Hello lovelies! Welcome back to another delightful adventure in the world of Leotard Fashion! I'm your girl, Emma, and I'm thrilled to share my latest trip with you all! It’s the 7th of July, 1872, and as always, my trusty time-travelling leotard is taking me on a fascinating voyage through fashion history.
For those of you just joining us, I’m a little obsessed with leotard fashion. It’s more than just an obsession, really, it’s a way of life. And when I say "leotard" – well, we’re talking about EVERYTHING, girls. Ballet tights, opera bodices, figure-skating frocks, that whole fabulous stretch of fabric designed for graceful movements!
Today's travel takes me to 1872 – think the time of Queen Victoria! Yes, it's the 7th of July 1872 to be exact. 👒 And my mission is to discover what leotard fashion was like during this time.
You know, back then, tutus hadn't really taken their shape yet, girls. We are looking at the transition period where women were pushing boundaries of dress and how far they could go in getting to express their feminine power. The year 1872 marked a pivotal moment where ballet started to step into the spotlight – literally! It wasn't all about frills and lace. This time period saw a definite move towards clothing designed for actual movement – for athleticism, even! Think of it as a stepping stone to the tutus and leotards we know and love today! ✨
Remember how I said I fund my travels by dancing in the streets? Well, believe me, in 1872, I’d be turning heads! Everyone was focused on a "modest and covered" approach to dress. Can you imagine how scandalous a street performance with a big pink tutu would have been?! I’m sure I’d be making front-page news! 😜
Back in time to the theatres and streetsLondon! Oh, how I love London. I love the feel of this city - the air feels electric with creativity and inspiration! This evening, I'm at the Royal Opera House. Now, I know I said I'm always up for street performances, but for something truly special you just can't beat a classic theatre show!
Tonight, I’m watching the London Ballet perform "The White Lady." It’s an absolute spectacle! What truly takes my breath away is the beautiful, simple and sophisticated choreography, paired with simple but elegant “Leotards” – they really allow the dancers to truly show off their exquisite movement. It’s about elegance and fluidity, and letting the body express the movement. 🩰
Remember my time-traveling leotard? Well, it’s shimmering beautifully in a pale-pink shade tonight. It has beautiful floral embroidery and lace, making me feel perfectly in keeping with the mood of the era! I am absolutely glowing with confidence as I find myself drawn to the theatre’s vibrant mix of fashionable dresses and extravagant accessories - all while reflecting on what it took for ballet to come into being, in the form it is today. It truly is a fascinating mix of fashion and history!
There’s such a great sense of adventure in 1872, and while some things have changed, a lot has also stayed the same. There's still this insatiable desire for movement, and for making fashion more practical for our everyday lives - that’s where the power of the leotard really comes through. What I truly love about the leotard is how versatile it can be - from being a graceful and artistic piece to a bold statement of strength - that’s something I truly cherish.
Of course, no visit to the Victorian era is complete without a trip to some of London's exquisite boutiques. Now, 1872 London didn’t have the luxury shops we have today. We’re talking tiny, beautifully crafted and hand-stitched pieces.
Think corsets, gentleman's shirts with ruffles, and flowing dresses. They just don’t quite offer the stretch, support, and athletic flair I am looking for. It’s at times like these that my leotard wardrobe shines through, giving a fresh, confident edge to the era. I’m all about making my leotard work! I believe in bringing something new and playful to the table - you don’t have to conform! There is a special freedom in making choices your own!
I was at the Harrods department store, where I was truly mesmerized by a fabulous display of velvet dresses. Oh, it made my heart skip a beat. Then I headed to the fashionable boutiques around Oxford Circus, where I picked up some wonderful accessories. I particularly fell in love with a delicate floral silk scarf to add a splash of romanticism to my wardrobe - a reminder that even back in those times, girls just loved dressing up!
### More Leotard fashion news around the globe
There are so many great fashion stories popping up around the world! This is, of course, about a century before the introduction of nylon, and those iconic Spandex and Lycra materials we use in our modern day leotards! So, there’s so much history behind this iconic piece of apparel!
While here in the UK we are going through a phase where dancers are showing a new appreciation for simpler forms of dancewear - there are many parts of the world pushing those boundaries. Did you know? Paris has some absolutely incredible fashion houses that are experimenting with bold, colourful and revolutionary dress - including fabrics! Think delicate satin, silk, lace and rich velvets – fabrics with movement and beautiful sheen - fabrics that can move the body and really catch the eye! They make some truly incredible ballet bodices! It really was an inspiring period for design and innovative use of textiles. It seems I might have to spend some more time exploring Paris!
On my blog you'll see photos from my Parisian travels as soon as I can get to a wifi spot - this is a very busy period in leotard history and I have a lot to cover! And the amazing thing about this trip back to 1872 is how relevant the fashions are today. Even in today’s time period when so much is accessible on the internet, fashion houses still often pay tribute to Victorian style. You’ll find Victorian inspired laces, velvets and the same detailed embroidery in contemporary designer fashion!
### Some exciting developments in 1872
What makes 1872 such a compelling period is that ballet is rapidly moving towards something more streamlined, less embellished - and more functional for the dancer! The dance world is becoming more aware of the importance of using clothing that works in conjunction with movement, not against it. I love that 1872 marked a turning point in terms of how women viewed themselves as movers, not just onlookers. It’s truly the period where we see dancers truly starting to move freely and confidently. I love that sense of progress, of breaking away from a previous generation and daring to express something new through the medium of clothing and performance! It was the very beginning of a journey towards the fabulous leotards and tutus that we have today.
### Keeping my readers inspired
Remember how I mentioned that I'm trying to get everyone to wear a pink tutu? I want everyone to understand that a tutu, a leotard, is a fantastic statement! It can be worn to a dance recital, a ballet class or, yes, even to your friend’s birthday! It’s about embracing freedom, femininity, and the sheer joy of expressing your style - It's a statement!
Until next time, my gorgeous lovelies! This is Emma, signing off from my time-travelling adventure - see you next time for another dose of Leotard fashion, inspired by the world of history! 🩰💕
Oh, and if you’re planning to look for some vintage pieces – keep your eye out for the stunning pieces in velvet. Remember those bold colours! They will truly make a statement.
Remember to head to www.pink-tutu.com to stay up to date with the latest leotard fashion news, blogs and reviews !
Stay inspired and dance your way through the day, my beautiful butterflies!
Emma 💖
This is Blog Number 163
