5th May, 1870: Where History Meets the Tutu!
Hello darlings, Emma here! It's been a while since my last travel post, but the magical, shimmering pink leotard was buzzing with anticipation, and this month's journey was too fabulous to wait any longer!
You know me, a good leotard can take you anywhere, especially if it’s adorned with enough pink sparkles. And today, dear readers, it’s taking us right back to the Victorian era! Let me set the scene. 5th May, 1870, and I've just hopped out of the time portal into the heart of London, resplendent in my pink tutu (because, let's face it, it's never inappropriate).
The world outside is a world of gas lamps, horse-drawn carriages, and ladies in elaborate crinolines. I’m definitely making an impression! There's an undeniable excitement about London in the air, and I’ve got a feeling I'm about to witness a fashion trend in the making!
You see, my mission for this trip? It’s about getting you ladies thinking about leotard history! The leotard wasn't exactly considered 'high fashion' back in these days, but it was an exciting period for this lovely piece of clothing, even if it wasn’t being worn under the glorious swathes of pink fabric you see in my street performances, darlings!
Before I even head out, I do some research, you know, because a pink tutu-wearing blogger wouldn’t want to look out of place in the Victorian era, and I’ve learnt that even then, a dance wear leotard was pretty common. The most well-known is the 'Tights and Tunic' designed for the great Mademoiselle Louise, a rising ballet star, but these outfits weren't just about the stage. They were becoming the inspiration for athletic attire - can you believe it, girls? It's where our beloved gym wear originates from, and a whole new way of dressing was blossoming in its wake!
Naturally, as a fellow fashion enthusiast, I needed to explore. So, I set off for the famous Liberty's department store. You can almost feel the excitement as I make my way past the ladies in their beautiful clothes - with corsets and long dresses galore. It was such an important landmark in Victorian times! It was a place where innovation and creativity thrived, and, ladies, I had to see for myself! It felt so modern, so revolutionary compared to the classic elegance I’d been witnessing everywhere else! And just as I thought I couldn’t possibly get more delighted, I was suddenly on the dance floor. Can you believe that, lovelies?
A glorious ball was in progress, and guess what? The guests were doing an unexpected little dance! Think about it! I just discovered a brand new style of dance taking place within the historic context of London! Not even the fanciest crinoline was standing a chance at keeping the excitement levels of the ballroom from bubbling over. It was a glorious kaleidoscope of colours and energy! And did I mention I’d had a fabulous time talking to a few lovely young men and women about the ‘latest' athletic fashion? Imagine their astonishment when I told them the athletic gear they loved was, believe it or not, inspired by dance outfits! It was definitely time to update the London Times fashion news!
For sure, London’s love affair with elegance continued. There was a breathtaking fashion parade for the ladies in the fashionable clothes of the day, a vibrant contrast of styles – silk gowns, fur collars, lace shawls, and, oh, the colours! But while fashion stayed very traditional, underneath it all, change was in the air.
In the grand old department stores, where silks shimmered, I stumbled upon a secret – the new fashion for leisure wear, all based on those amazing 'Tights and Tunic’ dance wear outfits! These garments were starting to become a hit for practical purposes! I mean, imagine all those wonderful new opportunities for moving around!
The Victorian world had started to embrace practical dressing and freedom of movement, all influenced by dancewear! You know I am always on the look out for an original piece to take back with me from each time travel adventure! This month, I just had to buy some of those lovely dance-inspired, sporty-looking clothes from the display, and imagine this, darling, I have the original piece to prove my point: A sporty white blouse made out of a very fine-knit material! And as I wander through the city I can hear laughter and the happy chatter of women talking about fashion.
The Power of the Leotard:
While it wasn’t obvious at the time, that journey showed me that even a piece of clothing like a simple leotard can be an emblem of change! And who knows what fashion-related revelations might be on the horizon! This experience has left me buzzing with energy, especially as it’s brought a wonderful sense of perspective about leotard fashion’s evolution through time. After all, the best part of being a fashion lover is remembering that style is something to be celebrated at every step, with the right leotard, the right attitude and, of course, a hint of sparkle!
And there’s one more thing, my lovely darlings. When you’re looking to create a trend or even just make an impactful statement with your look, remember: don’t let yourself be tied down to old traditions. Fashion is about exploration! I have a feeling I’ll be travelling a bit closer to home for my next time travel adventure. We will take a look at the trends that took hold closer to home and I’ll be updating you all about the amazing outfits that inspired women in Derbyshire, you know, my neck of the woods, and see how they embraced new styles while staying true to their own sense of grace!
Until next time, darlings, don’t forget: The most fashionable thing in life is being true to yourself, whether you're dancing through history or just looking fantastic at your local ballet class! And of course, my fellow time travelers, wear your tutus with pride.
Keep your heads high,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
