#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2023-04-25

Hello my darling darlings!

It's Emma here, your pink-loving, tutu-obsessed, ballet-mad blogger extraordinaire, back for another dazzling #TutuTuesday! Today, we're taking a trip through time, my lovelies, to explore the fascinating history of the tutu – the ultimate symbol of grace, femininity, and all things twirly!

So, grab a cuppa, pop on your most fabulous pink tutu (or, if you're not quite there yet, any old tutu will do – it's a Tuesday!), and get ready to take a twirl through the ages with me!

Imagine this: a bustling market square, filled with the chatter of vendors and the laughter of children. But amongst the bustle, a dancer, draped in shimmering silk, performs graceful movements, their loose flowing robes catching the sun and swirling with each leap. This, my lovelies, was the earliest form of the tutu – a simple, elegant garment worn by dancers in ancient Rome.

Now, fast forward centuries to the 1700s. The elegant, restrictive gowns of the French court are in, and while they may have been perfectly fashionable, they weren't exactly suited for the expressive movements of the blossoming art of ballet. This, my dear friends, is where the tutu's real evolution begins.

Enter, Marie Taglioni, the ballet superstar of the Romantic Era, and the woman who changed the face of dance. She, a vision in flowing, diaphanous white, took the stage, her skirts whisking around her as she performed a ballet so elegant, so ethereal, that it redefined what it meant to be a dancer. This is where the tutu, as we know it, was truly born!

Taglioni's vision wasn't a restrictive cage of a skirt, but rather a cloud of tulle, a testament to lightness and freedom. She was the pioneer of the Romantic tutu, a wispy confection of white gauze that allowed for the breathtaking leaps and delicate, airy movements of the era.

Now, here's the thing, my lovelies. Once the tutu broke free from the restrictions of the traditional gown, it started to become… well… a whole lot more fashionable.

The Romantic tutu had its run, giving us that classic graceful ballerina image, but it wasn't long before different styles began to emerge, like the Romantic-Classical tutu, which incorporated a firmer base to the skirt, allowing for a greater range of movement and a more elegant, structured look.

Then came the Classical tutu, often called the “Bell” tutu. Imagine a graceful, bell-shaped silhouette, with multiple layers of tulle creating that quintessential twirling charm – absolutely perfect for showing off those breathtaking pirouettes!

Now, if you want to talk about powerful movement, let's dive into the “Pancake” tutu, favoured for those explosive, high-impact leaps. It was shorter and fitted more snugly at the hips, giving dancers the freedom to unleash their full athletic potential – just wait till you see the sheer power behind those majestic fouettes!

The beauty of ballet, you see, lies not just in the grace, but also in the versatility, and the tutu perfectly embodies this. It can be soft and airy, graceful and flowing, or sharp, precise, and perfectly tailored to the most challenging movement – a testament to the evolution of dance itself.

Alright, now for the fun part. Today, my dears, is Tuesday, the 25th of April, 2023, and the world of ballet is as vibrant and inspiring as ever. In the UK, this date marks the end of the spring term in ballet schools. I'm sure you're all busily getting your recital costumes and pointe shoes prepped, ready to showcase all those incredible pirouettes you've been practicing. Remember, darling, every movement tells a story, and every step brings you closer to your dreams.

I'll be attending the Royal Ballet's Swan Lake in London. My dear friend Amelia and I are even wearing coordinating tutus for the occasion - imagine a double twirl of pink tulle in the heart of London!

For all you fashion-loving ballerinas out there, London is just teeming with wonderful vintage and contemporary dance shops – the perfect places to hunt for those dazzling tutus and accessories to make your inner ballerina shine. I've got my eye on a vintage sequined bolero, and I can't wait to tell you all about it next Tuesday.

So, darling, what are you waiting for? It’s time to embrace the tutu's magical power, to twirl your worries away and let your inner ballerina soar. Don’t forget to snap a picture in your most stunning pink tutu and tag me on social media!

Until next time, happy twirling!

Emma x

P.S. Remember, you can always catch me on my weekly ballet adventures on www.pink-tutu.com. And don't forget, every day is a perfect day to wear a pink tutu! 😉