Costuming In Ballet

Costume from the 19th century

Costumes used in ballet have the conflict between being beautiful and also easy to move and dance in. The costumes must be comfortable enough, but also enhance the movement of the dancer, and provide the allusion of flight during performances. Starting with Roman styles in the 1500s, stretching to the modern day beautiful and intricate costumes, ballet has a long history in costumes. See below several examples of ballet costumes throughout the ages. 

In the 17th and 18th century, ballerinas often wore
heeled shoes

Starting in 1550, the Roman style of dressing was highly influential to the costumes used in Ballet. Throughout history, whatever the most popular styles of clothing was were integrated into ballet costumes. Typical colors of ballet costumes ranged from dark copper to maroon and purple. The tutu was first worn by Marie Taglioni who wore a gauzy white skirt cut to reveal her ankles, designed by Eugene Lami in La Sylphide.

By the 19th and 20th century, costumes began to
resemble modern costumes.

Costumes are always evolving and changing, just like dance itself. By looking back on past costumes, we can expect the kind of change we may see in the future

Modern day ballet costumes

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