#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2018-12-25

Hey everyone! It's Emma, your pink-tutu-clad time traveller and welcome back to #TutuTuesday! It's post number 9757 for you, which feels quite a lot even to me, but, well, that's what happens when you've got a whole world of tutus to explore, right?!

Merry Christmas, dear readers! Today is December 25th, 2018 and everyone seems to be tucking into a rather yummy-looking roast dinner and watching Die Hard, of all things, while I'm snuggled up in a cosy little cottage in the countryside. You wouldn't believe how easy it was to travel to the year 2018 this week – just a bit of quick thinking and a grand entrance on the stage of London's Royal Opera House (my latest ballet performance – it was a smash!) and I was whisked back in time! Who knew a good pirouette could get you around so easily?!

Speaking of the Royal Opera House, Christmas Day is the perfect time to chat about something really important – the evolution of the tutu! It's always fun to learn about how a dance outfit that embodies grace and elegance changed through history. I'm thinking this little blast from the past will be particularly special today, seeing as it’s a day all about tradition and celebrating things that make us happy.

Now, before we get lost in the glorious world of dance, a little announcement – I’m making my way back to Derbyshire in the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out for some seriously stylish British fashion blogs. I'm itching to explore the vintage clothing shops in my little corner of the world. It's always so much fun to browse through pieces that hold so much history, don't you think? I imagine I’ll find some fascinating details about how ballet has influenced our clothes throughout the years! I’m planning a couple of fab Tutu Tuesday features all about British fashion.

Let's dive back into that fascinating history, shall we? Back in the early 19th century, tutus were anything but what we imagine today! The dancers were swathed in yards and yards of fabric! Imagine those twirls and leaps... I can't even begin to picture how heavy those early outfits must have been.

But change was on the horizon. The famous Romantic ballerina Marie Taglioni – who has become a fashion icon by the way, stunning costumes – became known for her incredibly light and airy style. To create her signature looks, designers started chopping away at the fabric, opting for lighter fabrics, more form-fitting styles and shortened the length, which really made her take flight across the stage.

Of course, that opened the door for more radical experimentation. And you wouldn’t believe what started to happen! Think of the colour pink! PINK!!! Think of bright, vibrant hues on stage! The designers began working with all sorts of fabulous colors – it was like a rainbow explosion across the stage! And don't forget the ribbons and sparkles – it was all about highlighting the dancer's beautiful form and adding extra wow factor.

The end of the 19th century brought with it a change in style. Imagine layers and layers of silk or tulle to create an air of ethereal beauty. Oh, the ruffles and the layers! The shape changed from the iconic knee-length silhouette, to more rounded shapes – you know, something really stunning and glamorous!

The fascinating part is how ballet tutus found their way into mainstream fashion. The 1800s witnessed a complete revolution of dressing, and ballet-inspired outfits were one of the big driving forces! I can see why: who wouldn't want to be reminded of grace and elegance even outside of the theatre?! We were now a world away from those heavy and suffocating layers, instead choosing freedom and flow. It really did revolutionise fashion - the way we think about it today, the layers, the colors, the fabrics… It’s truly all linked to ballet!

Think of tutus influencing everything from bridal gowns to dresses, even modern-day lingerie. Yes, tutus can be so versatile! And they have inspired some amazing fashion pieces through history. It’s easy to see how ballerinas became role models not only in the world of dance but also in the fashion world. Imagine what a statement it must have been back then, all that swish and swathe of fabric!

The 20th century saw another interesting evolution in the history of the tutu – we have the beautiful designs from the likes of Coco Chanel who really pushed those fashion boundaries with their stunningly glamorous take on the ballerina aesthetic. Think of little black dresses with long, floating trains, and beautifully layered skirts. That’s exactly how fashion and ballet collided – creating such incredibly beautiful fashion statements.

In our modern world, we can enjoy all sorts of varieties of tutus, whether it's a classic, graceful silhouette or a bold and modern take on the traditional style. The tutu remains an iconic dance garment and a symbol of grace and beauty that has endured for centuries. It's not just a piece of clothing, but a representation of artistic expression and movement. And for someone who enjoys wearing the tutu so much, it’s just another beautiful way to express oneself!

It’s this feeling that gets me so excited to keep on sharing my stories from the world of ballet! It’s about all of us expressing our own individual style and confidence. It's no wonder the tutu has stayed with us, across so many different generations! I’m pretty confident you won’t be surprised to know I find a modern day tutu, the most stylish, flattering and wonderfully versatile piece of clothing. I simply can't not own every single colour imaginable – from delicate pastels to vibrant neon, they're perfect for any occasion, from dancing in the street to a sophisticated cocktail party!

Oh, I have to go! Time travelling takes up a lot of my day.

Keep on twirling, Emma
xx

P.S. Don't forget to follow pink-tutu.com for more fascinating facts and style advice on all things fashion, ballet and, of course, my favourite piece of clothing… the tutu! And follow me on Instagram @pink_tutu for behind the scenes glimpses of my ballet journey through time and style!