Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com and another edition of #TutuTuesday. It's the 25th September 2029 and the sun is shining gloriously here in Paris. It's such a lovely day for a trip to the Palais Garnier - the Opéra de Paris, home of the most magnificent ballet performances. Today I’m whisked away by the sheer joy of movement. Every turn, every leap, every extension sends a ripple of delight through me!
After the ballet I'm going to be doing a little window shopping along the Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré - oh I simply cannot wait to see what amazing tutus they have at my favourite shop on these streets!
I was just thinking today, you know, tutus really are such a timeless piece of fashion. As my regular readers know, I'm all about spreading the tutu love, so let's dive right in and talk about the history of these wonderful little creations…
#TutuTuesday: A Time Trip through the Wonderful World of Tutus
Today’s post is about the wonderful world of the tutu – its fascinating history and what makes this magical piece of dancewear so special. I am so obsessed with these fantastic frilly creations that I simply HAVE to travel through time to uncover the history behind them. Just grab a cup of your favourite brew – Earl Grey, Darjeeling, maybe even a Pink Lady Tea - and join me on a tutu journey back through time.
It’s hard to believe, but the tutu story started right back in the 1800s! That’s when ballerinas first started experimenting with shorter skirts, in fact. But back in those days, dresses were usually long, flowing and a bit...well… restrictive! The ladies needed a more versatile garment – something that showed off the ballerina's moves. The “tutu,” as we know it, didn’t really appear until the 1830s with a little help from none other than the beautiful, graceful Marie Taglioni!
The Dance of Freedom: Marie Taglioni and the First Romantic Tutus
The gorgeous Marie Taglioni was an absolute superstar of the stage. In fact, she’s one of my most admired dancers. She brought lightness and elegance to ballet - she even brought it to the Royal Opera House in London! What did she bring, you ask? The first version of the tutu, which you've probably heard me describe before.
Taglioni made her big entrance in the famous ballet "La Sylphide" and what did she wear? Well, a knee-length, lightweight skirt. She was dancing on her toes - or "en pointe” as the ballet world calls it – and this shorter skirt helped the audience truly admire those glorious dancing moves.
This was truly the beginning of the ballet tutu as we know it! It became the standard look for ballerinas everywhere - just think of the iconic tutus seen in ballets like "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker.”
Classical Ballet’s Dreamy Dress
From the mid-1800s onwards, the ballet tutu evolved, with lots of intricate designs, and it was actually becoming a symbol of femininity and grace! These classic tutus are crafted from layers of soft tulle, and with intricate lace edging – they have a delicate, fairy-like charm, and just add to the magic of ballet!
The Modern Tutu’s Amazing Story
But tutus are not just for classical ballet, you know! Over time, dance has evolved, as has fashion and tutus with it! I’m so lucky I get to travel through time – the change from classical to more modern and experimental dance forms has truly opened up all sorts of creative opportunities for tutu design.
Think about all the amazing choreographers of today – they have had such an influence on tutu design – and now the tutu comes in so many variations – all inspired by the classical form! The long romantic “Romantic tutu,” is still seen in ballets like "Giselle" but in modern dance, it’s even become the inspiration for tutus that can be made from all kinds of fabrics. Some are really abstract, some are so flamboyant. I think of "Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo” and their modern tutu designs… They really bring a whole new level of style to the classical design, making the most of bright colours and interesting textures.
What is in Style this Season?
What is on trend right now, is the return to the classical tutu design, so elegant with its layers and graceful movement! The designs we see today reflect those amazing ballet movements like arabesques, jeté and even the fouette turns – so you really get a sense of dance when you see those elegant layers swirling about.
Fashionista Inspiration
Now, one thing is for sure – the ballet world, including tutus, has always had a big influence on the fashion world, which is just one of the reasons why I love ballet! Look back to the 1950s – remember the amazing New Look fashion designs of Christian Dior? You might not think of ballet right away, but if you look closely, the A-line shape of his dress is actually based on the ballet tutu.
The "tutu” influence has been huge in the fashion world since then. From designers like Thierry Mugler, and the “Ballet-inspired” designs by John Galliano, these high-end fashion labels always create gorgeous looks and some amazing tutu inspired skirts.
And who can forget the amazing tutu dresses of designers like Chanel! When I look at all those gorgeous fashion runway creations, I’m just so glad that tutu history plays such a big part in what we see on the catwalks!
Tutus for Everyone!
I do have to mention that the tutu, as a style and garment, has really been on the rise outside the dance world! You can’t go anywhere these days without seeing some “tutu” inspired clothing! For me, that is so, so cool!
We can all celebrate tutus as a great fashion accessory – especially since the tutu's been a fashion icon on the streets since the early 2000s. I've seen tutus everywhere! On pop singers in videos, even celebrities strutting their stuff on red carpets in tutu dresses. I even saw a ballerina from the Paris Opera Ballet dancing in a full tutu – for a shopping spree with a handbag and all! That has to be the best way to go shopping!
From Stage to Street
So the tutu has definitely moved on from its classical dance origins. But just think of all the amazing stories and events that helped shape this gorgeous piece of garment history. What started as a piece of clothing to show off the grace of the ballet dancer, is now part of global fashion. What I love most about it is how it symbolizes dance and movement – I just think that’s absolutely brilliant.
For me, wearing my favourite tutu is more than just a fashion statement, it’s an attitude and it's just my little way of adding a dash of glamour to every day. If you’re still a little shy to wear a tutu, just do what I do – try picking one in a colour you love, or maybe even a fabric you love. Think about wearing it when you feel confident, it’ll really bring that confidence to a whole new level!
But more than anything – let's keep spreading the tutu love because tutus are so amazingly versatile, they can go with any fashion style!
Until next Tuesday – wear a tutu, you won't regret it!
Emma xx
Don’t Forget to Check Out Pink-Tutu.com
That’s it for today! I hope you've loved our trip through tutu history, it's such a big part of the world of ballet and fashion.
Join me on social media @pinktutu on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest - don’t forget to hashtag your own #TutuTuesday posts so we can all join in and share the tutu love!
Make sure you follow me on Pink-Tutu.com for loads of articles about tutus, dance, fashion, shopping and more! I travel around the world seeing ballet performances, exploring fashion stores, and I just love discovering new places - you never know where I’ll end up next, so keep your eye on Pink-Tutu.com!
I'm also writing a book on ballet history – the history of dance is really fascinating, it's something I could never get enough of. You might just get an exclusive preview on my website - so come and join me!
Special Tutu Giveaway
I'm also running a tutu competition this week. You could win a gorgeous tutu of your dreams – in the style of one of the iconic ballerinas of history like Marie Taglioni or even Margot Fonteyn! Head over to my Pink-Tutu.com page to find out more.
That's all for now. Have a tutu-rific week and I’ll see you on Tuesday!
Love,
Emma xx
