#TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History - Post 9754! š©°āØ
Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday blast from the past! Today, we're twirling back to December the 4th, 2018, to explore the wonderful world of the ballet tutu! š
Ooh, darling, can you even imagine a world without the glorious tutu?! I can't! It's like a whisper of tulle, a puff of delight, and a dash of absolute elegance. The ballet tutu has been a key piece of dancewear for centuries and a true icon of feminine grace.
As a little side note, you know I love the colour pink, right? And how much I think everyone should own a pink tutu?! Pink and tutus go hand in hand like scones and clotted cream! Honestly, why wouldn't you want to embrace a life of joy, sparkle, and twirling delight?! āØ
Right then, let's step back in time to 2018! Oh my goodness, such an exciting year for ballet! We had some absolute stunners, with dazzling performances like the Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet - I just adore a good love story. But even more exciting were those new and innovative choreography creations that blew the socks off audiences, showcasing the flexibility and creativity of the ballet world! And guess who was right there in the front row? This gal! I just had to soak up every pirouette and pliƩ.
The most exciting bit? You know how I travel in time? Yep, by dancing! And honestly, my calendar was crammed with gigs that week. It was London one day, then a magical trip by train to see a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The architecture was beautiful, the tutus magnificent - just the inspiration a girl needs to fuel her creativity. The entire experience was magical, especially as it was right before the snowy December weather truly took hold - so utterly picture-perfect, I even wrote a poem about it!
Now, 2018 was the year I started to research how my beloved ballet tutu evolved over the centuries. You know Iāve got to dig into the history behind everything, don't you? I always get so fascinated by the evolution of fashion, and you know I always want to share my knowledge! So, letās have a quick peek, shall we?
A Blast from the Past: Tracing the Tutu's Evolution š©°
Did you know the tutuās earliest roots actually come from the early days of ballet in the 16th century?! Oh, how times have changed! Imagine: skirts that were long, voluminous and quite practical to conceal what was considered indecent back then. It was definitely not the floaty, airy piece we love today! But fast forward to the 19th century and Marie Taglioni, our first major ballet superstar, really redefined what we know as the ballet tutu. Imagine, a beautiful dancer in a light, airy gown, like a fairy who dances on the clouds! She completely changed the way we saw ballet!
I know you're dying to know more, so I'll just jump ahead a little! As ballet became even more refined and dramatic, so did the tutu! Remember that dreamy, billowing skirt with the big, round shape that looked like a cloud?! Oh my goodness, I want one now. It was replaced by the iconic "Romantic tutu" - oh, I adore the romantic tutus, so light and free. And Iāve gotta tell you - they looked simply beautiful in a colour we call white, like an angelic swan floating in mid-air. Imagine how majestic! I can only dream of a world where we all dance on a snowy field wearing only our perfect tutusā¦ thatās a vision of magic!
Fast forward to the 20th century, darling! Our tutu evolution really gets more exciting - you see, now we see a change from the one-piece skirts to separates! And guess what? Now the skirt, or "paquita" is getting shorter! I do love the modern tutus, even if they sometimes remind me of a flapper dancing in a 1920s nightclub! And now, for that final twist, we have *"the tutu-tutu," *also called "The "classical tutu," which features a shorter skirt and that tight, figure-hugging bodice we know and love. Now, thatās my jam!
And can we just chat for a moment about the tutu as a statement of fashion?! Oh my goodness, you can take one simple piece of tulle and transform it into a kaleidoscope of design! From fluffy, graceful creations to edgy and dramatic numbers, there's a style of tutu for every ballerina and for every fashion-forward individual out there! Oh, the sheer joy of experimenting with colour, layering, and embellishments to create a tutu that makes you feel utterly confident and magnificent!
Oh, but my dear readers! This blog post wouldnāt be complete without a special tutu shout-out! Today is all about the pink tutu! Itās the ultimate in feminine and dreamy fashion! I know thereās some that call it āthe ultimate in femininity.ā And while Iām totally down with that, honestly, I donāt believe pink is any more āfeminineā than any other color! But I know we have a ton of fabulous ballet stars, including me, of course! I adore to perform in a hot pink tulle masterpiece thatās sure to steal the show! I must be so careful about wearing pink! All of you look at my outfits and try and buy what I'm wearing, and my stock just doesnāt last!
Now, back to the story at hand! Even though I have a pretty awesome pink tutu collection, my absolute favourite is my vintage āromantic tutuā. Oh, it just makes me feel magical. And as weāve discovered in our little trip down memory lane, tutus are like tiny glimpses of whatās beautiful, dramatic, and playful! So, how do you wear yours? š©°
Here are a few thoughts from me on the matter:
- Get out there and embrace the power of pink, darlings! š Let your inner ballerina shine and rock your favourite pink tutu with confidence. Whether it's a whimsical vintage piece or a chic modern creation, wear your pink tutu with a sassy and cheerful smile.
- And why not just dance your heart out?! āØ Grab a friend or loved one, put on some beautiful tunes, and whirl yourselves into a joyful dance of expression. Lifeās too short not to have some fun and embrace those playful moments of dancing joy, right?
- Donāt forget, you can totally wear a tutu anywhere! Not just at the ballet! Need an outfit for a themed party? Why not take your tutu for a night out? Donāt be afraid to add your own little personal touch! Pair it with some fabulous accessories to really elevate your style and personality.
- Above all, be yourself and have fun with it, ladies! The joy of dancing and feeling free in your tutu is one of the best ways to bring light and happiness into your day. So go forth and shine bright! āØ
Now, Iāll leave you with this quote from the delightful Marie Taglioni, the one and only inspiration behind the "romantic tutu" :
"I will dance like an angel."
So beautiful! Oh darling, I hope this #TutuTuesday has left you feeling inspired, empowered and utterly ready to twirl! š Until next time! Remember:
Get your tutus ready, darlings! Iām out to inspire you to wear yours! āØ
P.S - You can join our #pinktutu community on social media! Share photos of yourself rocking your favourite tutus and let us all inspire each other to embrace the world of dance, fashion, and fabulousity!
Stay safe and stay stylish! āØš