#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2019-08-13

Hiya darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another #TutuTuesday post! Today, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, we're diving deep into the history of the most magnificent garment ever invented - the ballet tutu!

(If you’re reading this on 13th August 2019, let me know – that’s today’s date in my time!)

And, oh my goodness, what a day it is! The sun is shining, a light breeze is dancing through the trees, and the scent of fresh pastries from the bakery down the street is practically intoxicating. What could be better than such a day? Why, spending it with you lovely lot, of course, talking all things tutu!

Today I’m writing this blog post in Paris – oh, the fashion! The cafés! The croissants! As much as I love the quaint little market town of Bakewell where I’m originally from in Derbyshire, the artistic spirit of Paris, the "City of Light" (and tutus!), is just impossible to resist.

Speaking of which… today’s post will delve into the Parisian roots of the tutu – so grab your pinkest tea and your most beautiful ballet slippers, and let’s begin!

**(Don’t forget to check out my Instagram – @TutuTimeTravels - and see my latest pink tutu purchases!)

You know, my dears, for a garment as iconic as the tutu, its beginnings are quite surprisingly humble. Think back to the 18th century - the days of powdered wigs, voluminous dresses, and…wait for it….long, restrictive, floor-length skirts! Talk about a challenge for dancing!

But alas, the Romantic period in ballet, around the mid-1800s, ushered in a new era of fluidity, emotion, and…yes, you guessed it… a change in costumes!

The ballerinas, those incredibly athletic women (my heroes!), longed for freedom of movement, and as much as I adore my layers of tulle (ahem, more on that later!), their attire started evolving into lighter, more flexible designs.

This, my lovelies, is when the "tutu" we recognise today started taking shape! Imagine… graceful, ethereal figures twirling on stage, skirts swirling and catching the light - it’s like magic!

But remember those floor-length skirts? Well, they still had a say! The first versions of the tutu actually evolved from them! It all started with ballet dancer Marie Taglioni, an icon of the era.

Think elegant, delicate movement…Think soft, shimmering white…Think tulle! The Romantic tutu, as it became known, was shortened to knee-length, flowing with layers of tulle, and it truly revolutionized ballet. No longer were dancers hampered by heavy, cumbersome clothing; they were liberated to fly and soar across the stage, and express the emotions of the music in entirely new ways.

It was the start of something spectacular! The beauty of the ballerina, already so striking, was now emphasized by a graceful, almost wispy costume – how chic!

And can you believe… these early tutus had actual corsets and crinolines for structure! The shape wasn’t just from tulle – it required a whole other world of undergarments and structures to give that Romantic, bell-shaped silhouette. Can you imagine?!

Now… take a deep breath… It's time to go shopping for more tulle… I need more for this pink tutu collection.

Moving on, ladies and gents, from the late 1800s through the early 1900s, the tutu went through a bit of a makeover. Enter the "Classical tutu" – shorter, with tighter layers of tulle, and a stronger structure (still with corsets!). This style gave ballerinas an entirely different look and feel. It's no wonder this style remains iconic – sleek, powerful, and with the perfect silhouette to highlight incredible dancing!

Think strong, clean lines…think expressive leaps and turns... Think elegant black for dramatic contrast. And, oh yes, think... that famous, impossibly graceful pirouette that only a ballerina wearing a tutu can achieve. It's a timeless classic, my loves, and with good reason. The elegance of the design, the way the dancer can move and express – it is truly something special! It truly takes dancing to the next level.

Well, my friends, the Romantic tutu is soft, flowy, and long. It's like a dream! The Classical tutu is structured, compact, and a bit shorter. It’s a statement, powerful and sleek, emphasizing athleticism and precision!

I mean, honestly, wouldn’t we all just look fab in one?

And now, my lovelies, imagine a ballet production blending these styles. Picture the elegance of the Romantic tutu intertwined with the strong precision of the Classical style. The difference, the magic, of both – and how they speak to us – the power, the drama! That’s a performance worth writing home about, don’t you think?

Now, my darlings, from the early 20th century onwards, we’ve witnessed an incredible amount of exploration with the tutu – all sorts of different shapes, colours, and styles emerged! I must confess – my favourite time is this period – it's just so full of fun, creative and colourful styles!

The tutu as we know it became the staple costume in most ballet productions, with each production embracing its unique look! There are the "paquita" tutus, for example – think shorter and bushier, almost like a miniature cloud. There’s the "bell" tutu – just so captivating, the way the fullness of the fabric dances!

Let's not forget, the "American" style of tutu - full and flat – this was popularized by the great choreographer George Balanchine, and boy oh boy does it make ballet look powerful, modern, and stylish! And the "Romantic" style continued to be used, especially for famous ballets like Swan Lake.

Don’t forget about the “Spanish” tutu, or the “Giselle” tutu, or the…

…Okay, you get the picture! The world of ballet tutus, it's endlessly creative! And you just have to admit – with every innovation, every style, the sparkle, the grace of a dancer wearing a tutu has just been magnified!

Now my loves, let’s jump ahead to the present! Modern dance, with its daring moves and expressive bodies, continues to break barriers and…and to push boundaries, which leads to more fascinating and innovative designs.

Tutus in modern productions sometimes go without any structure – or, as they often say these days, go au natural! They just move beautifully in a very organic and simple way. Sometimes they use tulle in unconventional shapes or layers, and other times, they take complete creative liberty, using everything from feathers to ribbons!

But here's something fascinating: the tutu has escaped the confines of the theatre!

That's right – it's gone mainstream – I mean, fashion lovers everywhere are embracing its charm. There’s “balletcore” on the catwalks… you know, that whimsical ballet inspired look? Tutus in street style, with gorgeous fashion combinations of classic, chic attire like dresses or shirts, paired with fluffy tutus and statement pink sneakers. *A nod to ballet, and fashion. **

And my heart sings, dear friends! The tutu, that once graced only the stages, now adorns the world, becoming a powerful symbol of individuality and confidence – a delightful statement of love for art and embracing beauty, no matter your style! I hope, someday, that every girl, every one will experience this joy – this incredible power to just look incredible, * to just be so wonderfully themselves *in a beautiful, fluttering pink tutu. It’s time for us all to wear our pinkest heart on our sleeve, or perhaps, on our twirly tulle! It's truly empowering, don’t you agree?

Honestly, I could talk for hours about the history of the tutu and its incredible versatility - just another reason to love these magical, fabulous, awe-inspiring costumes!

So there you have it, my darlings! That’s the #TutuTuesday rundown on how this beloved garment evolved through time! A timeless beauty and an emblem of artistry - what more could we ask for?

And for those of you wondering what’s happening in my time… this day in Paris in 2019 has so much on offer: there's the wonderful Centre Pompidou Museum which is always exciting - so many sculptures, art, design, and incredible photo opportunities for my Instagram, haha! It’s also a great opportunity for a photo-shoot in front of the Eiffel Tower (in my favourite tutu of course). Of course, the Louvre is just a short hop away - an unforgettable experience for any art-lover like me. There’s so much shopping…oh, how I love exploring the Parisian shops!

My lovelies, stay inspired, stay adventurous, and keep twirling, because it's a fantastic day for everything pink and beautiful – in other words, a wonderful day for rocking your favourite tutu!

Until next Tuesday, my lovelies!

Love,

Emma xx

P.S. Do tell me about your favourite tutus in the comments below! What style makes your heart skip a beat? And, don't forget to post your best #TutuTuesday look - I want to see you twirl!

(Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram – @TutuTimeTravels!