Hello darling tutu lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back with another exciting #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post! Today, we're whisking you away on a sartorial journey through time, all in the name of that most wonderful garment: the tutu.
Today is 18th March 2025, and guess what? I'm here in Paris, the city that absolutely breathes fashion and romance! What better place to celebrate the tutu's history than the very place that gave the world the little black dress?
As always, I'm here in my absolute favourite pink tutu, the one I call "Petal Power" – it's a soft, swirling tulle cloud of pure delight. I swear, this tutu practically makes me feel like a real-life fairy!
I just arrived at Gare du Nord station, and trust me, you'd never guess it was the 2025 station. This place has got all the charm of a Belle Époque ballroom with a modern twist! I even spied a couple dancing to the enchanting tune of a Parisian busker, which, naturally, had me picturing a dreamy ballet performance.
Today, my darlings, I’m exploring the Parisian streets, tracing the history of tutus back to the very dawn of ballet itself. I've got my eyes peeled for those beautiful, fluffy creations, ready to document my discoveries. This blog, however, is just the tip of the iceberg, I'm going to spend a good few hours in Paris before I hop on the train to Berlin, so look out for some seriously gorgeous and historical content!
Now, let’s talk history. Today, we're discussing the dawn of the romantic ballet!
The romantic era (circa 1830 to 1870) was all about defying conventions and exploring emotions in a new and imaginative way. The French Romantic movement championed individuality, freedom, and emotion – characteristics reflected in the tutu, a garment that symbolised flight and liberation, breaking free from the constraints of past fashion trends.
The tutus from this period, oh my darling readers, they were divine! They weren't those tight, fitted affairs we see in some productions today. The romantic era favoured what's called the “bell-shaped tutu," a cloud-like creation, almost resembling an inverted flower with a flared shape. The Romantic tutus allowed dancers freedom of movement, making it perfect for the era’s emotional and graceful choreography. Think flowing lines and dreamy emotions.
Of course, these amazing Parisian tutus didn't just appear from thin air.
Our journey has to take us back to 18th century Europe, where dancers, although not yet twirling in our recognisable tutus, did start to wear shorter skirts to enable easier movement. The inspiration for the iconic tutus was drawn from theatrical fashion.
Let’s be honest, who needs an entire heavy gown getting in the way of such a beautiful art form? That's where the beauty of ballet design came in: it allowed dancers to move freely and show off their skills in all their glory.
But, back to the Belle Époque – that glorious period of the early 20th century! During this time, the ballet world really saw some of the most glamorous tutus ever! It was during this time, that we saw the arrival of the very iconic, multi-layered, pouter pigeon skirt that most people recognise as the traditional “ballet tutu” today.
However, during this period, it was not uncommon for dancers to wear something more “theatre” than what we are familiar with today. Have you ever heard of a tutu-skirt?
The Tutu-skirt! Just imagine a mix of a traditional ballet tutu and a more fashionable skirt – this, in a nutshell, is the tutu-skirt! Think layers upon layers of fluffy tulle, flowing into graceful, stylish lines. This was one of the very first “ballet-esque” skirt designs, inspired by the ballerinas and adopted for its airy look by high fashion and theatre alike. I found a fantastic vintage magazine from this period today which I am planning to add to my tutu history collection, the Parisian designs are breath-taking.
The tutu was such a bold statement and a real trendsetter of its time! The era’s fascination with elegance, innovation, and luxury was directly reflected in fashion and this most elegant garment! The tutus of the period would have been embellished with beautiful, decadent details like sequins, beading, feathers, even gemstones – the epitome of theatrical flair and feminine elegance. I can just imagine all the amazing costume designers who worked their magic, turning dancers into celestial beings!
Just a little something to make you swoon – a beautiful white, layered tutu worn by Anna Pavlova, a legend who defined the era's romantic ballets, and you know what? They called her "The White Swan!" A real fashion icon! I've seen footage of her dancing on the screen, she's as enchanting today as she would have been during that incredible era.
However, the world doesn't stop here! While those classic tutus remain a cornerstone of ballet today, modern ballerinas have embraced more daring and contemporary designs, but don't be fooled, these tutus still embrace that key essence of beauty, flow, and expression that defines ballet, a key ingredient, I like to think of it as "ballet flair."
Looking to the future! I just know that the future of the tutu is looking bright and innovative. We've already seen ballet embracing all kinds of incredible modern materials and designs! You can now find beautiful tutus made with fabrics like neoprene or stretch jersey that give dancers greater flexibility and movement freedom, allowing them to defy gravity. Some contemporary ballets embrace “non-traditional tutus” to push boundaries, using different designs that complement and reflect the themes and style of each specific dance, it’s incredibly diverse!
But no matter what fashion innovations come to light, we must remember that the tutu will always hold a special place in our hearts. It embodies the ethereal beauty of ballet, the elegance of dancers, and the dreams that we all carry inside. After all, I still wear it every day.
It’s a testament to the sheer versatility of the tutu that it can transcend the bounds of the theatre and be enjoyed by us all. Now, that's what I call sartorial magic!
So my lovelies, let's embrace our inner ballet fairy. Let's twirl with pride and wear a tutu with a smile, no matter where we are. Because if you're wondering about the message for this post: We are all dancers. And the world is our stage.
*See you all next week, darling tutu lovers! Until then, twirl happily! *
P.S: As a bonus to celebrate this gorgeous history, my darling tutu followers, there is a 10% discount on all pink tutu designs for 48 hours! Use the code PARIS10 at checkout on www.pink-tutu.com and let's embrace a world in pink tutus!
And as always: Keep twirling!
Emma x
