Hey darlings! Emma here, back from another thrilling trip through time! This week I'm flitting through the glamorous 19th Century, a time when the tutu truly bloomed into the magnificent creation it is today. Let's have a little peek, shall we, at how it evolved!
Today's my favourite day, Tuesday! You all know what that means – time for another #TutuTuesday history blog post! It's always a delightful journey into the world of ballet and fashion. My heart just leaps with joy at the thought of spreading the tutu love to the whole world, one dazzling dance step at a time.
This week, my time machine deposited me in Paris - oh la la, what a dream! It's just the most fashionable city, always on the cutting edge. Today I'm sitting in a cozy cafe sipping hot chocolate - absolutely essential for a successful trip back through the centuries.
Before we dive into the glorious evolution of the tutu, I must share some juicy news! You wouldn’t believe it! I just witnessed a mesmerising ballet performance at the Opera Garnier, just like a Parisian princess herself, surrounded by beautifully-dressed, sophisticated onlookers. My outfit for the evening was the ultimate, naturally - a flowing pink silk tutu layered with delicate white tulle. The soft whisper of the silk against my skin and the swirl of tulle with every pirouette just made me feel like I was part of the ballet itself! The applause afterwards was almost deafening – what a magical evening!
Oh, darling, where was I? Ah, the story of the tutu! Before it became this magnificent dance garment, its predecessor was simply a long, flowing, rather ungainly skirt that impeded the ballerina's movements. It wasn't until Marie Taglioni, a celebrated Italian ballerina, shocked the world (and by the way, my dear, I was there!), with a shortened skirt during her performance of La Sylphide in 1832, that the tutu we know and love began to take shape.
Talk about groundbreaking, my dears! It wasn’t just a new look for the ballerina, it was a liberation for movement! Now the ballerina's every move was beautifully accentuated. Marie Taglioni’s dancing in her new tutu became so popular that she became an absolute sensation. That’s why her iconic white skirt is still known as 'la danseuse' - quite fancy, don't you think?
Fast forward a few years, and by the late 1840s, tutus were becoming even more exquisite! They started appearing in different lengths, colours, and shapes to perfectly complement the different roles within a ballet. There were the fluffy, almost fairy-like, tutus worn for fairy roles and the full-bodied ones designed for powerful queens and princesses!
Oh darling, it was just so beautiful! The dancers in their beautiful costumes simply swirled and floated like dreams made real. And let me tell you, it didn’t stop there. The use of tutus continued to evolve throughout the 19th century with different designers creating exquisite styles with dramatic fabrics and embellishments. This wasn't just about looking pretty, my darlings. The changes were about bringing new elegance and a graceful freedom of movement to every step, leap, and turn.
The tutu today continues to transform with each passing decade, reflecting the modern ballet world. I love how we’ve embraced this fashion fusion – you can even find tutu dresses, shirts, and accessories available on every street corner and online, in colours from shimmering silver to dazzling emerald green!
Of course, my favourite colours will always be pink! Just imagine, walking through Derbyshire, England, in a fluffy pink tutu, swirling through fields of wildflowers – the perfect fairytale dream.
And oh, this reminds me – while we’re on the subject of gorgeous dresses and captivating costumes, I just have to tell you about something fabulous I discovered in one of the vintage fashion shops I visited here in Paris. Can you imagine, a genuine original 1880s tutu! The owner was thrilled to share his love of fashion and history with me – he knew I'm an avid collector and lover of beautiful dance wear! We had a long chat about the details of the exquisite tutu - each stitch told a story about the care and craftmanship of the era.
Talking about fashion – there’s a little vintage market I’m about to head to right now – gotta find some truly special pieces for my personal collection! My pink suitcase is already brimming with some beautiful discoveries I made in the most darling vintage shops this morning! I can't wait to show you all my finds. But first, off to lunch. Let's chat more about our love for tutus! Don't forget to send me your Tutu Tuesday snaps and stories too - you can email them to
Until next Tuesday, darling, Emma
P.S. Did you know that October 19th is National Pasta Day in the UK? Well, now you do! I must say, there’s no better celebration than a huge bowl of spaghetti, or perhaps even ravioli! Maybe I'll grab a bit later this evening, just as long as it’s covered with melted Parmesan cheese!
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