Hello Darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back with another dazzling journey through the world of leotard fashion. This month, my shimmering pink time travelling leotard whisked me away to a delightfully old-fashioned 3rd of March, 1866, a date that, let me tell you, had me practically pirouetting with excitement!
Now, I must admit, it wasn’t all sunshine and sugar plums upon arrival. My oh my, did the air smell of something a bit...musty! Thankfully, my pink tutu was still as sparkling and fluffy as ever. The lack of stretchy fabrics was a bit of a shock to the system - but luckily, the sheer delight of discovering those exquisite, intricately embroidered ballet slippers made up for it. Can you imagine, ladies? Tiny satin shoes that would require the patience of a saint to make - divine!
Leotard fashion in 1866, a world of elegance
Think billowing skirts, tightly corseted bodices, and the faintest glimpse of a leotard hidden underneath it all. While our modern ballet styles had yet to bloom, there were already glimpses of a silhouette that would lead us, you see, to our current love of stretchy, graceful fashion. Imagine! The graceful dance costumes of that time – a symphony of satin and silk. While, for the most part, these leotards were purely functional for training, some ballet schools were already pushing boundaries with shimmering fabrics and colour accents!
While I was quite overwhelmed by the abundance of layered tulle, ribbons and sashes, and those delightful hats (perfectly perched on top of ballerina hair, of course), what truly captivated me were the dancing women themselves! Their grace and precision - despite the restricting clothing - was breathtaking. It reminded me of the important reminder: no matter what we’re wearing, what really shines is our own elegance and joy.
My adventures on this whirlwind trip
Speaking of joy, I simply couldn’t resist a performance that evening at the London's Drury Lane Theatre! Just the thought of it still sends shivers down my spine! The grandeur of the theatre, the swirling, shimmering dresses, and the mesmerising ballet - it was absolutely exquisite! As a fellow performer, I can't describe how enthralled I was by their technique and talent!
You know, ladies, this little trip back in time reminded me that our journey through leotard fashion isn’t a straight line. It’s a whirlwind of creative leaps and exciting moments. It is about embracing both our history and our present. While it’s undeniably fabulous to indulge in vintage leotard designs and those charming ballet slipper creations (honestly, I could get lost in a vintage shoe store for hours!), I’m always so grateful for the modern wonders we have available today - think breathable fabrics, a plethora of colour choices and incredible comfort for both our performances and everyday life.
My secret little performance - and how I fund my adventures
As always, I couldn’t just be a passive observer. After my whirlwind theatre adventure, I decided to put on my pink tutu and do a little impromptu performance myself in the heart of London. After all, how can we truly embrace leotard fashion unless we dance in it?! Thankfully, the good people of London were as charmed as always, and I even had a lovely couple of shillings tipped into my hat! Now, some of you might wonder - how does Emma fund all this wonderful time travel? Well, it’s quite simple, really!
I use the very coins I earn by dancing on the streets to fuel my trips. My leotard collection keeps me in tip top shape! Each sparkly performance gives me the magical energy to travel through time! My dearest ladies, nothing in the world brings me more joy than combining my passion for performance, leotard fashion and exploring all the colourful chapters in its story!
Oh, and before I go, a bit of exciting news!
Have you heard? The Royal Opera House in London is hosting an exquisite exhibition in March! You'll have the opportunity to immerse yourselves in the breathtaking history of leotard and ballet costume design - from early sketches and models, to showstopping outfits worn on stage! I'll be attending, of course! And if you see me, give me a wave! It would make my day to see some lovely, sparkling faces in the crowd.
Until next month, my dears, keep those tutus twirling!
Your dazzling time-travelling friend,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
*P.S. Let me know in the comments, my sweet dears, where would you love to travel in time with me for our next blog post? I love to hear your ideas! *
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