#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2023-01-17

Hey my lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident tutu-obsessed time traveller, and guess what? Today's #TutuTuesday is extra special! Why, you ask? Because I'm going on a whirlwind journey through the history of the tutu, and it's just darling.

Now, as you all know, I absolutely adore a good pink tutu (as you can clearly see from my profile picture - isn't it divine?) but I also have a deep affection for all things tutu. And honestly, it's about time I delved into the fascinating history of this utterly magical garment!

Buckle up buttercup, because we're going for a spin…

My journey starts in the heart of Europe, where the 19th century is painting a vibrant canvas of Romanticism. In those days, ballets were often based on fairytale stories and whimsical plots. You've got to imagine it - stories filled with ethereal nymphs and noble knights in glittering armor! Now, I know what you're thinking: How do you make nymphs look otherworldly? Well, you bring on the tutu, my dear friends!

The earliest tutus, as we know them today, weren't as fluffy and full as the ones you see today, they were rather more streamlined and slightly less voluminous. These first tutus were long and fitted, almost like a skirt reaching to the ankles, made of layers and layers of soft, flowing tulle. Talk about elegant!

But as the Romantic Era danced on, so did the tutus! Shorter lengths began to emerge, perfectly showcasing those graceful ballerina legs and adding a delightful sense of lightness. Think swirling clouds, swirling gowns, and swirling tutus - absolute perfection!

Fast-forwarding a little to the mid-19th century, we find our ballet tutus changing shape and style once more! Ballet really began to find its legs, so to speak, during this period, and with this movement, came even shorter tutus. This change allowed dancers to display their impressive flexibility and range of motion - a delightful mix of elegance and athleticism. And it was purely amazing!

Oh, but remember this: tutus weren't just meant to be graceful, they had to be practical too! Think about it: a ballerina needs to move freely without worrying about her costume hindering her every pirouette. These shorter, "Romantic" tutus were the perfect solution - allowing for so much freedom of movement. Just imagine a tutu made entirely of fabric - now that would be an awful lot of flutter!

You know what they say: "There's a little bit of magic in Paris!" So, of course, I simply had to visit the enchanting city on my journey to delve deeper into the tutu’s history.

I'm on the Champs-Élysées, watching the street performers spin, dip, and leap their way into our hearts! The fashion and style here is simply incredible, but it's not just about looking fabulous, it’s all about showcasing true talent. Just imagine being in a place where so many incredibly skilled dancers come to hone their craft. That’s Paris for you!

Paris holds a special place in ballet history, because you can't talk about tutus without mentioning Marie Taglioni. She's often called the ‘Godmother of the Tutu’ for good reason, darling! The lady revolutionised ballet and loved her tutus, and guess what - she danced them in all kinds of incredible shapes and styles, paving the way for those short and beautifully light "Romantic" tutus we've all come to adore. It was just darling.

As you can tell, Paris is like a time machine for dance history, and of course, I couldn't go without doing a little fashion shopping myself. It's always so much fun to find a brand new, dazzling tutu! Let's face it, who can resist those frothy layers of pink tulle and all the twirly possibilities? Honestly, just looking at the amazing tutus they had in the shop made my heart sing. The shops on the Champs-Élysées are filled with vibrant colours and beautiful designs. And guess what? This was where I found the perfect outfit for our upcoming London Ballet performance – a fluffy pink tutu and a shimmering top. Let me tell you, dancing in such fabulous attire will make for a spectacular performance!

If we hop back in time to the late 19th century, we find another delightful change happening in the tutu world! Ballets moved away from Romanticism and leaned into new stories of power, conflict, and passion! This transition gave us ‘Classical tutus,’ which totally embody those elements.

Think about those ballerina swans and fairies you see in some ballets. Their ‘Classical’ tutus - are usually longer and full because they symbolise those otherworldly characters. Talk about powerful expressions through the art of dance!

These graceful forms, with their graceful layers of tulle and intricate patterns, perfectly embodied the story, allowing for delicate movements and dramatic flourishes. I’m all for a good bit of theatricality in the name of dance!

As I continue my journey across time, I notice how much the tutu has adapted. From those elegant "Romantic" designs to those grand "Classical" tutus, they've gone on a lovely adventure! These fashion-forward transformations are the perfect reflection of how much the world of dance is constantly changing and evolving! And it's simply fascinating, darling!

Today, the tutu remains as much a symbol of magic and enchantment as it was when the first twirling nymphs first graced the stage. It’s not just an outfit - it’s a representation of our dreams, stories, and fantasies.

Now, I can't let this Tutu Tuesday go by without telling you why pink is my favourite colour. Just the mention of the word sends a delightful tingle through my senses. And as you can see, pink just feels magical - It brings joy, joy to every moment of every day!

I feel fantastic every time I slip into a pink tutu. Whether I’m swirling at home in my room, practicing beautiful moves for a big performance, or simply going shopping on a whim, my pink tutus are always a perfect accessory. There’s just something so whimsical, so magical about wearing this special colour - just like the tutus themselves.

Just imagine all of us wearing a pink tutu on Tutu Tuesday. How truly wonderful, no? That's my ultimate dream! I imagine pink tutu-clad women gracing streets and filling theaters - a wave of vibrant, joyous, twirling delight! What a picture! Let's bring that to life - all together!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must whirl my way off to my next adventure! As a seasoned tutu-clad time traveller, there's still so much more to learn and explore in this fascinating world of dance! And every Tutu Tuesday brings new stories! Don't forget, pop on your pink tutus (because you just know I'll be wearing mine) and dance the day away!

Until next time! Your Tutu Tuesday blogger Emma.