Hello lovelies! Emma here, back with another exciting adventure through time in my magical pink sparkling leotard! This month, we're taking a trip back to 1868, a time when leotards were just beginning to make their mark on the world of dance and fashion. And as a Derbyshire girl, I'm always delighted to find a bit of history about what my ancestors might have been wearing!
For those who are new here, you'll find me dancing the streets of London every month, earning enough to fuel my passion - time travel in my pink sparkly leotard, of course! My little blog here on pink-tutu.com is where I share my adventures through time. A whole history of leotards to discover, just like the one I'm wearing right now. Pink is definitely the colour of choice for time-travelling ballerinas!
Now, 4th April 1868. Can you imagine, London, still a bit cobbled, bustling with horse-drawn carriages and gentlemen sporting top hats. No neon signs, but gaslights shimmering like fireflies. I popped out of my magical time portal right onto Oxford Street, with its quaint boutiques full of corsets and hoop skirts. Oh, the excitement!
My time travel leotard was a hit with passers-by. I was immediately surrounded by little girls, all eyes shining with wonder! I felt so incredibly lucky to be bringing a touch of whimsy and fashion to 1868.
What's Going on in the Leotard World of 1868
You see, dear readers, back then, the leotard wasn't quite the star it is today! Think of it like this - it was still finding its voice. The main attraction was the "tights", those single garment, knit legs, with feet (remember our pink tights? The ultimate staple!), but still mostly worn under petticoats.
Of course, the most exciting aspect for a fashion-obsessed soul like me was the evolution of the 'bloomers'. Picture this, little knee-length trousers with a 'flowing' (and probably a tad bit stiff!) skirt attached to them. You see, in the late 1840s, a rather outspoken lady by the name of Amelia Jenks Bloomer championed women's trousers - the bloomers. These trousers, though considered quite controversial in Victorian England, offered a degree of freedom unheard of. This sparked a bit of a fashion debate which lasted well into the 1860s and this movement contributed to the later rise of dance tights!
This 1868 visit had a big highlight - I stumbled across an exciting performance at the Royal Opera House. The ballerina, a beautiful creature named Anna, danced a truly captivating piece, and her leotard was a marvel! It was almost like the leotard we'd see in ballet today, but slightly less skin-tight, you know? It hugged her muscles, and was made with beautiful, soft velvet. The material almost felt like liquid silk, flowing with her graceful movements. And the colour? Imagine my excitement... it was the loveliest shade of blush pink!
There is so much we owe to those courageous women who bravely pushed the boundaries of fashion way back when. Without them, we wouldn’t have the comfortable leotard freedom we enjoy today! I had a chance to talk to Anna after the show, you know how it is - ballerina to ballerina chat! She told me all about the struggles of practicing in the corsets, the stiff skirts and tight shoes of the time. It really got me thinking, the importance of our leotards, not just as garments but as powerful symbols of movement, expression and freedom!
After my enchanting experience in 1868, I headed to the streets for my usual dance performances. Of course, my vibrant pink tutu garnered quite the curious audience! I danced, twirled, and leaped my way into the hearts of the Londoners! Their applause was truly a reminder that the power of dance transcends time, and a reminder of what our favourite dance leotards symbolise today.
I love meeting my little dancing followers during my London stints and sharing with them the history and the glamour of leotard fashion. This journey into the past really highlighted how the leotard, with its evolution, gave freedom of movement and made performance an even more beautiful expression of our feelings, dreams and creativity.
My journey through time wouldn't be possible without you dear readers! I always welcome new followers who join me in discovering the rich history of leotards! And remember our mission: To make every single person wear a pink tutu at least once!
Until next month!
Emma,
The Time Traveling Ballerina
