#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2022-04-26

Helloooo beautifuls! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away on another enchanting journey through the history of the most magnificent garment known to mankind – the tutu!

Today’s date is April 26th, 2022, and you know what that means? Tutu Tuesday! So grab your tea and your finest china, darling, because today’s a day for indulgence. We’re about to embark on a sartorial adventure, diving headfirst into the tutu’s dazzling evolution.

But before we begin, let's have a little confession – my time travel fund is a little light this week. I do hope I've had enough performances lined up to cover my next trip, because trust me, my darling readers, this adventure to the year 2022 was quite a costly affair! But don't you worry, my dear lovelies – I’ll make it worth your while! You’ll get a front-row seat to all the sartorial excitement, and by the end of this post, you'll be just as smitten with the tutu as I am!

Now, let’s skip ahead in time, back to when ballerinas started their twirling adventures in dresses that, let’s face it, wouldn’t even be allowed on the dance floor today. Imagine a bulky, floor-length garment restricting all movement! Oh, the horror! It took a few daring souls and an imaginative eye to see the potential of something a little more...shall we say… airy.

Enter, Maria Taglioni, the celebrated Italian ballerina, known for her light and graceful moves. This beautiful woman, in 1832, graced the stage in something completely revolutionary. Imagine a simple, lightweight skirt, reaching just above her ankles, revealing the delicate grace of her legs. Yes, you guessed it, darling, it was a tutu!

While that first little skirt of a tutu was quite different from the frothy concoctions we adore today, it represented a pivotal turning point, opening a portal into a world of dancing possibilities. Now, you can truly see how a tutu helps dancers spin, soar, and truly fly!

The tutu, darling, is no ordinary garment! It has evolved beautifully throughout the years. First, we saw the* romantic tutu,* with its long, delicate, almost-invisible layers. This tutu is like a whispered promise of romance, floating like a wispy cloud in a balletic dream. Then, enter the classical tutu – a masterpiece in form and function! Short, airy, and oh so incredibly feminine! This darling is the epitome of dance, demanding elegance and grace as the ballerina commands every movement.

Fast forward to the late 19th century and you find the tutu embracing a new kind of daring! *The "packet tutu", * darling! It boasts even shorter length, revealing more and captivating audiences with its bold and exhilarating energy.

These various designs were not mere fashion fads, but they showcased an evolving dance style. This wasn't just about fashion; it was a dance evolution! With every twirl and leap, the tutu took on a life of its own!

Okay, darlings, let's jump right back into 2022, the year where fashion knows no bounds, especially in the world of tutus. It seems the dance world, like the world of fashion, has been captivated by a desire for exploration, expression, and individuality!

This year, we are seeing an exhilarating return to the roots, with the classical tutu enjoying a remarkable revival. You’ll spot these stunning designs in both traditional and contemporary productions, gracing the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre, the Royal Opera House, and even those innovative and awe-inspiring dance festivals. We’ve also seen a dramatic increase in tutus with intricate and detailed design – we’re talking sparkles, shimmering beads, and layers upon layers of tulle that whisper stories in the air.

And I mustn’t forget ballet street – a delightful mix of street-wear style and classic ballet! This trend is reimagining the tutu, incorporating its captivating design and flow into street wear. And if you’ve got a peek at this trend, darling, you’ll know there are plenty of stunning pink tutus hitting the streets! We can only expect a whirlwind of tutu trends and fresh new variations to burst on to the scene soon – and believe me, darlings, I will be there to bring you every fashion detail.

Speaking of pink tutus, you know I’m wearing one today! It's a classic, delicate, layered pastel pink creation, so elegant, like the whisper of a gentle summer breeze. But the tutu isn't the only item gracing my outfit – no, darling! We’ve got to add a touch of magic, right? This season, I’m embracing all the pastel hues: baby blues, delicate greens, and the gentlest shade of violet.

Oh, and let's talk about the shoes, my dears. My favourites are those beautifully delicate ballet shoes with ribbons and bows! Oh, how I adore the elegance of a ballerina's shoes!

And since today is a day for travelling, I’ll be hopping aboard the train wearing a stylish tweed jacket and a small travel bag, to carry all my little essentials for my dance-related errands, and of course, some sweet treats to snack on during the journey.

Remember my darlings, I’m just a little ballerina from Derbyshire who’s been swept away on the winds of a magnificent dream. We may be time travelling to different centuries, exploring a variety of fashion trends, but ultimately, I believe that every single one of you has the potential to be a dancer in your own way. And every one of you is unique – just like every one of the gorgeous tutus that dance around the world!

We’ll be dancing and spinning into the next post – remember to check back next week for another captivating Tutu Tuesday. Until then, darlings, be well, be glamorous, be bold – and maybe, just maybe, try slipping into your own pink tutu!

Stay stylish,

Emma 💕