#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2021-09-28

Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back again with another #TutuTuesday blog!

Can you believe it's September already? The days are getting shorter, the air is crisper, and you know what that means...it's almost the magical time of year where ballet classes start back up in full swing. My heart flutters at the mere thought of all the twirling, leaping, and pirouetting ahead of us!

But before we dive into the upcoming season, I wanted to share a bit of ballet history with you lovely lot today. After all, how can we properly appreciate the elegant, flowing lines of a tutu without knowing where it all began? So, hop on the time-travelling train with me, as we waltz through the evolution of the iconic ballerina costume.

Did you know that the humble tutu actually started off as… wait for it… practical undergarments? Gasp! Yes, back in the early days of ballet, ballerinas wore long, bulky, multi-layered skirts that restricted movement and didn't exactly scream “grace.”

But, as ballet progressed, so did the fashion. Enter the late 18th century, and a daring move to streamline and shorten the ballerina’s costume took place. The inspiration? Greek statues. Cue the revolutionary “tutu” – a knee-length, pouffy, skirt that allowed ballerinas more freedom and a sense of airiness that highlighted their grace.

It wasn't long until the romantic, dreamy aesthetic of the Romantic Ballet era (we're talking about the early 19th century here, darling!) took hold, and the tutu started evolving. The fabric became more flowing and less structured, the silhouette became longer, and a sense of effortless grace began to take over. Imagine a swathe of light and fluffy tulle – now that's the look that gets my heart racing!

Fast forward to the late 19th century, and we’re dancing right into the peak of ballet’s golden era. The emphasis shifted towards precision and athleticism, and the tutu, naturally, transformed right along with it. Enter the “Classical tutu” – the tight, shorter, layered skirt that allows for powerful jumps and spins, creating an incredibly captivating visual effect. Just picture the stunning tulle layered to perfection – ooh la la!

Over the decades, variations emerged - from the dramatic tutu worn by the "Black Swan" (cue goosebumps!) to the whimsical and modern take on the costume that brought out the artistic soul of each ballerina. I must say, even when I was galavanting about in Victorian England, the ballet dancers’ costumes caught my eye. A testament to their elegance and beauty – what a spectacle!

Speaking of spectacle, darling, let’s not forget those magnificent, feather-laden tutu-esque costumes! Imagine soaring over the stage, adorned with feathers like a majestic peacock – it's pure magic! They didn’t become popular until the early 1900s, but my goodness, were they a welcome sight!

And now, here we are today, celebrating the tutu in all its forms. Whether you're drawn to the romanticism of the flowing tutu or the bold power of the classical tutu, there’s something utterly charming and undeniably breathtaking about it. They truly encapsulate the grace and artistry of ballet, which is precisely why I'm obsessed with them.

My darling friends, I have a confession to make: I've worn many a tutu in my travels through time. From the elaborate ones fit for a Queen to the practical ones ideal for practice – I have lived and breathed every type you could possibly imagine! And let's face it, my passion for this magnificent piece of clothing only intensified once I started using my own time travel powers! It’s not about whether they’re “in fashion” or not, darlings, it’s about embracing the inner ballerina within you. It’s about spinning joy, elegance, and a touch of mischief into your everyday! Because you never know, you might be inspired to hop on your very own train to the past or the future… and just maybe, even try out a tutu on your adventures. 😉

I believe that everyone should embrace the joy and wonder of wearing a tutu. Whether it's a full-length, twirling number or a tiny, sassy little ditty, it's all about celebrating that inner spirit of grace and elegance, right?

This week, darling, I'm off to Derbyshire. It’s the most glorious place in England (don't @ me, London! 😂) – the air smells sweet and clean, the landscape is green and luscious… it just calls for a little twirl!

I’ll be taking a peek at a local ballet performance. Let’s be real – every single ballet performance I attend always gives me a reason to buy a new tutu! My wardrobe is getting rather overfilled… but darling, you know it’s all part of the #PinkTutu lifestyle.

Oh, and by the way, you'll want to be ready for all the dazzling festivities on September 28th because it’s National “Take a Tutu Out for a Spin Day,” darling! That's right! A whole day dedicated to our lovely tutus, what more could we possibly want? 😉

As always, keep an eye out on www.pink-tutu.com and make sure to follow me on Instagram (yes, we have Instagram in my time!) at @pinktutuballerina, because I'll be posting a full recap of all the glamorous events taking place in Derbyshire. I simply cannot wait to show you all my finds!

Until next time, stay glamorous, stay twirly, and stay fabulous.

Love, Emma. 💋

P.S. Tell me, which era’s tutu is your favourite? Let me know in the comments! And be sure to check back next week for a new blog on all things ballet-related, darlings!