All About the Tutu

How did the tutu come about?

We all know the tutu skirt as a distinctive style of netted skirt worn by ballerinas. 

What you might not know is that originally, the tutu looked different to the one most of us recognise today. 

The first tutu was worn by Swedish ballerina Marie Taglioni in 1832. She took to the Paris Opera stage wearing what is now known as a romantic style tutu. The bell shaped skirt showed her ankles, which was controversial at the time.

Image: Marie Taglioni, Romantic tutu.

Throughout the 1800s the tutu increased in popularity and as dance footwork became more difficult and intricate, skirts became shorter.

In the 1870s, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet featured dancers wearing the short pancake style tutu similar to what is commonly worn today. The new style of skirt showed the strength and style of the dancers.

Image: Viktoria Tereshkina and Vladimir Shklyarov in Swan Lake, Mariinsky Ballet.

Most professional tutus even today are completely handmade and can take up to 60 hours to complete.

Are you interested in trying ballet? Contact Dance Factor info@dancefactor.com.au to trial a class with us. Dance Factor offers classes across all styles of dance and caters for all ages and abilities. 

Dance Factor is a Wollongong based dance studio.