#LeotardHistory during 1873 08 August

Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, and I’m back with a swoon-worthy blog post for you all! Today, my pink sparkles took me on a whirl to the grand year of 1873, and let me tell you, it was an absolute dream for leotard lovers!

My magical time travelling pink leotard (it's just the best, and I never travel without it) zipped me straight to the 8th of August 1873, in a whirlwind of glittery stardust! Oh, I was so excited!

This trip took me right to the heart of Parisian fashion. The theatre world was bubbling with excitement! The grand Ballet de l'Opéra was showing the incredible “La Source” by Léon Minkus - just a year after its premiere! It was full of extravagant costumes, beautiful dance sequences and a whirlwind of colourful leotards, the most striking being an enchanting dark green leotard, designed by none other than Charles Frederick Worth! Oh la la! That gorgeous shade of green was just so beautiful! The ballet dancers, with their sleek lines and effortless movements, wore leotards that emphasized every elegant curve, the whole experience just took my breath away!

But it wasn't just Parisian ballet that was embracing the leotard, the rest of the world was going absolutely crazy for the form fitting leotard, and I just had to check out some of the highlights!

Over in Russia, ballet was in full swing! I adore the dedication and artistry of Russian ballet dancers, their costumes are usually so vibrant, the patterns, colours and lace-like fabrics are just delicious. Even the casual, non-performance outfits in this time were utterly chic! From what I could see, there was a growing trend for leotards worn for gymnastics and physical exercises.

And in good ol' England! Leotard fever was catching on in London too! While it might not have been quite as grand as the Parisian Opera, theatre was still flourishing and it’s always a treat to watch some fabulous performances! Of course, I did have a bit of a browse at all the grandest London department stores! It’s incredible how fashion from this period is making a huge comeback, don’t you think? You could even see people sporting their everyday wear of frilly blouses, full skirts, and corset dresses! Such effortlessly elegant styles! But it was the delicate undergarments with frills that really had me enthralled! They were perfect for tucking inside a fashionable leotard.

Before I go off on a further tangent (and, let's be honest, who doesn't love to talk about leotards!), a bit of interesting history: This year, way back in 1873, something incredible happened in the world of athleticism: Jules Léotard was born! Who was he, you ask? He was a legendary French circus performer who introduced the amazing leotard into the world! Of course, leotards had existed in some form prior to this (think dance costumes and some performance attire), but it was Mr. Léotard who perfected the form-fitting silhouette that gave the garment its unique, enduring style. He called it "le costume à une pièce", which means one-piece costume. How cool!

It was fascinating seeing leotards start to truly flourish! Back then, they were a statement piece for athletic activities, for stage performers and even for fashionable women on the streets. It’s a little bit mind boggling how far they have come since that moment! They’ve become staples in everything from the theatre, and gymnastics to street dancing.

Speaking of street dancing… it was actually quite inspiring to witness how people were incorporating the leotard into everyday wear. Think sleek fitted designs, beautiful textures, and an elegant look. People in this time really knew how to make an impression, and a lot of the styles and details from this era are still popular today!

I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved getting a peek at all the incredible fabrics. Those rich silks, the lace and those sumptuous velvets that were in such high demand back then, they just don’t have the same quality or texture anymore! Oh, to go shopping back then in a swirling dress!

I must say though, one of the biggest treats was getting a glimpse of some of the vintage advertisements from this time period, showcasing the elegance and glamour of the fashionable leotards, and I’ve managed to get some for you lovely lot! Isn't it fascinating? Even though they didn’t quite have Pinterest back then, the aesthetic of these ads were so beautiful, and you can definitely feel the vibe that the leotard was so important, from being in high society, the ballet world to even regular folks on the street! They are just divine! And the details! The embellishments, the way the silk flows – every single one is so inspiring for future projects!

It’s just fascinating to watch how leotards have gone from being considered revolutionary to being an everyday, accepted part of our wardrobes. Even in my day, hundreds of years from now, the leotard has stood the test of time, showing up in fashion shows, on stages around the world, in gyms, and even in everyday fashion! That's the power of a classic style, you know.

And who knows what the future holds? Maybe someday, everyone will be dancing in pink tutus and shimmering leotards just like me, as my ultimate goal! It might not be too long! You all have the spark to make the pink tutu a worldwide phenomenon!

Remember, you can follow my journey on Pink-Tutu.com, my own magical fashion travel blog. I love seeing your comments too, tell me all about your love of leotards!

Until next time, darling!

Love, Emma xo

• P.S.: If you fancy checking out some awesome theatre shows around the globe, here’s what’s happening today – it’s sure to be delightful:

Paris: * The Grand Ballet de l'Opéra - La Source: Still running strong at the iconic Palais Garnier. The incredible set design and spectacular costumes (a must see!) are to die for! Vienna: * *The Hofopernhaus (Vienna State Opera): * A symphony of classical music, dramatic performances and luxurious interiors that really bring out the leotards! You just have to see them!

And don’t forget check out the dance performances at:

London: * The Lyceum Theatre: A place where theatrical innovations truly shine, I imagine it was brimming with theatrical energy!

Remember, even back in 1873, the world was just as fascinating as it is today! Go forth and be fabulous in your favourite pink tutu, darling!