#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2021-02-16

Hiya darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things sparkly, twirly, and oh-so-fabulous! Today’s #TutuTuesday is all about taking a journey through time – but naturally, we’ll be doing it in the most fashionable way possible: by exploring the history of our beloved ballet tutus!

A little bit about me: I’m Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast from the heart of Derbyshire. You’ll often find me pirouetteing down cobbled streets, dreaming up new ways to wear a tutu (they are so versatile, you know!) and gleefully hopping on trains to see the latest ballet shows and fabulous fashion. My mission, should I choose to accept it? To get the entire world wearing pink tutus, one twirl at a time!

Now, onto our historical adventure!

Let's rewind the clock back to the 16th century, darling! Imagine a world of glittering court dances, where royal ladies swished and swirled in flowing, elaborate gowns. And there, in the heart of that grand fashion scene, you have the early, early origins of the tutu! It's a little hard to tell where exactly the inspiration came from - was it a flamboyant hoop skirt, a whisper of a veil, or maybe a glimpse of flowing drapery? The precise answer remains a mystery!

What is certain is that tutus emerged gradually, gaining definition with each new dance style and societal shift. Fast forward a few centuries, and we find the tutus becoming much more structured and streamlined, taking on shapes that accentuated the dancer's movement. This was partly fuelled by a desire for elegance and a touch of that classic je ne sais quoi – think ballet steps being perfected and gaining more intricate moves! We're starting to get closer to that tutu we recognise today, girls!

And then, darling, came the age of romanticism! Around the early 19th century, ballet experienced a real creative burst. Suddenly, movement wasn't just about formality. It was about portraying emotion, weaving stories, and using the entire body to tell a narrative. It was as if the ballerinas' emotions were bubbling up and demanding a physical expression, leading to a beautiful exploration of expression and grace. This coincided with an explosion of experimentation in fashion! Imagine, girls, delicate, tulle, becoming the heart of ballet. Suddenly, we're moving from the traditional tight-fitting dresses to lighter, airier creations.

Now, don't get me wrong! I love a good traditional ballet look - that streamlined, perfectly shaped bodice - and a hint of Victorian elegance can be so chic! But there's just something extra about a voluminous tulle tutu – doesn’t it just scream "poetry in motion”? It creates this magnificent visual spectacle – as if the ballerina is defying gravity itself, soaring and twirling as if on clouds. And it just allows the dancer to move with that stunning grace that makes ballet such an emotional art form.

Talking of that dreamy ballet vibe, how could I possibly leave out the role of “La Sylphide”? You've probably guessed, darlings: it changed everything! In 1832, it debuted with this remarkable creature of mythology and the legendary Marie Taglioni, a ballet dancer so talented she had a real influence on fashion trends (like our dear Coco Chanel a century later! ). This beautiful performance revolutionized ballet choreography – making lightness and flow its key elements. The "Sylphide" ballet costume featured an incredibly airy, flowing tutu that helped accentuate these delicate, fluid movements, setting a precedent that redefined the ballerina's look.

The “La Sylphide” style sparked the design of the Romantic Tutu. Picture this: it’s longer, flowing gracefully down, adding to the delicate, airy aesthetic. Imagine it sweeping through the air as the ballerina dances, creating a mesmerising effect! The dancers looked absolutely angelic, and we’ve got "La Sylphide" to thank for giving the ballet tutu that magical, dreamlike quality, girls. No wonder it became such an iconic look!

This week's #TutuTuesday is taking us back to February 16th, 2021. The fashion world was buzzing then! It's a date I distinctly remember, as it was the day the highly anticipated Paris Fashion Week started! Fashion designers from all over the globe strutted their stuff and unveiled their stunning collections. And can you imagine, darlings, the excitement – from bold, vibrant street style to runway trends pushing boundaries of what was considered elegant and beautiful. And then you have this ethereal ballet look – timeless elegance, refined beauty, it was truly captivating!

But I'll tell you, there is nothing like ballet for inspiring the love of a tutu! From those first dainty ballet steps as a child, learning about poise, artistry, and how to command a stage with elegance, it just sparks this feeling of love for the craft. Ballet's graceful fluidity always sparks inspiration for me in my everyday life - for that effortless chic I look for in clothes, in my tutu collection, and in the confidence to be just a touch different in how I approach fashion!

So there you have it, lovelies - the enchanting story of the tutu, from its humble origins in the royal court to becoming the embodiment of romanticism and graceful elegance on stage. This delightful little fashion element just continues to capture my heart with its charm and artistry! Now tell me, do you have a favourite era of tutu fashion? Leave a comment below and let’s have a fabulous fashion conversation. I just adore seeing how everyone finds a way to personalize their tutu style.

See you all next week for more tutu adventures, darling! Until then, twirl on and embrace your inner fashionista! 💖

Emma xx