Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers! It’s Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, and I'm so excited to be back for another #TutuTuesday. Today, we're stepping back in time, and, of course, into a swirl of fabulous tutus! I’m off on a whirlwind tour through ballet history – a tutu odyssey if you will – to uncover the story of this iconic piece of clothing! But first, let me tell you about my current whereabouts…
It's November 11th, 2025. The air is crisp, and I’m feeling truly Parisian as I stand in front of the magnificent Palais Garnier opera house. The architecture is breathtaking, the lights twinkle invitingly – I simply must grab a picture for Instagram! And don't even get me started on the sheer number of pink tutus around, just floating about this chic city! Oh my word, you could say I’m truly in my element. It's as though the fashion fairy has sprinkled Parisian chic over everything, even the clouds! It’s a sight to behold – think haute couture meets tulle dreams!
The perfect blend of history, beauty and fashion! Honestly, it's hard not to feel like a fairytale princess when you're surrounded by such opulence and charm! Today is going to be fantastic as it is La Journée des Roses - a glorious festival dedicated to, yes, you guessed it, roses! Think a whirlwind of rose-scented loveliness! They say you haven’t truly lived until you’ve enjoyed the aromas and vibrant colours of the rose gardens around the Parisian city parks!
I absolutely love France – the fashion is impeccable, the cuisine is exquisite, the people are warm and welcoming. Oh, and don’t forget the train journeys! My latest purchase - a beautiful pair of vintage pearl earrings, an absolute steal, I can’t wait to style them with my new pink silk turban! The markets and boutiques have simply spoiled me for choice! But alas, it’s time to jump back into the TARDIS of time, (that’s what I affectionately call my little time-travelling suitcase!)
Now, on to our historical fashion odyssey, the ultimate tutu journey! The tale of the tutu dates back centuries, and just like fashion itself, its story has been marked by trends, twists and, dare I say, a bit of a revolution. Back in the early 16th century, ballet was far removed from the whimsical twirling we know and love today. Think rigid costumes, and lots and lots of layers – definitely not the elegant and flowing tulle we associate with ballerinas today! But fast forward to the late 18th century and – you guessed it! - Marie Antoinette had a hand in making ballet a bit more playful! Her fascination with Greek myths led to the introduction of lighter fabrics, and the evolution of ballet as we know it today – that’s right – thanks to the Queen, we can all wear tutus!
However, it wasn’t until the 19th century, with the rise of romantic ballet and its desire for ethereal, romantic movement, that the tutus we know today began to appear. It was the talented Mademoiselle Marie Taglioni who famously twirled her way onto the scene in 1832, wearing a soft, gauzy tutu that became a true game-changer! Think flowing tulle, knee-length with a wide, circular form. It’s all about showcasing the ballerina’s movements. It’s not just about being light on her feet; it's about evoking emotions, the ethereal beauty and the magic of storytelling through dance. This romantic period brought about what we call the 'Romantic tutu’, this light, elegant garment that allowed ballerinas to soar through their movements – oh, how elegant!
Think Marie Taglioni, a vision in tulle, defying gravity, twirling her way through ballet, graceful, breathtakingly beautiful. Think ‘La Sylphide’, an iconic ballet – the graceful ballet movement was born – the beauty of delicate motion, graceful extensions and expressive storytelling. She was like a butterfly, or even a feather in the wind! It's so thrilling to imagine her first steps onto the stage – a revolution in dance, with the tutu paving the way for centuries of beauty and movement!
After the romance of the 19th century came the elegance of the late 1800s and 20th century - the age of ‘La Belle Époque’. It’s during this era that we see the creation of what we call the ‘Classical Tutu’ - longer, knee-length and flowing – it’s quite spectacular! These designs emphasised a sleek line and more structure, offering a beautiful contrast between the light, flowing fabric and the precision of movement.
Think graceful pirouettes, leaps and intricate footwork. This period introduced new fabric technologies, giving tutus the airy, dramatic structure you see in some ballets today – it was truly a technological masterpiece! Imagine how fascinating it was to watch a ballet during this period - every graceful step, a work of art, every pirouette, an expression of grace! Think ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ - just beautiful and magical! The iconic ballet was first premiered in 1890, a masterpiece featuring classical, elaborate tutus. Talk about a dream come true – for both the audience and the ballerinas! It’s truly inspiring to think of these intricate creations that grace the stages!
By the mid-20th century, the world of ballet opened its arms to bolder designs, pushing boundaries – we saw the development of ‘The Demi-Tutu’. Oh, so dramatic, this tutu reaches just above the knee, allowing ballerinas more flexibility in the length. These ‘demi’ tutus – not to be mistaken for ‘semi’, my dear readers, – allow dancers a greater freedom of movement – think fast-paced routines, quick pirouettes and elegant jumps! A bold, exciting and theatrical new vision of ballet!
Then, during the 1950s to 70s, contemporary ballet came to the fore - the emphasis was now on dynamic movement, experimentation and emotion - the creation of the ‘Contemporary Tutu’! The tutu's shape shifted from full, romantic tulle to a shorter, tighter silhouette that gave the dancer more freedom, perfect for intricate footwork and powerful, expressionistic movements! Imagine contemporary ballet, exploring bold, expressive themes - there's a real edge and artistic liberation in this new, exciting era. These designs offered more body control, so that dancers could execute these demanding movements with ease - it’s quite revolutionary, think ballet going bold!
The late 20th century saw more and more choreographers break free from tradition, leading to innovative tutu designs – it was truly a celebration of diversity in form! It was a time of experimentation, with the tutus taking on different shapes and styles - think the beautiful artistry of Balanchine’s ‘Swan Lake’. The tutus have evolved to accommodate his distinctive style – and his ballet ‘Symphony in C’, wow, you wouldn’t believe it! Think beautiful abstract lines, the iconic asymmetrical tulle designs, a stunning visual journey! It was this experimentation that propelled the modern day tutu into new and inspiring horizons. It's exciting and inspiring – think ballet as a creative form, with designers expressing themselves through these fantastic creations!
Now let’s bring our whirlwind journey to the present day, to 2025! The 21st century tutu! Modern-day ballet has a unique mix of influences - tradition meets new trends, where the tutus of today are an extraordinary marriage of classic beauty and avant-garde design.
Today’s designs feature modern textures, colours and innovative use of tulle. Imagine sleek silhouettes with modern pops of colour, think sheer overlays and layers upon layers - it's breathtaking and revolutionary.
One trend that I adore is the reintroduction of vintage ballet outfits, beautifully restored and repurposed – like finding a magical gem in a vintage shop. These iconic vintage pieces are taking the stage by storm and I can’t wait to wear one to my next ballet show!
Let's face it, the tutu has undergone a true transformation throughout its history. It's moved beyond a simple garment to becoming an art form in its own right, capturing the essence of ballet's graceful, emotional and artistic power. The tutu's history is a testament to human creativity, from the romance of Marie Taglioni's creations to the modern, expressive silhouettes we see today. And so I ask, will you join me on this wonderful adventure into the world of tutus? I truly hope so. But I must make a run for it, there is a world of time-travelling adventures waiting!
Until next week, darling Tutu Twirlers.
Love always, Emma.
P.S. Have you seen this tutu, absolutely stunning?! You must come to this exhibition, you won’t be disappointed. [Picture of an amazing, modern, asymmetrical pink tutu on stage at a Parisian ballet. ]
