#LeotardHistory during 1864 03 March

Hello, darling dears! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling, leotard-loving blogger. Welcome back to another instalment of my pink-tastic travelogue! It's time for a trip back in time, and today, we're setting our sights on the glorious year of 1864!

I was absolutely thrilled to step into my sparkling, pink time-travelling leotard this month. It was a most enchanting experience, especially as I realised I was off to witness the start of an exciting fashion revolution! And you know me, my love for leotard fashion is simply boundless.

Now, on 3rd March 1864, what did the world of leotard fashion look like, you ask? Well, I’m glad you did because today's journey starts in London's Drury Lane Theatre, where we are about to see one of the most famous ballerinas of the day – Louise Angélina de Vallombrosa, known to all as "Fanny Cerito"! Fanny is not just a ballerina, she's an absolute leotard icon! This famous Italian ballerina graced the stage in London wearing what you could call a true "forerunner" of the leotard, an item known as a "tunic-bodied" dress!

This beautiful piece, designed by none other than Mr Charles Frederick Worth, the father of Haute Couture (who could possibly have invented such a name?!!) is just breathtaking! Think a super-tight-fitting bodice, almost a bodice-leotard hybrid, with an elaborate and flouncy tulle skirt. And of course, with a perfectly placed little puff sleeve! Such a perfect design! I simply had to take inspiration! My dearest readers, this is one fashion idea that we absolutely need to bring back to our 21st-century closets.

I was lucky to be able to have a sneak peek backstage during Fanny's rehearsal for "The King's Musketeers"! She seemed like such a down to earth and lovely lady. And while I am here in London, I simply can’t miss a visit to a Mr. Worth’s shop. You just can't have a proper look into fashion history without seeing Mr Worth’s creations in person! You wouldn’t believe the opulence and grandeur! Every fabric feels like silk spun by fairies and all the decorations, even on the men's jackets, just shimmer! Truly dazzling!

Speaking of shopping, did you know that this era saw a boom in retail fashion? 1864 was a whirlwind of innovation, with fashion magazines starting to take off and the beginning of mass-production for women’s ready-to-wear garments. Suddenly, beautiful garments, even a sort of “everyday leotard,” as I like to call them, became more accessible to everyday people! Just think, darling dears! You could potentially pick up a leotard while running your daily errands – the world was changing!

So, what was happening beyond London's fashionable shores, you might ask? Well, I embarked on another trip, a true ballet tour to be exact. Imagine this, darlings! I ventured over to Paris, the City of Lights, where women were adopting more dramatic outfits –think elaborate bustle gowns with plenty of frills and layers, inspired by Fanny’s performance in London!

You might be thinking, “But Emma, where do leotards fit in with these fancy gowns?!” Well, dear reader, I'm pleased to share that this is the age where fashion is a much more experimental space. We're not confined by specific silhouettes. The bustle gowns became a beautiful backdrop for what I call “leotard accessorizing” –think ribbons, delicate lace trimmings, or even tiny beaded details, incorporated to create a more athletic and fashionable silhouette. A truly perfect way to channel a touch of Parisian flair!

After such a whirlwind trip through France, I decided it was time for a little adventure. I landed in sunny California and took a chance with a spontaneous trip out to Los Angeles. Imagine my surprise, my dearest reader, when I stumbled upon an absolutely mesmerizing show at the newly opened California Theatre! It was a vaudeville show – a delightful mix of acrobatics, comedy, and even a little bit of dance! A delightful experience, to say the least. They weren't exactly sporting leotards but the outfits were bold and flamboyant! I even saw a few ladies who were wearing the beginnings of bloomers - another forerunner to the leotard, as far as I am concerned! I even had a chat with a charming gentleman named John - a fellow traveller through time! Such a delightful moment when we recognised that we were both, unknowingly, following the trail of “the leotard's lineage.” You see, my darling dears, the story of the leotard is a journey, a vibrant one that starts here in the middle of the 19th century.

As for what was happening further afield in 1864, let’s have a peek across the world at some American fashion trends. There was a growing popularity for simple styles - we are talking comfortable yet fashionable attire, with simple cotton dresses that are practical yet stylish. You can see some of these everyday, comfortable silhouettes beginning to evolve into what I would say are the “everyday leotard.” *Imagine comfortable fabrics, minimal embellishment, and a timeless design. *My goodness, if only those ladies knew what the next few decades hold in store! We would certainly see an exciting evolution towards the modern, versatile leotard!

Well, I must be off, darling dears! Time is of the essence, especially when you are time-traveling, and my next stop will be taking me further along this magnificent, pink, sparkly path of leotard fashion history! Don't forget to tune in next month for another blog post - and in the meantime, feel free to explore your own “leotard journey!” It is simply thrilling!

And of course, do remember to always rock a pink tutu!

See you soon!
Emma xo