#LeotardHistory during 1860 03 March

Hey everyone! It's Emma here, back with another instalment of my time travelling leotard adventures! Today, we're diving into the fashion archives of 3rd March 1860. My trusty pink sparkly time travelling leotard has deposited me in a world full of bustle skirts, bonnets and, yes, you guessed it, some surprisingly familiar fashion for us leotard lovers!

Before we dive into the historical delights of this day, let me tell you a bit about my travels this month!

This week, I've been waltzing around the streets of London, strutting my stuff in my sparkly leotard! My performances have been a roaring success. Imagine - a vibrant burst of pink amidst the grey! Honestly, Londoners can't get enough! It's been a wonderful way to gather funds for my next leotard adventure. Did you know? There's an ancient Egyptian tomb with a collection of incredibly ornate ballet shoes - I can't wait to check those out!

Now, back to March the 3rd, 1860.

Today, the Victorian era is reaching a point of … well, a kind of dance fashion explosion, and trust me, the ladies are having none of their usual corsets and crinolines. I know, right? Think about it – the Victorian age, that's when those big puffy skirts and heavy fabric became so prevalent. But something amazing is happening right now in the world of performance dress!

Here’s the thing: A new type of dance class for women is beginning to be fashionable: The Calisthenics Class. You may not recognise this name, but you might be surprised to discover just how crucial this movement was to dance fashion – it basically sparked the leotard revolution in the Victorian world!

I went to a Calisthenics class and had the most amazing time! You can almost imagine, it's an evolution – the whole movement about exercising to promote a stronger body, is making people think about their clothing in a new light.

Imagine – you’re there, sweating, moving freely. These classes require garments that are practical, comfortable, and free flowing - goodbye bonnets! Ladies, think of the freedom of movement!

And here's where things get super exciting: The fashion of these classes is being brought to the stage!

Enter: The Tights! Remember, folks, 1860s! No nylon here. Think of tight fitting white cotton – very elegant for its time. These beautiful stockings with the long tunic style outfits are perfect for showcasing every graceful turn and flex. They are making their way into the dance world and they're not afraid to be seen!

It's like they’re saying – 'Yes, I am going to wear practical clothes that will show my muscles, my shape and I’m not afraid to feel feminine while I move, I will not let these corsets bind me, I am taking control of my movement and how my body looks when I dance!''

Hold onto your hats, because there's even more to get excited about! The Leotard (yes, we love you, Leotard!), as we know it now is beginning to emerge, too! I even saw one at the opera - in pale blue cotton and decorated with elegant pearl embroidery. You could really see the start of the movement towards a style that was designed for dancers, one that embraced freedom and femininity at the same time.

Now for the best part – there are a few fantastic developments in the tutu world, and here's why it makes my ballet heart leap:

This was the time, my friends, when the tutu got a total make over – goodbye to layers of ruffles and long gauzy skirts, a new, simpler form of the tutu has emerged, featuring multiple layers of tulle with very few layers! Think airy and flowing!

This is how the dancers can move and jump with more freedom and it still looks utterly magical. If you're a fan of ballerinas twirling and dancing, this was a revolutionary move! The shorter style allows for those dramatic leg extensions that we all adore!

We are just starting to see the shift in performance fashion from this era; the clothes were being adapted for dance and the move to elegance and style had begun! This revolution in leotard fashion went hand in hand with an evolution in the types of shows! I can't wait to see how it will all unfold next month!

With sparkly pink love,

Emma