’t be captivated by the sheer beauty and power of a performance with an amazing dancer wearing a flowing, shimmering tutu? I think even the most hard-hearted amongst us can be swayed by the beauty of such a vision!

Stay tuned, lovelies! There’s more to come in our little tutu tour, but for now, you’re free to enjoy your Tutu Tuesday, in all its pink and twirly glory! ✨

And, I am off to enjoy an amazing ballet performance here in NYC – it's “La Sylphide,” that's right, the very performance that sparked this revolution in ballet skirts back in 1832! I am hoping it will inspire me even further to inspire all of you to twirl on out and find your inner tutu-self! 💖

Until next time, my lovelies, Happy Tutu-ing!

Yours in tulle and twirls,

Emma 🩰 💖