Hello darlings!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we journey through time, one twirling pink tutu at a time! This month, my time machine ā or, shall we say, my dazzlingly sparkly pink leotard ā whisked me off to 5th May 1871, to see what the world of leotard fashion was like in those days. And let me tell you, it was a very different world!
Now, you all know my motto: Lifeās too short to be anything but a radiant vision of pink tutus and twirling happiness. I have a truly fabulous life, bouncing around the centuries in my special pink leotard, dazzling people with my street ballet performances and collecting gorgeous leotards along the way. Oh, and of course, spreading the gospel of pink tutus! I must say, seeing a few Victorian women with almost tutus-like skirts on the streets of London certainly sparked an idea!
1871 - Leotard fashion - It was a time of change:
Fast forward to 1871. Fashion was on the cusp of exciting change! Back then, there were strict fashion rules, corsets that constricted the ladies' movements, and garments made mostly of fabrics like silk and velvet, which weren't ideal for our kind of, erm, energetic movement. But guess what? 1871 marked the very year that the ābloomer costumeā, which involved trousers and a skirt reaching just above the knee, first began to gain traction as an alternative for women! So revolutionary, darling! It was definitely a step towards a more comfortable and practical kind of movement ā though they were miles away from the graceful freedom of a proper tutu.
Speaking of movementsā¦ This was a big year for the world of theatre and dance! The ThĆ©Ć¢tre des VariĆ©tĆ©s, in Paris, had a fantastic run of its newest show, La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein, a romantic opera featuring lots of beautiful ladies in their colourful and quite form-fitting costumes. Though not quite what weād consider leotards, the dresses featured revealing bodices which hinted at the idea of movement and athleticism that were to come! Oh, and did I mention the gorgeously elaborate feather plumes? The costumes must have been positively magnificent, with all those feathers swirling and bobbing about on stage. The London Palladium was also brimming with spectacular productions, showcasing amazing performers, showcasing gorgeous garments on their performers. They would soon adopt leotards for dancing on stage! But that wasn't all! There was a rising trend for 'Athletic Clubs', particularly in London, and ladies would wear trousers and loose clothing to perform gymnastics and other sporting activities. So exciting, what wonderful strides towards athleticism, liberty and style!
From my own wardrobe for 5th May 1871 - My pink sparkle:
As always, darling, I embraced this time period with all the pink, glitz and, dare I say it, daring that I could! It may have been the era of corsets and restrictive attire, but this is Emma weāre talking about, remember? My personal style was a fabulous vision of blush pink, a tulle-based pink skirt reaching down to the knee - a glorious throwback to a later age - adorned with tiny pink crystals to match my equally sparkling pink leotard! Imagine - I was quite literally a glittering ball of pink joy, moving through the dusty grey streets, in my little sparkling, and highly impractical pink time traveling leotard.
From Derbyshire, England to a worldwide stage:
I spent this magical day exploring Londonās exciting theatre scene! The Royal Opera House in London hosted a beautiful rendition of āFaustā ā oh, it was divine, especially the final scene with the ballet! It was a magical experience to see these stunning ladies performing in what are now known as "ballets"! I found myself watching the graceful ballets of dancers, captivated by the beauty of their movement and the wonder of their flowing silk garments - almost tutus, don't you think?! Though letās be honest, nothing quite compares to a glorious tutu, a pink one in particular. Itās what truly lets a dancerās grace shine!
Itās all about the journey:
Even if the leotard-style looks weren't quite there yet, I had a delightful time embracing the style of this period and seeing how a love for ballet was beginning to spark and influence the fashion of the era! So, whether it's the vibrant Victorian costumes or the early stirrings of athletic wear, it was truly delightful to experience a little bit of what inspired leotards in the past! I found it fascinating, seeing how fashions evolved and eventually paved the way for leotard design we love so much today!
Remember, darlings, fashion is about self-expression! Itās a way to make a statement and make the world your stage. So go ahead and embrace the pink tutu life ā whether it's in the form of a gorgeous dance leotard, a sparkly outfit, or a playful piece of attire to inject a little joy into your everyday life! And if you ever find yourself in Derbyshire, you might just see me twirling on the cobbled streets. I promise to make a spectacular spectacle out of my journey into the world of leotard fashion, so youāll be sure to see me and my stunning pink tutu.
Happy dancing, everyone!
And remember, pink is always a good idea!
Much love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Remember, darling, a leotard's history isn't complete without you!
