#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2018-12-18

Greetings, darling readers! Emma here, your very own tutu-loving time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another historical fashion adventure! Today, on this most magical of Tuesdays (did I mention I love Tuesdays?), we're taking a trip to…well, it's technically December 18th, 2018, but where are we in the world? Honestly, you tell me!

I've just hopped off a delightful train journey, a grand carriage-style express I must say, where I've been gazing at the twinkling lights of London and humming along to some catchy Christmas tunes. Speaking of London, this city is a ballet lover's dream! There's just so much to see, so many beautiful shows and even more stunning outfits. The other day I spotted a lady on Oxford Street wearing the most fabulous, full-skirted tutu in a vibrant emerald green, paired with a sparkling diamond necklace. You see, darlings, that's what I call a real #tututuesday look!

But for this journey, we're not focused on present-day London. Oh no, we're going further back in time, just a couple of hours to be precise, back to this glorious 18th December 2018, where we can uncover some tutu secrets. Let's grab our time machines (aka, my vintage suitcase full of tutus and my imagination), and dive into history!

Now, darling readers, I bet you're wondering about the first tutu ever, aren't you? Well, brace yourselves, because the truth might surprise you! Before the light, fluffy tutu that graces every stage today, the ballet world was ruled by the* long tutu, a sweeping, full-length garment reaching to the ankles, quite frankly, an absolute fashion disaster! Imagine all that fabric twirling and swishing on stage – a veritable nightmare for a delicate dancer! It was the *en pointe moment for restrictive fashion, believe me.

However, don't be fooled! This lengthy predecessor paved the way for the modern tutu we know and love. You see, ballet, during its early days, was largely rooted in courtly dance, and those long skirts were all the rage amongst the ladies. The ballerina, just like the queen, was the epitome of elegance and refinement. She was expected to move gracefully with dignity and poise, not fling those feet around in exciting pirouettes and grand jetés! Oh, how I pity them, poor things!

Now, before I go down a rabbit hole about 19th century fashion woes, let's fast forward to our magical date, the 18th of December, 2018, because we have some exciting revelations coming!

So, darling readers, imagine if you will, a theatre filled with twinkling lights and vibrant colours, with the hum of excitement buzzing through the air. Tonight's the night! The Royal Ballet is putting on a grand performance, a stunning masterpiece of a show – The Nutcracker, none other! This legendary Christmas tale, beloved by dancers and audiences alike, transports us to a world of sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers and the magical land of Sweets.

Today, I'm lucky enough to be a member of the audience, and I tell you, I am simply giddy with anticipation! But as I sit in the plush theatre seats and watch those captivating dancers, let's delve deeper into the story of the tutu. What's going on in the world of tutus today?

The short skirt revolution we all love - a huge trend back in the 1830s!

Imagine a tutu. Now picture a shorter tutu. Now a skirt barely skimming the ankles. Now picture the most elegant dancer ever. And bam! That is a pretty much perfect description of the revolutionary "short" tutus, as well as the elegant, effortless dancers.

The revolution I am describing, is about how dancers got to do their stuff. No more bulky layers and restrictions. More focus on dance technique and athleticism, but what's going on behind this beautiful ballet world of beauty and talent?

It's been a bumpy ride for the tutu, dear readers. And a road of exploration. Like this! It was a Frenchman, the brilliant Marius Petipa in the 19th century, that pioneered a whole new style of ballet. And with that came the rise of the Romantic Ballet. And, this ballet really put the tutu into its spotlight. The full skirt looked grand and impressive. The romantic ballet was all about dancing, expressive movement and technical prowess, and guess what, tutus were all for it. But that look was an ever-evolving creation. In the Victorian age, dancers wanted to give the effect of having wings. So, they started to use tutus in very dramatic designs and they got very popular with the crowds in this age! It wasn't just fashion either - It was about expression. Ballet evolved - the tutus got smaller, and ballerinas were really able to move, which was what dancers had always dreamed of. It is very exciting, but the Victorian era tutus also meant it was all about showing off. They could have up to ten yards of tulle per skirt, just to emphasize a flowing look! Just imagine all that lovely material. Divine!

## Today’s Tutus: A Fashion Fusion

Nowadays, darlings, tutus are a staple of every ballet dancer's wardrobe and a popular item for anyone wishing to dress up! We have the Romantic tutu, and also the Classical Tutu, the traditional form with its layered tulle. But we're living in an era where fashion boundaries are blurred and imagination is paramount. Modern dancers love to take inspiration from everything, and this creates a melting pot of styles! So today, alongside the classical tutus, we have all sorts of creative expressions in dance - Streetwear, Contemporary styles and even the rise of the tutu as a fashion statement, which makes it popular with all kinds of women - artists, and even everyday women, who are happy to get a little tutu time!

So darling readers, the tutu journey continues. Next time, I’ll be exploring how tutus are actually made from their origins to the very detailed, beautiful crafts you find all over the world today! Let's spread a little tutu joy and share the love for ballet! Stay fabulous, darling!