Welcome back, lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveller extraordinaire, bringing you another dose of fabulous fashion history. This month's jaunt has whisked me away to the Victorian era, landing me on a crisp October 10th, 1862! And you wouldn't believe the incredible fashion discoveries I've made...
Time Travel Sparkle
Now, you might be wondering how I made it back to the 19th century. It all started with my trusty pink sparkly leotard, a truly magical garment that lets me zoom through time! With a shimmer and a twirl, I found myself stepping onto the cobblestones of Victorian England. Let's just say, a pink tutu-wearing ballerina in Derbyshire was an absolute novelty in 1862, much to the amusement of the horse-drawn carriage drivers and street vendors!
Victorian Fashion Finds
What I found fascinating about the era, fashion-wise, is how the "Leotard" itself wasn't quite a household term yet! You see, dear readers, the humble leotard – the foundation of every ballerina's wardrobe, my dear friend – had its roots firmly in the circus, specifically the aerial acts.
Yes, my lovelies, this date, 10th October 1862, marks the date that the original Leotard was given its namesake! Jules Léotard, the French acrobat, revolutionised circus performance by introducing the skin-tight, practical "tricot," a garment that allowed for full movement and freedom. It was a fashion breakthrough! But you could have knocked me over with a feather when I discovered the 1860s Leotard wasn't really pink... imagine, dear reader! A pink leotard for the Jules Leotard?! That would have sent the Victorian ladies into hysterics! Imagine the excitement, it would have caused!
This incredible piece of fashion history got me reminiscing on the "before-times." I bet it's hard to believe today, but the "leotard" as a word and a garment was fairly unknown before Jules Leotard strutted his stuff on the high trapeze.
Show Time
That day, I decided to showcase the modern "leotard" for these 19th-century onlookers, who, needless to say, were completely enthralled! My pink tutu, adorned with delicate bows, twirled with the grace and ease of a ballerina from another era. I even did a mini-ballet routine right in the heart of London.
The reactions were priceless. Men and women alike were mesmerised. Even the street urchins stopped throwing rotten fruit and gazed at me in awe! One charming gentleman, clearly smitten with my style, even offered me a bouquet of wildflowers - the sweetest, most fragrant flowers, smelling like pure lavender and roses!
Fashionable Finds in the Archives
While strolling through London’s museums, I did a bit of digging in the fashion archives and found a few interesting tidbits. The The Illustrated London News, a magazine I quite fancy for its incredible fashion illustrations, had some sketches that featured dancers in what they termed “tight-fitting attire” – possibly early iterations of the leotard! It was quite remarkable, a kind of forerunner to today's fashion.
The leotards from that era weren't exactly pink, I am sure you're all picturing it! They were mostly black or white, with a hint of simple embroidery. The sheer beauty of it all! This is what inspires me about time travel!
A Pink Tutu Dream
So, my fellow fashionistas, I hope my adventures in Victorian London have ignited a passion for leotard history. You see, a pink tutu isn't just an outfit; it's a journey through time. A celebration of fashion, a reminder of how our style influences our lives, our moves and our very world.
Don't forget to join me on my next fashion-filled adventure – Pink-Tutu.com – you never know where the magic leotard might whisk us away to next! Until then, keep those twirls twirling and remember, pink is always in style!
Emma x
(PS: To keep this blog funded and keep the magic leotard sparkling, I'll be dancing my heart out in the streets of London. So if you’re ever in the city, do come and say hello. You'll know me - the pink tutu queen!)
