The Ballet Tutu In History - How Did It All Start?

by Ashton Field⁽⁴⁾
Ashton Field

It is nearly impossible to think of ballet without conjuring up pictures of the grace and beauty of ballerinas as they seemingly floats in a cloud of ruffles, fluffs or gauze which are ballerina tutus. Today tutus are synonymous with the poise and polish of ballet dancing as well as with extreme femininity.

It has not always been so. The first tutu is attributed to French dancer, Marie Taglioni, an early ballerina who designed the daring and flirty skirt of light flowing fabric in the 1830's and wore it on the Paris Opera stage. Famous for her intricate steps, she developed this short; just above the ankle to mid-calf, version of what would become the hallmark of the ballet costume to allow the audience to see her feet. The Romantic dance costume or Romantic Tutu came from this early design.

It is believed that the name "Tutu" is actually a childish play on the French word for the dancer's bottom, 'cucu'. As the dancer's skirts shortened, it was possible for the public, seated on the floor in front of the stage, to see up the dancer's skirt. The audience had a bird's eye view of the dancer's 'cucu'. Because the skirt provided the view, it took on the name.

It wasn't long until the Romantic style of tutu gave way to the Classical Tutu, which reached the dancer's knee and was an ethereal multi-layered skirt. Dressed with sequins, lace and pearls, the skirt became an elaborate and gorgeous confection flowing over the dancer's hips. Since that time the tutu has seen many changes, not only in length but also in design and execution. Filmy hooped creations became popular and then evolved into the bell, pancake and powder puff garments worn today. These stiff skirts which seem to jut out from the dancer's body are made mostly of tulle netting.

The tutu can be a separate skirt or attached to a bodice for a more complete costume. Its popularity came from the greater freedom of movement it allowed while creating a flowing and graceful line on the stage. As dancers were no longer hampered by stiff, long skirts, ballerinas developed more intricate dance steps and became much more athletic. . Therefore, in some measure, the tutu can be credited with the development of ballet as it is today.

Because of the popularity of dance and ballerinas with young girls, tutu-style skirts in chiffon, tricot and tulle have become poplar attire for young girls to wear anytime, not just on the stage.

Dance Clothes UK has a huge range of professional tutus and 101 ready made tutus available online at discount prices. Take a look at http://www.danceclothesuk.com

Article submitted Saturday, March 19, 2011 & read 36 times.

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