Hello my darling tutu-loving friends! It’s Emma here, back from another whirl through the time vortex! As you know, I love to travel through the centuries, all in my trusty, dazzling pink sparkling leotard (and of course, a fabulously fluffy pink tutu). Today's trip is all about leotard history and how fashion has transformed throughout the ages!
This month, I’m whisked back to the 10th of October, 1867. Imagine – gas lamps, horse-drawn carriages and lots of bonnets! I was rather excited to see what the leotard scene was like back then!
But before I start gossiping about the fashions of yesteryear, let’s have a quick recap!
Quick Pink-Tutu Recap: My Story and Our Mission!
As you know, I’m a Derbyshire lass who absolutely adores dance, ballet, and all things leotard! But my passion for the stage has led me to something truly extraordinary – time travel! Yep, I’m lucky enough to have this magical leotard, that when I wear it and twirl three times, takes me back in time! Of course, my aim is to get everyone wearing a pink tutu – after all, what’s more fun than spreading pink fluffy love and inspiring fashion choices?! To fund this exciting life, I’ve been street performing (more on that later!). I’m absolutely chuffed you’re all here to follow me on this journey. So now, let’s dive into the fashion history of the past!
October 1867: Leotard Fashion
Upon arrival in the past, the first thing that caught my eye (besides the abundance of bustle skirts) was the lack of any obvious leotards on the street! Back in those days, it seems that leotards weren’t the fashionable garments that they are now. But don’t worry – I’m going to find some fabulous leotards and discover their story!
Now, this time I’m not heading straight to London's glitzy theatres! Instead, I decided to find a Victorian circus show. Let’s face it – what’s a time travel adventure without a dose of entertainment?! 🎪 After finding the biggest circus tent in town, I shimmied into the crowd.
Oh, it was fantastic! A troupe of performers were on stage, twirling with acrobatics and balancing with amazing grace! However, while the costumes were fabulous, I wasn’t able to spot any actual “leotards.” I did see some amazing outfits though – tights, leggings, corsets with tiny little shorts over them – not exactly a modern dance outfit! I was a little disheartened but excited to learn the leotard wasn't as central to costume in those times.
History Bites
Instead of disappointment, I went searching in bookshops! And guess what? After much flipping through yellowed pages and vintage tomes, I discovered the story of Jules Leotard – the acrobat for whom the leotard is named. He wore a snug-fitting costume of elastic knitted fabric – now you know where it got its name! He was a true trendsetter of his time and, much to my delight, he was also known for being rather flamboyant with his clothing. Sounds like someone after my own heart! Unfortunately, the “leotard” back then wasn’t yet in the shape we think of as the leotard today, instead, Jules’ elastic fabric creation was more akin to a tight fitting suit with long sleeves and long legs - like a "one piece bodysuit" that went down to his wrists and ankles, even having a small opening to allow him to access his pockets! That's fascinating to me because modern leotards usually have either bare arms and legs or just shorts on, which feels way more functional and beautiful when twirling and dancing. But the main takeaway is, the leotard design definitely had its genesis back in this Victorian time.
The Future of Pink: 1867 vs Today
Now, even if there weren’t many leotards on the streets of 1867, my inner fashionista was brimming with excitement. This was my time to learn! And you know what, even with the difference in style, there are definitely things we can learn from 1867 fashion!
Comfort Over All: As much as I love my glitzy costumes, Victorian clothing was really all about the fit – it was comfortable, form fitting and functional for what it was designed to do. This reminds us to remember to be comfortable, confident, and most importantly, to twirl with joy!
Accessorizing Is Key: Don’t underestimate the power of accessories. They can transform any outfit. Victorian fashion, as you might know, embraced bonnets, gloves, lace and jewels! It really added to the excitement of any occasion and allowed for expression. Think sparkly headbands, leg warmers and fun ribbons, to truly take your leotard from day to night!
Sharing the Pink-Tutu Love:
You’ve seen the incredible history behind the leotard! So what do I wear on my trips back in time? How can I embrace this historical leotard vibe while staying true to my pink-tutu fashion style? Well, my trusty pink, time-travelling, shimmering leotard is what I use for my trips and for dancing, and sometimes I take some gorgeous, full-length tutus and headpieces just to put on a fun street performance! I’m not saying it's appropriate for a full 1867 street performance but it sure is eye-catching, and often causes quite a buzz! But to really match those Victorians and stay true to that historical leotard design, I’m planning to make a brand-new, fun pink, form-fitting outfit with long sleeves and long legs, with little additions to pay homage to 1867's sartorial choices! What do you think?
I’m going to spend the rest of my time in 1867 researching and exploring! Let’s see if I can get some fashion tips for the pink-tutu revolution from those elegant Victorian ladies!
In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts about my post! Have you discovered any fascinating historical leotard facts? What are your favorite leotard styles, and why? What should I name my new leotard creation? Let me know in the comments below. And keep an eye out for a future post where I will share all my new fashion finds – and I promise to keep them as fabulously pink and tutu-ful as possible!
Love always,
Emma 💕🩰
Don’t forget to visit Pink-Tutu.com for the latest news on leotards, dance fashion, and the adventures of a pink tutu time traveller! 💖
