Post #13
Hello darling readers! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another thrilling time travel adventure! January 1st, 1860, oh what a delightful date to be whisked back to! As I slipped into my trusty sparkling pink leotard, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement, as today’s journey promises an incredible glimpse into a time when fashion and grace took centre stage.
This month's time travel adventure, my loves, whisks me to a bygone era where corsets were the norm and ladies adorned themselves in frills and flounces, not a single hint of spandex or lycra to be found! Imagine a world where the leotard, my dear, is practically unheard of!
The day began with a light breakfast, enjoying some fresh milk and crusty bread with a touch of local honey from my grandmother's recipe, and it had just begun to snow gently, coating the Derbyshire countryside in a thick blanket of pristine white. How much I love this season! The air is so crisp, so crisp...
Before leaping into my first trip through the decades, I always indulge in a little street ballet, a bit of a personal ritual. So, I shimmied into a fabulous scarlet red sequined tutu (and my most fabulous scarlet leotard, of course!), and graced the streets of Derby with my pirouettes and arabesques, the crunch of snow adding a delightful rhythm to my steps. The townsfolk paused their brisk strolls to gape in admiration, their smiles brighter than the snowflakes glittering in the sunshine. Honestly, a few kind pennies never go amiss!
A Journey to the Theatre of Dreams
With my pockets a little heavier, it was time for the grand leap back to 1860! I touched the shimmering pink leotard and held tight as the time machine started whirring, I was off! I emerged, in a haze of sparkling snowflakes and steamy chimneys, to a Victorian London awash in fog and the aroma of chimney smoke.
Walking down the street was akin to walking through a fashion history book come to life. Ladies in bustles, gentlemen with top hats, their attire a veritable parade of luxurious silks, plush velvets and, of course, copious amounts of lace. Their shoes, too, a spectacle of intricate buckles and shimmering embroidery!
Naturally, I had to visit the theatre, a veritable beacon of leotard fashion (although perhaps not the style I am known for today). The grand Drury Lane Theatre was resplendent in its Victorian grandeur, welcoming patrons for an evening of lighthearted comedy. What a spectacle awaited me!
On stage, ladies danced in their exquisite tutus, crafted of silk and tulle, a true spectacle of elegant grace. But what truly captivated my eye, my dear readers, was the evolution of the leotard! Unlike its spandex-clad, colour-bursting modern counterpart, this version was more about practical function. For the male performers, tight-fitting, sleek shirts that were meant to show off their athletic build were considered the attire of choice. However, the dancers in those long skirts with tight bodices beneath reminded me of the beginning of the iconic modern leotard. So thrilling!
Fashion From the Past
Oh, the sheer delight of seeing these sartorial delights up close! And there I was, perched on the theatre balcony in my 21st-century attire: a bold, pink sequined tutu (an ensemble which generated quite a stir), contrasting delightfully against the conservative, opulent Victorian fashion!
As I observed the fashion, a spark ignited in me - to bring the brilliance of the 21st-century leotard, in all its vibrant, stretchy glory, back to the Victorian era. It’s quite the ambition, isn’t it, darling readers? But I have such high hopes! To envision a world where tutus are not just for the theatre stage but worn freely in the streets, by women, men, children, everyone! Wouldn’t that be delightful? Imagine a world brimming with pinks, purples, blues, and all the colour you could possibly imagine!
Oh, but I must leave you now. It’s been so much fun delving into this fascinating era, uncovering the forgotten beauty of the earliest iterations of the leotard, and taking note of how much evolution has taken place, and how much potential there is for evolution still! As for my quest to bring a pink tutu revolution, I’m confident I’m already on my way, spreading the message through my street ballet shows.
Till next month darling readers! I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I did. Be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com to read more and see more images of my adventures. I will see you soon, when my next journey whisks me off to a new time and a new fashion journey!
See you soon!
Love,
Emma
