Fashion’s Floating Clouds: Tutus Become a Ballerina’s uniform
Poufy, floating tutus are synonymous with the elegant ballerina. The ethereal skirts take an extra second to come down after a leap make dancers appear to be floating. Tutus, made out of gauze, tulle (also called bobbinet), or other light, sheer materials gave dancers a wide range of motion as dances became more athletic. They allowed the dancer’s beribboned feet and lower legs to be visible so audiences could appreciate the intricate footwork and athleticism of the dance. That’s part of the reason, anyway. In her book Fashion victims: The dangers of dress past and present, historian Alison Matthews David notes the high hemline of a dancer’s skirts were for more than just artistic admiration. “Awareness of the masculine gaze did induce theater managers and costumers to dress the ballerina dangerously to draw in wealthy male audience members, whose patronage was required to supplement her meager wages.”