#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2018-08-14

Hello lovelies! Welcome back to another week of #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com. Today's a particularly special day - it's 14th August, 2018! Can you believe we're already in August?! Feels like summer just started.

Now, before we embark on our time-travelling ballet journey, let's get all girly and glamorous! I'm sporting a dreamy pink tulle tutu, adorned with iridescent sequins. I mean, how else can a girl travel through time? A splash of pink and a swish of tulle always seem to work wonders, especially when exploring the world of ballet history!

And this week, my darlings, we're headed to… Paris! Imagine it, cobbled streets, delicious pastries, and of course the Eiffel Tower, all whilst soaking up the atmosphere of Parisian ballet. You could say it's a pretty romantic affair, don't you think?

So, grab a glass of chilled pink lemonade and settle in, as we delve into the past of the ballet tutu!

Before we jump into those iconic white tutus, we need to rewind back to the days of, well, not so much tutu. Imagine this - our early ballet dancers, mostly men in those days, dressed in pretty regular, even everyday, clothing. Then came the ballet slipper, a miracle invention that freed up those dancing feet. But they were still wearing hose and long, floppy breeches - hardly the whimsical look we have today!

Enter The Italian Commedia dell’Arte, that theatre tradition which brought so much vibrant costuming and slapstick humour! It was this influence that added the colourful, expressive costumes we associate with ballet, but still no tutus! These were all skirts or even bloomers - not quite the fluffy wonders we're dreaming about.

Okay, hold onto your sparkly headbands, because this is where our story really takes off. The early 19th century - the Romantic era - in ballet brought a revolutionary change! Imagine our beloved, dainty ballerina characters with light and graceful movements. The Romantic era made that vision a reality.

Now, tutus, though not fully what we know them as, started to take their shape! Longer, flowy skirts, made of lighter fabrics, began to highlight the ballerinas' elegant movement. It wasn't a 'one tutu fits all' scenario, but you could say it was the first hint of that airy, graceful shape we know and love. And those Romantic heroines like Giselle? Their long, flowy dresses are essentially forerunners to our iconic tutu.

Moving on to the mid 19th century, and bam! The tutu's transformation is just about complete. It's still a little longer and heavier, but that shape - that elegant bell or cone shape we associate with a tutu - that's really starting to shine.

This is also when we start to see white becoming the dominant tutu colour! It was considered so pure, and perfectly highlighted the ballerina’s graceful form. Just picture Marie Taglioni - a star ballerina of this era - with her dazzling, yet understated, white tutu. Iconic, darling! It's those very principles that continue to inspire ballets today, you know!

And if you ever need more inspiration for your pink tutu wardrobe, think ballet in the 20th century! It was then that those whimsical short tutus were embraced, which let dancers move even more freely. Those amazing layered tulle designs, perfect for twirls and pirouettes, came about in that era. This time also saw bold, vibrant colours, not just pure white. Imagine those bright, beautiful ballet costumes you see today!

Fast forward to 2018! We're sitting right in the heart of Parisian ballet, watching dancers gracing the stage. Today, we can experience all kinds of tutus. The classic white tutu, elegant and timeless, as well as the shorter tutus with layers of frilly tulle. There’s even the “ballet skirt”, which adds a sophisticated flair, even sparkles for a bit of glitz!

Remember, darlings, that tutu journey we've taken? From long, heavy gowns to those super light, graceful silhouettes, it’s been a truly beautiful transformation. But remember the very first days, where they wore everyday clothing? Who knew the simple ballet skirt would evolve into a work of art, a symbol of elegance, and of course, pink-tutu-worthy!

I can’t help but smile, picturing myself performing in a Parisian ballet, dancing alongside dancers in those wonderful costumes. The air would be full of music, lights, and the sheer joy of ballet. Oh, and of course, I wouldn’t miss the chance to visit a Parisian fashion boutique or two, to find a stunning new pink tutu. Who doesn’t love a little retail therapy?!

I’ll leave you with this, darlings! No matter how much the world of fashion evolves, there’s no doubt that the tutu will forever be the star of ballet, a testament to artistry, movement, and that essential touch of magic.

So, tell me, my dears, what do you think about the history of the tutu? Have you seen any stunning ballet performances lately? Share your stories in the comments!

And, if you want to get a little tutu-obsessed, why not check out these Parisian fashion boutiques?

• Le Petit Atelier Couture: They create dreamy, handcrafted tutus perfect for aspiring young ballerinas!
• L'Atelier d'Isabelle: This boutique has exquisite tutus that will make you feel like a Parisian princess!

Now, get out there, twirl those tutus, and remember that ballet, fashion, and a little bit of pink make the world a much more fabulous place!

#TutuTuesday #ParisianBallet #PinkTutuDreams