Hey darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! It’s Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire-born ballerina with a penchant for pink and a passion for leotard history! This month, my sparkly pink time-travelling leotard took me all the way back to December 12th 1865! And let me tell you, the leotard world was quite a bit different back then!
I’m all about sharing the magical history of leotards, tutus and all things dance fashion! And what better way to do that than with my monthly time-travel escapades! To fund my adventures (and, of course, keep my wardrobe stocked with the latest in leotard fashion), I perform street ballet in all the best cities. This month’s fundraising tour saw me performing in Paris! The Eiffel Tower is just magical when bathed in twirling pink tulle, I must say!
Now, on with the time-travelling tale of 12th December 1865…
A Whirl Through Time – 12th December 1865
I landed, in my trusty pink sparkly leotard, right in the heart of London. It was a snowy day, and the city was a whirl of activity – horse-drawn carriages jostled for space, street vendors hawked their wares, and families were huddled up, making their way to the theatres for the evening’s entertainment. It was so exciting to breathe in the gaslight-infused air of Victorian London!
You see, 1865 was a truly pivotal year for dance. The era of romanticism in ballet was ending, making way for a more dramatic and technical form of dance. Ballet costumes reflected this shift – the grand, flowing romantic-era skirts and bodices were starting to give way to sleeker silhouettes. The leotard was still in its infancy, so I was interested to see what the dancers of the day were wearing!
The Leotards of the Victorian Era
Instead of our glorious modern-day leotards, the dancers of the Victorian era relied on something much more... erm... basic. Think cotton camisoles and knee-length drawers (or knickers as we'd call them today!), often paired with a kind of calf-length bloomers or trousers. These garments were often made of thin white cotton or silk and were quite restrictive compared to today's dancewear. They allowed for the freedom of movement required for ballet but were far from the comfortable, streamlined styles we have today.
It's fair to say that these early dance garments would have been quite a different experience for any ballerina! But in the spirit of leotard exploration, I, of course, gave them a try! It’s safe to say I’ll be sticking to my stretchy pink leotards for the rest of my time-travelling journeys!
Catching a Show!
As an avid theatre goer, a trip back in time wouldn't be complete without seeing a performance! My trusty travel guide for the era, (the ever-fabulous "Time Traveller’s Pocket Book" - a must-read if you’re planning your own Victorian-era escapades!) led me to Her Majesty’s Theatre for the Royal Italian Opera. It was packed full of elegantly dressed guests – men in their top hats and women sporting intricate gowns, some with even more elaborate ruffles than a tutu!
On stage, the ballerinas danced beautifully! But, alas, no tutus – it would be another ten years before tulle started to make a proper entrance onto the dance scene! Still, it was wonderful to see ballet as it was, full of drama and romance! And although their leotard style was simple, they held themselves with a majestic elegance that I can only admire!
Looking Towards the Future of Leotards
Though the leotard fashion in 1865 might seem a little lacking to my modern taste buds, it’s important to remember this is where the journey began! The Victorian era paved the way for the beautiful, sleek, and incredibly versatile dancewear we know and love today.
I truly believe there’s a magic in wearing leotards, especially a pink one! And I can’t wait to share more of their journey with you! Keep your eyes peeled for my next monthly leotard time-travelling blog post, here at www.pink-tutu.com!
And until next time, remember, wear your heart on your sleeve (or on your tutu!) and don't be afraid to express yourself through your own unique dance fashion!
Lots of pink love,
Emma
P.S. What’s your favourite leotard style? And tell me, have you tried making a pink tutu at home yet? Let's discuss all things dance fashion in the comments below!
