#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2024-03-19

Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, ready to take you on another whirl through the history of our beloved tutus! This week, we're taking a trip to… drumroll please… Paris!

Now, Paris is known for many things – the Eiffel Tower, croissants, the Louvre, and, of course, its glorious ballet scene! So it’s no surprise that we’re exploring the evolution of the tutu in this chic city.

Today is 19th March 2024. Spring is springing (pardon the pun!), and the air is full of a certain excitement, wouldn't you say? It's a bit like that feeling when you get your first peek at the curtain going up for a show! And, you know what's even more exciting? This very date is the anniversary of a truly groundbreaking ballet – “La Sylphide.”

Now, “La Sylphide” premiered in 1832, but trust me, it still holds up! It's basically the original romantic ballet – think beautiful music, poetic storytelling, and, most importantly, the rise of the tutu!

The Debut of the Short Romantic Tutu

You see, before "La Sylphide" graced the stage, tutus were much fuller and longer – almost like a big fluffy ballgown. They didn't really allow for graceful, nimble movements. “La Sylphide” changed all that! The heroine, a sylph, wore a shorter, wispy skirt, which we now call the "Romantic tutu."

Imagine it - a wispy skirt fluttering as a ballerina leaps, twirls, and floats across the stage, almost as ethereal as the very sylphs themselves! It revolutionised the way ballerinas moved, making their movements even more elegant and fluid.

I'm not just saying this because I’m obsessed with tutus, but this shift in the world of ballet really opened up a whole new realm of possibilities! Think of all the graceful ballets we wouldn't have if not for this little dance skirt! It truly is a game changer.

A Trip Through Fashion in 19th Century Paris

As a dedicated Tutu Tuesday blogger, I obviously have to look back at what all of Paris was wearing in 1832 when the tutu was first making its dramatic entrance. Imagine elegant ladies strolling along the cobblestone streets in corseted gowns and bonnets – it’s pure romance! The era of “La Sylphide” was all about elegance and beauty, just like my lovely pink tutu!

While it wasn't yet a regular sight, the Romantic tutu quickly caught the eye of fashionable Parisian society. It was so beautifully light and airy, perfect for the romantic era.

It didn't take long for the Romantic tutu to influence women's everyday fashion, just as today’s high fashion shows inspire us to get our sartorial kicks! Think of those layers of tulle – they’re so easy to adapt into stylish daytime outfits! In a way, you could even say it’s a sort of pre-cursor to the ballet core trend!

Traveling with Fashion and Flair

I love traveling in a chic way, but let's face it - a good, stylish outfit can be a bit impractical if you’re catching a train. Thankfully, tutus have such lovely versatility, and the Romantic tutu especially fits in perfectly with that 1800s travel aesthetic. You've gotta see how stylish it is – just imagine how good I would look arriving in a little pink Romantic tutu at Paris’s Gare de Lyon station!

More Ballet Delights in the City of Lights

You know, I might even go see “La Sylphide” again tonight - I just can't resist the allure of a truly timeless ballet classic! And Paris really is the place for it – imagine watching it under the twinkle of a chandelier in the iconic Palais Garnier. Honestly, I almost can’t take it!

After the show, I'll be doing a bit of shopping, as Paris is the ultimate city for fashion lovers, wouldn't you say? It’s like stepping into a fairytale with every single boutique, full of fabulous garments.

One of my favourite places in Paris for tutus is "La Danseuse" on rue de la Paix, but the best part is - when I come across an especially pretty design - I can slip out and perform a little mini ballet routine on the street. Parisians are quite good-natured, so I don't usually get any stares or complaints! You know, that's the fun of being a ballerina - you’re always on stage, even when you’re off!

So, for a little tutu-tastic adventure next time you visit the City of Lights, be sure to do a little “La Sylphide” research and even have a peek at one of its Romantic tutu designs! If you have any questions about tutus, you know where to find me - right here at the www.pink-tutu.com website. And until next Tuesday, darlings, may your days be full of joy, laughter, and maybe even a little pirouette or two. Until next week!