Why Did Tutus Get Shorter During the Romantic Ballet Period?

Ballet

During the Romantic ballet period of the early 19th century, tutus were significantly shorter than they are today. The traditional tutu is a white, ankle-length skirt with a bell-shaped Silhouette.

While that remained true for the classical ballet style of this period, Romantic ballet was an entirely different beast.

The Romantic ballet period was characterized by emotions and drama. It focused on stories and characters with exaggerated movements and expressions.

The costumes also followed suit, becoming more elaborate and creative in order to enhance the performance.

The tutu was no exception. It became shorter in order to emphasize the dancer’s movements and expressions.

This enabled them to jump higher and perform more dynamic movements than was possible with a longer skirt. It also helped them create a more dramatic look on stage.

The shorter tutu also allowed for more freedom of movement when dancing en pointe (on the tips of their toes). With a longer skirt, it was difficult to move freely while on pointe, as it could get tangled up in their feet or restrict movement too much.

In conclusion, the shorter tutu during the Romantic ballet period was largely due to its ability to enhance the performance by allowing for greater freedom of movement and creating a more dramatic look on stage. This helped make Romantic ballet one of the most beloved forms of dance throughout history and continues to inspire modern ballets today.