#LeotardHistory during 1867 03 March

Hello my lovelies! Emma here, back with another installment of my leotard-tastic travels! This month, I’m taking you on a trip back to the year 1867, where the very concept of the leotard was just beginning to take shape. As you all know, I adore my leotards – from the sleek and sporty to the dazzling and theatrical – and exploring the history of how they came to be is such a joy.

It was a bit of a chilly March morning in 1867 when I arrived in Derbyshire. My time travelling sparkly pink leotard was quite the statement! You wouldn’t believe the looks I got in my tutu – all a lovely shade of bubblegum pink – but trust me, they’ll be wishing they were rocking a tutu themselves soon enough!

I was excited to find that the fashion scene in the mid 1860s was full of a youthful exuberance – lots of frills, delicate lace, and flowing lines. The fashion of the day is truly inspiring when it comes to finding new leotard designs. I've even found myself designing new outfits inspired by 19th Century outfits.

While my leotard has been attracting a lot of curious looks, I'm finding the lack of a "leotard" itself surprising! But this makes my mission in 1867 even more thrilling.

The word "leotard" hadn't yet become synonymous with the dance garment we know and love today. It's quite incredible, when you think about it, how something so prevalent in our world was virtually non-existent!

Instead of a true leotard, female performers were primarily wearing outfits called "tights", often adorned with bows, ribbons and ruffles. But don't get confused, these "tights" weren’t the leggings we wear today - they were made of heavy cotton and were a lot like long johns!

I'm here to show the world of 1867 what a real leotard can do. It’s time to bring that tight-fitting, stretchy fabric to the world and give them a taste of the ultimate dance-wear.

For a little 1867 fashion inspiration, here are a few of the highlights of this amazing era in the world of leotard-ish outfits:

• The Debut of the "Tights": These garments, as I mentioned before, weren’t exactly the sleek tights we enjoy today. They were heavy, with complex designs featuring all sorts of embellishments.
• Ball Gowns of Enchanting Extravagance: Ball gowns in 1867 were pure spectacle. Imagine floor-length dresses with multiple layers of tulle, cascading to the floor, accented with dazzling embellishments – like miniature satin flowers and delicate lace. This sort of intricate detail has me daydreaming about custom made ballet tutus – imagine it!
• Corsets - Fashion's Embrace: You’d never believe the intricacy of corsets at the time! Corsets were not just about constricting, they were about shaping, sculpting and empowering! Their embellishments were the stuff of fashion dreams – lace, silk, ribbon… pure magic!
• The Rise of the “Tights” - A Dance Trend? It was incredible to witness the performance traditions of 1867. Many dances in the 1860s still required a fair amount of athleticism and strength. "Tights," in their limited fashion, served this purpose – at least in a heavy, cumbersome sort of way. But my mission? To bring that lightweight, stretchy wonder, that true leotard feel, to the stage.

And, of course, no trip to the past is complete without exploring the theaters! I even managed to catch a performance at London’s famed Covent Garden – an absolute dream! The atmosphere was thrilling! The dancers and actors, adorned in extravagant costumes and elegant tights, had a way of captivating the audience – such passionate energy and raw talent! It was such an amazing display of theatricality.

I may have had my own thoughts about how to get those fashionable ladies rocking their best tutus!

Here’s a peek into my pink tutu plan for conquering the 1860s:

• Bringing Ballet to the Street: Street performances! Nothing gets the attention of a new era more than some creative dancing. The power of performance? Unstoppable. I'm imagining a delightful blend of street ballet – some contemporary moves for modern flair, a little Victorian style to bring that historical grace, and, naturally, some fantastic tutu poses!
• Creating Leotards for a new World: I can envision fashion houses showcasing leotards as the new wardrobe essentials! From stylish designs that accentuate grace and femininity to practical garments for everyday wear, I believe leotards have a future in this decade, a world ready for that chic, form-fitting style.
• A Pink Tutu Party: Nothing brings people together like a celebration of style. I am thinking grand parties for all the elite of the era – where everyone can dance in dazzling tutus. It will be a whirlwind of frills, lace and vibrant colours!
• Showcasing the "New" Tights: A series of theatrical displays where leotards shine in their new brilliance. They'd see those lightweight, flowing materials… a revolution for stage wear! From ballet to vaudeville, it's all about getting the leotard into the spotlight!

Of course, my adventure in the 1860s isn't over. I have more fashion finds, exciting shows, and an abundance of inspiration on the horizon. But one thing's for certain – the world of fashion in 1867 has captured my heart with its energy and charm, and I’m already dreaming up ways to incorporate these fabulous ideas into my future designs.

Stay tuned, loves, for more on this era, more on my pink tutu adventures, more on leotards! As always, thank you for reading and keep sparkling. Remember – everyone can rock a pink tutu!