Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus reign supreme and the only thing better than a sparkly leotard is a trip through time in one!
Today, darling readers, we're stepping back into the fashion-forward, history-making year of 1866!
Yes, I, your devoted and ever-so-pink tutu-clad travel blogger Emma, have packed my time machine, that oh-so-sparkly, magical leotard, and I’m whizzing off to see what fabulous fashions were hitting the stage – and the streets – on the 12th of December all those years ago!
It’s been a long and wonderful journey (remember, my sweet friends, I do have a love for shows, which can get me lost in the excitement!) I’m back, though, full of tales of historical trends and leotard wonders! Let’s take a trip together and uncover the leotard magic of the past!
Now, this date, the 12th of December 1866, was a Thursday! This is a good day to be exploring leotard trends as a day out on a Thursday was less busy back then, leaving ample time to shop and check out what’s going on in the theatre scene, which always gives us inspiration in the world of ballet fashion.
It’s quite hard to imagine a Derbyshire Thursday in December without the bustle of the Christmas markets, so a London adventure was definitely in order for the 12th December 1866! Luckily, I did some fundraising street ballet performances a few weeks ago - thanks to the amazing crowd at the Peak District Christmas Market in my glittering pink leotard and dazzling tutus! - so I have enough to fuel my time travelling this time!
Firstly, let's look at street style - London in December would have been all about layers. Think cashmere shawls, plush velvet coats, fur collars and opulent cloaks. The ladies were certainly keeping themselves warm, but that wasn't keeping their fashion spirits down.
Now, when I first arrived back in London, I nearly went completely cross-eyed from all the swirling crinolines. Let me tell you, dear reader, a London full of puffy, billowing crinolines under full-skirted dresses was a magnificent, and rather overwhelming sight!
And the colour! Londoners were all about colours in 1866, think vibrant blues, reds and greens. The ladies even paired their rich velvet dresses with long silk gloves, topped with feather boas! So chic! Just as today’s fashions blend historical styles and futuristic designs, they must have blended their own sense of modern fashion into Victorian looks back then!
It seems that the theatrical world was, of course, a haven of dramatic colours, feathers, beads and glitz, all seen through the lens of the Romantic era which was all about dramatic expression and storytelling through fashion. This certainly would have led to fabulous, dramatic dresses and costumes in theatre! Think layered silk gowns, billowing fabrics, feathers, sequins and jewels! I imagine all kinds of glittering leotards under their show stopping gowns! I bet those lovely ladies loved them.
It was a time of elegance, where everything was about grandeur, lavish fabrics and delicate beauty. In 1866, fashion wasn't just about clothes - it was about making a statement, a spectacle that showcased beauty, style, and individuality. Fashion and theater combined were something truly unique and dramatic, but I'm a ballet-lover at heart so naturally I wanted to seek out leotards wherever I went!
That night, I went to see an opera - 'Faust' by Charles Gounod - which was a pretty grand night out indeed! As I’d packed my tiny sparkly, pink backpack with a tutu, I snuck it out and I had a little tutu twirl after the curtain came down and the show was over! I know it sounds audacious but it was really worth it. The lovely ladies sitting near me in the audience - all decked out in exquisite gowns, diamonds and furs! - smiled as I twirled! I had the feeling that this was exactly what they expected of a girl in a sparkly pink tutu! The stage costumes of the performance were magnificent too. Think lush velvets, silks and shimmering brocade, they must have taken a great deal of artistry and time to put together.
If there’s anything that unites the past, present and future of the leotard - or fashion in general - is that fashion is about expressing yourself and about creating a powerful and wonderful statement of style, and as always it’s always about what is going on in the world around us.
The Victorian era’s embrace of vibrant colours, theatrical expression and individuality continues to inspire today!
It's truly wonderful to step into another era and feel the energy, creativity and fashion-forwardness that flowed in the 12th of December, 1866.
Do join me next month on this exciting fashion journey as we explore a different date in fashion history - and of course - keep rocking your pink tutus, darling readers.
Remember, life is about making bold statements and spreading joy - one pink tutu at a time!
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
