#LeotardHistory during 1859 11 November

Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller from Derbyshire! It’s the 11th of the month, so get ready for a trip to the past, where I’ll be exploring the fascinating history of leotards!

I’m so excited about this month’s trip – not just because it’s my blog’s birthday (happy 11 months to Pink-Tutu.com!), but also because November 1859 is bursting with interesting leotard connections.

You know, my love for leotards isn't just about the pretty fabric and fun styles. It’s about their history, the stories they tell about fashion and dance through the centuries.

And how else to tell these stories than by experiencing them first-hand? That's where my trusty time travelling leotard comes in! Every month, I’m using its magical powers to take me back in time, exploring fashion history, and learning all about leotard trends throughout the ages!

Now, pack your dancing shoes, dear readers, and hold on tight! Let’s hop aboard my fabulous pink time travelling leotard and head off to the Victorian Era. What fashion adventures await us today? Oh, how I can't wait!

The year is 1859, and London is buzzing with news. The Prince of Wales has just married Alexandra of Denmark. What a wonderful celebration! Even better news? I hear London is about to be treated to an exciting new show – a dazzling acrobatic performance by none other than Jules Léotard himself, performing in his innovative leotard!

Oh, my dear readers! How exciting is that? Mr Léotard was quite a character. He was one of the first to wear a single garment, a very close fitting one-piece costume. It is said that Mr Léotard was inspired to create this unique garment for his acrobatic acts as it was very tight and restrictive – not unlike our beloved corsetry. The very first version of the garment even included a built-in jock strap and padded knees! Now those were some brave steps in fashion history, darling!

Now, I just have to find myself the best seats for his performance! He’s at the The Royal Albert Hall for this month's performances, I'll definitely be attending to soak up the leotard history in the making. The stage has to be bursting with glitz, glamour, and spectacular performances, and of course, showcasing this incredible, groundbreaking leotard! I imagine I’ll be joining the London fashionable crowd in all their finery and elegance to watch Mr Léotard and his acrobat troupe defy gravity! It’s an absolute delight for any true fashion enthusiast like me!

Of course, the best way to experience London society’s latest leotard-obsessed craze is from the best seats in the house! I mean, even back then, a true fashionable icon like myself simply must be there!

After the performance, my friends, it's off to the shops! London is famous for its haberdashery. The ladies are embracing these one-piece wonders. There are beautiful colours and cuts – a far cry from the days of restricting, multi-layered outfits. It’s a revolutionary move for fashion, just as the leotard is for dance. A modern wonder of garment making! The silhouette allows movement, it accentuates curves, and of course, gives a little of the dramatic flair of the performances. I have already spied the most elegant purple silk leotard at the shops in Covent Garden! Just fabulous.

A leotard so striking would demand a tutu, of course, and so I'm adding my own flourish to it all with a delicate shade of lilac pink! My look? Think romantic elegance with a touch of Victorian extravagance. A lace-trimmed, delicate blush pink tutu, flowy enough to dance around the busy shops. Of course, my hair is styled in an elaborate updo, pinned with the daintiest little pearl brooches and finished with a feathery floral headpiece – my personal signature touch of pink, just like a blossoming rose!

Now, you can't be a Victorian lady without a chic shawl, darling! Mine will be in a rich midnight blue, embroidered with shimmering gold thread – just like those featured in that delightful art exhibition at the Royal Academy this month. What a stunning mix of historical artistry, vibrant colour and feminine allure – a complete fusion of Victorian elegance. The exhibition is also showcasing an abundance of pastel shades in the painting, drawings and sculptures – perfect inspiration for any leotard-loving time-traveller, such as myself!

And wouldn't you know it? They’re already starting to appear in the fashion magazines, darling! All those fascinating Victorian ladies are sporting the one-piece wonders - I think this leotard era will be a smashing success, wouldn't you say?

I love these little tidbits of leotard history. Fashion changes, and it is inspiring, but at the heart of it, there’s always a passion for creativity and artistic expression! And there's something quite romantic, I think, in the way the leotard and tutu blend these Victorian values with something modern, something daring, just like Jules Léotard's performance, Isn’t that what dance is all about? ### Street Style Inspiration – November 1859 So you’ve got my Victorian look, darling! But of course, every fashionable gal knows you need to know your street style too!

I imagine the London ladies are strolling through Hyde Park, looking exquisite, of course, and showing off their most captivating dresses. This means flowing sleeves, a dramatic bustle (all the rage at the moment!), and oh, that intricate detailing! A real treat to witness! They are elegant and expressive with their attire, showing their creativity and elegance! As for the colours? They will be bold and romantic: beautiful dark violets and emeralds, mixed with those elegant blush tones I love so much! Imagine those luxurious fabrics swishing as these ladies sashay around the park - simply divine!

Now, any dancer knows that no trip to London is complete without a performance, and with all this talk of fashion and history, my mind keeps drifting back to the magnificent Bolshoi Ballet company’s performances back in Moscow this month. They are making headlines for their exquisite style and dynamic stagecraft!

They've really been breaking boundaries with their interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. I hear it’s a grand production full of passion and powerful performances, not to mention the most stunning costumes, a blend of elegant costumes and elaborate detailing.

The fact that they are touring and delighting the audience with such exquisite art forms and leotards across the globe – now that’s what I call dedication! I imagine they'll have been bringing all the drama of the story of Swan Lake to life on stage with intricate, exquisite tutu creations and exquisite movement! The colours will be bold, bright, and simply mesmerising! You have to love a performance that celebrates the beauty of human movement in its most intricate forms.

I imagine the audience will have been absolutely enthralled! Oh, to see those graceful swans glide around the stage, all in that softest pink and the elegance of their costumes! Such grace, such perfection… it makes me want to head over to Moscow myself for a visit. Perhaps for next month's Pink Tutu Travel Blog!

My journey through leotard history this month has been utterly divine, don't you think, darlings? I have to say, the 11th of November, 1859, has been quite a blast. From watching the very first leotard performance, to learning all about how a new piece of garment can shape a whole fashion era! It’s such a reminder that history is alive, breathing, and full of colour. And it all starts with that special garment: the leotard. Just as with our pink tutus. It’s time for you all to head out into the world and find your inner pink-tutu warrior – even if you need to travel back in time to find your perfect inspiration!

As always, my darlings, remember, never let life get in the way of dancing with joy and spreading the pink tutu magic all across the world!

Until next month’s pink adventure, darling!

    Emma  xx

• Join us on our magical adventures! Follow along for my next post - the 11th of December 2023! – to discover a new date in leotard fashion history! Find all our exciting posts on www.pink-tutu.com! We post a brand new leotard travel blog each month - join the Pink-Tutu! club to stay connected and join our fabulous fashion community!
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See you in December!
Emma
xx