Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite time-travelling ballerina blogger, ready to take you on another thrilling journey through leotard history! As you know, August is a month overflowing with magical moments and this month, I'm taking you back to 8th August 1859.
I was absolutely bursting to see what was in store for us in terms of leotard fashion from this particular day in history. After all, as we know, the Victorian era was bursting with ravishing creations - think ruffles, silks and bustles galore!
But first, I'll tell you about my latest adventure! You know how I love to keep my ballet shoes well-worn, right? Well, this time, I managed to pull in a fabulous sum during a street performance outside the Derby Theatre, showcasing my newest routine (all pirouettes and jeté leaps!). Feeling absolutely fabulous, and a little lighter in my purse, I zipped myself into my magical, sparkling pink leotard and – whoosh – I was transported back to 1859.
Now, this era… this era was interesting. The streets of London were positively abuzz, but they were not quite the spectacle we experience today. Let's just say, pink tutus probably wouldn't have been met with much fanfare back then (alas!), but hey, that's part of the joy of time-travelling - exploring styles and attitudes from times past.
A Fashionable Time Warp
I found myself in a quiet courtyard near Covent Garden. I was beaming - what a wonderful place to start! I could hear snippets of conversations about the upcoming performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" by the Royal Ballet! Can you imagine - that iconic ballet, performed nearly a century before the famed Tchaikovsky score! I made a note to return another time and catch a glimpse of this spectacular performance.
Speaking of ballet, the world of leotard fashion was transforming at this time. Leotards, still known as tights (and yes, they did indeed include both tights and bodice in one garment) were still quite a new thing - particularly in the context of theatrical performance! Imagine, dear reader, what it must have been like to watch the graceful movements of ballerinas before the days of form-fitting leotards. They'd be dressed in voluminous skirts, impractical for dance but visually breathtaking. It's really no wonder the popularity of the tights soared during this time.
Leotard Style: 1859 & Beyond
The tights of the time were often made from a fine white or flesh-toned fabric, adorned with ruffles, lace, and perhaps some decorative stitching. A bodice (which was considered separate) might be trimmed with luxurious velvet and velvet bows, adding to the elaborate feel of the outfit. It was all about achieving the perfect silhouette, a slender line, and highlighting the femininity of the form.
Imagine the delightful contrast of such an exquisite and refined ensemble against the background of Victorian London - ladies in elaborate dresses and gentlemen sporting top hats! Just imagine the gasp of admiration as the ballerinas appeared on stage in their elegantly-crafted tights, performing graceful ballet moves, a vision of elegance and sophistication. The fact that ballet even existed at that time, let alone the "tights" which were then beginning to become essential items of dance attire, just proves that leotard fashion is forever evolving.
Looking Ahead
What fascinating times they were - this whole evolution of the leotard in the Victorian era has captured my heart! But remember, the adventure doesn’t end here. We've only just scratched the surface of the world of leotard fashion. Every month I'll be whisking you back in time to uncover a new day, a new style, and a new piece of history, ready to bring to life the leotards, styles, and fashion of bygone eras.
Now, while we're on the subject of historical time-travelling - if you have any time-travel leotard adventures you'd love to share, do let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Tiktok - we’ll be posting updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses of my next trip and plenty of dazzling photos in my sparkling pink leotards, every step of the way!
Until next time, darling, remember… it's time to twirl into fashion history! ✨💕
Love always, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
PS. Did you know I also do commissioned pink tutu designs? Want a pink tutu with a touch of Victorian flair? Email me today at
