#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2023-12-12

Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus are always in bloom! This is your girl, Emma, bringing you another exciting instalment of #TutuTuesday.

This week, we're time-traveling back to a really special day: December 12th! But before we whisk ourselves off on a historical adventure, I have to gush about the absolutely stunning "Swan Lake" I saw last night. Honestly, you could hear a pin drop! The costumes were so exquisite, and the dancing, oh my goodness! I swear, that prima ballerina was literally flying. It's truly an art form, wouldn't you say? 💖

Now, let's get back to our history lesson. As you know, December 12th marks a truly wonderful event, National Poinsettia Day! These gorgeous blooms are practically the colour of a beautiful ballerina's blush! And you know what they say: pink goes with everything, including lovely holiday poinsettias! 😉

Now, where were we? Oh, yes, time travel! So, buckle up, because we're going to really step back in time to trace the glorious origins of the tutu. Imagine a world before the tutu... It just wouldn't be the same, would it?

Let's hop on a steam train and whizz back to the 15th century. Remember, our tutus started with those delightful "ballets de cour," or court ballets, which were elaborate dances often held for royal entertainment. But at that time, there wasn't exactly a tutu, per se. Fancy gowns with very full skirts (think tons of petticoats!) were the thing back then. We're talking Marie Antoinette meets Cinderella! 👑

Fast forward to the early 19th century. It's all about romance and a dash of drama in the ballet world! That's where the Romantic period of ballet came in.

During this time, they changed how dancers dressed, and what an incredible change it was! These incredible women finally got a little freedom of movement in the name of the ballet arts!

Suddenly, there were skirts with just a single layer of tulle, showcasing graceful limbs and light, airy movement. And the silhouette! It made them appear even taller and more elegant than ever! Honestly, the transformation was like watching a flower blossom. 🌺

Here's where things really got interesting. The invention of the pointe shoe! It transformed the ballet world by allowing dancers to dance on the tips of their toes! Talk about groundbreaking! 🤩

This invention meant dancers needed a *more lightweight skirt that allowed for high kicks, rapid turns, and breathtaking leaps. *This era, which is still in its glory today, really perfected the ballet tutu. Talk about history coming to life!

Today, you can see different variations of the tutu on stage in ballet, and I think it's fantastic. The classic "Romantic" tutu is still around, that simple yet elegant design with several layers of soft, floating tulle. It just exudes graceful elegance! 💖

Then there's the "Russian" tutu. Now, this is a statement piece! It's a beautiful shorter, stiffer tutu that adds a touch of glamour to every dance. It's the look for those grand jetés (it's the famous leap, darlings!).

But the one that always makes my heart leap with excitement is the "Contemporary" tutu. This design features soft, flowing layers, giving it a stunning fluidity that blends effortlessly with the more modern ballet styles. They move with such breathtaking freedom, almost like clouds drifting through the air.

From elegant, sweeping designs to a softer, more flowy style, the tutu embodies the elegance of dance in its finest form! For a ballerina, it's the embodiment of dreams! 💃

You know what they say: ballet is poetry in motion. The same could be said about a beautiful, flowing tutu! Just like any fashion trend, its designs have evolved over the years, staying at the forefront of ballet history and fashion.

I can't wait to see where tutus take us next, but I do hope that as a part of that history, everyone finds that pink tutu love! 💖

Don't forget to pop over to my shop, "The Pink Tutu," on Etsy for your very own tutu and ballerina accessories. You can also catch me in town at a ballet performance near you. Until next week, keep twirling, my loves! ✨

(This post is number 10016 in my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog on www.pink-tutu.com )