Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveler, reporting live from, well, actually nowhere specific today. The magical powers of my sparkly pink leotard have whisked me away to…1872! Yes, you heard right. The year the world was first introduced to the electric light bulb, the year a man named Albert, wearing nothing but a sparkly leotard (probably not), invented the safety pin, and the year leotards, darling, were just getting their first real taste of fashion stardom!
Now, I know what you're thinking: What was leotard fashion like in the year 1872, Emma? Well, my dears, the leotard, back then, wasn’t exactly a staple of the wardrobe for your average, everyday fashionable woman, as it is now. The "Leotard" itself was pretty much synonymous with tight-fitting attire for, yes, gentlemen – think acrobats, circus performers, and the like! Now, of course, a ballerina wouldn't be caught dead on stage without a leotard under her costume – even back in the 1800s. But it was far from the universally loved garment it is today, embraced by every little dancer and adult dancer.
So why the change? Well, you can blame (or thank!) a little ballet superstar called Jules Léotard (he certainly had the coolest name) who invented the one-piece garment! Now, as you may well know, back in the mid-19th century, when we’re talking about clothing worn in theatre productions, everything was all about the long flowing skirts. Layers of beautiful fabric and - especially if you were performing on the stage - they were quite uncomfortable! A few designers had even introduced undergarments that resembled a kind of loose-fitting body stocking, but not Jules. This visionary chap (whose family were actually the founders of one of France’s famous circuses!) wanted to make performing more free-flowing and dynamic and thought that if a man’s gym suit could help make that happen then why not a tighter fit for women on stage?
That, my darling readers, is how Jules Léotard made a bold move into leotard fashion history - and he pretty much created the whole world of tight, form-fitting clothes as we know it now! Although there is another man’s name attached to the leotard. We should never forget the fabulous French ballet dancer - Charles Liotard (a distant cousin to our leotard hero). He was pretty much Jules' closest confidant and, I hear, gave his fashion buddy the inspiration. Oh, it's hard to get my facts straight on this one. So much exciting and slightly confusing history in the world of leotards - but I promise, once I’ve had time to do more research (perhaps whilst having a cuppa!) I'll be writing an in-depth article for you.
Anyway! To get back to 1872 and this super cool guy’s ground-breaking invention. As much as I love the tutu - it is, of course, a vital part of any performance on stage - it just isn't really possible to dance in without a proper foundation underneath it - think layers and layers of net or tulle for that iconic puffy skirt - a ‘tight fitting, skin hugging leotard (or something resembling a leotard ) for ladies’ on stage, or for acrobatics or gymnastics for men - had to happen, otherwise no one would get a decent leg extension! Imagine, we’d probably be wearing leggings - maybe! How shocking, that would be! (but, they’ve just recently invented nylon back in 1886. Goodness, I have a lot more to think about - we may even have a 'stretchiness factor in clothes by then!). I mean - could you imagine? Leggings and leotards… not together? In fact, maybe, for men anyway, some clever inventors are actually looking at leggings right now… hmm, what a thought for the future of leotard history - let’s keep those thoughts, darling! -
What’s going on, then, in 1872?
- Leotards in all shapes and sizes for men are definitely starting to come into fashion and more and more circus performers are now embracing the comfort, stretch and ease of movement. It’s not really a surprise when you see all the extraordinary feats these chaps can perform - and yes, a lot of the performances involved wearing these incredibly comfortable one-piece leotards (and I know some of you guys love that, darling - I have an idea for my next costume! You'll have to watch out for my next post!). The women’s outfits? Well, on the stage - definitely a leotard under their costumes. There are even women who are going for the acrobatic style (although with slightly looser fitting clothes - of course, they have their modesty to think about!.) Now, back in 1872 - we aren't really seeing women’s leotards popping up in the general public but let’s give it a few years and all those dancers will be making that transition - especially, darling, when we see more ‘comfortable’ fashion hitting the stores, thanks to inventions in fabric materials. You'll find me right here - with my pink tutu on - as always - to report those fashion updates in detail!
Anyway - in 1872 - there are plenty of fashion designers making some real moves to really embrace the 'comfortable-yet-beautiful' - and let’s face it - that ‘look’ is a total trend in men’s fashion this year - so why not see what the lovely ladies are sporting too? I know we'll definitely be seeing a lot of movement away from corseted dresses for comfort and towards looser fitting tops - although I’m pretty certain you will always find your standard corset fashion right through this century and onwards - maybe that’s a leotard for the future (in my mind! And probably, it's happening, just not on the high streets). I would, in a heartbeat - and the girls are already taking on leotard and ballet-inspired fashion - let's take the idea to the next level and make that change happen now - I have, of course, an image in my mind - how beautiful! - and now that we have a photo editor, on our blog site - well, I know exactly what I have to do - I have just found myself a new design for a pink tutu! How absolutely beautiful it will look… I have so many ideas … but I need to go now, I think it’s time for a little bit of leotard shopping in 1872… Bye bye for now, darling. See you soon -
Emma
Remember, my darlings, to subscribe to ** www.pink-tutu.com for more pink tutu time-travel adventures and, as always, follow me on my social media pages @PinkTutuTravels and watch out for me, as I make my way through the streets of the world and its exciting cities… in my fabulous pink tutu! Remember, let's bring the pink tutu to everyone's wardrobe - so do get involved, comment on this post and on any of my other blogs, and give your opinion! I love hearing from all of you.
*I'm a girl, in Derbyshire, in love with pink tutus, leotards, and ballet, dancing my way around the globe, and embracing the fabulousness of leotard fashion! What will my next pink tutu time-travel adventure bring? You’ll have to wait and see! I just love this fashion so much – my dream has become reality: time-traveling to explore all aspects of this incredible look that's taken over the world - for women and for men! I’ll be right here, wearing a pink tutu. *
