June 6th, 1874 - A Whirlwind of Victorian Elegance
Hello, darling readers! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another adventure in the wonderful world of leotard fashion. This month, I've been whisked away to the grand and glorious era of Victorian England, where corseted silhouettes reigned supreme and women's fashion was an intricate, captivating dance.
But don't let that word 'corset' fool you - Victorian leotard fashion wasn't all about stiff, unyielding styles. I found myself in a vibrant world of beautiful silks, exquisite lace, and bold colour choices. Of course, my dazzling pink leotard - it's the most marvellous time-travelling outfit, you know! - had everyone whispering, "who is that eccentric young lady with the bright pink ensemble?". They were captivated!
My first stop was the opulent Covent Garden Theatre, which is not at all a new experience for this pink tutu enthusiast! London is practically a second home to me and Covent Garden Theatre is a must-see for every leotard-loving time traveller. I absolutely loved seeing a performance of “The Vicar of Wakefield" - an adorable production full of beautiful costumes. I even had the opportunity to peek into the dressing rooms where the actors changed, and oh, what stunning costumes they had!
The female dancers, you see, were a vision! They wore beautifully crafted tights made of silk and velvet, a style that you rarely see nowadays. Their leotards were stunningly simple, form-fitting, and created using materials of the highest quality. Each detail, from the intricate lace to the ribbon decorations, screamed luxury. My heart practically leapt with joy at the sheer opulence of their dance wear.
Outside of the theatre, the streets buzzed with fashionistas of all shapes and sizes. The women, most in stunning bustled dresses, radiated a quiet grace. Of course, even with my dazzling pink tutu, I stood out – a lovely bright spot in this world of elegance. It made it all the more easy to talk with people about the fashion of the day.
They wore delicate linen undergarments which served as a smooth base for their skirts and petticoats, often layered in different hues and patterns, providing fullness and volume. While leotards for women weren't particularly widespread at the time, the corsets that were worn were actually somewhat inspired by dance! Their purpose was to create a similar, cinched-in silhouette. It was fascinating to learn how dancers inspired everyday fashion back then.
You see, this is what makes leotard history so exciting - it shows us that dancewear has always been intertwined with wider fashion trends. What began as practical undergarments for dancers often became fashionable garments for everyone. And in the Victorian era, this was particularly apparent in the influence dance costumes had on women's daily wear.
The world was quite a bit more formal back in the Victorian era. If I wasn’t time-traveling in my pink sparkly leotard, I’d have needed to put on an elaborately constructed frock with layers of tulle and embroidery! Oh, it wasn’t practical. But there was beauty in it all, so much beauty!
The leotards I found during my explorations weren’t only seen on the stage, though. The leotard began as a more casual garment. Made of cotton and knitted fabrics for the men, leotard garments provided a layer of warmth when working in chilly factories and workshops. For women, though, leotards, even as everyday wear, were not terribly common in the Victorian era - at least not in Derbyshire, my home. Though, even today, if you take a trip through our wonderful Derbyshire countryside you'll likely encounter the descendants of these leotards – practical and stylish farm overalls! I must confess, I sometimes wish my magical leotard would give me access to all the fashion trends, historical and modern. It'd be quite a sight, a symphony of silk and stretch!
As for myself, I indulged in some magnificent shopping during my Victorian adventure. One thing I noticed was the lack of truly pink garments - something which was hard for me to stomach as you can tell by my preference for all things pink! So, after a visit to an exclusive London haberdashery, I ended up with yards and yards of the most delicate pink satin ribbon. You wouldn’t believe the bargains you can find if you know how to haggle with those delightful haberdashers!
Now, dear readers, you may be thinking – how does one acquire this mystical pink time-travelling leotard? Oh, it’s a secret. But if you want a touch of time-travelling flair, perhaps I could share one of my secrets. How to create a simple but effective Victorian-style leotard for yourself? It's actually quite easy and I’ll make a little tutorial video to share.
For the Victorian dance leotard, just start with a basic leotard in a plain colour (such as black, white, or a beautiful deep burgundy). Then you'll need some satin ribbon, a couple of yards are all it takes. Using the ribbon, we're going to add those amazing, frilly details like a sash tied in a dramatic bow around the waist, or some adorable decorative flourishes on the sleeves and neckline. Voila! Instant Victorian glam.
This weekend, I’ll be in my leotard again – not the time-travelling pink leotard – and it will be the perfect day for some street dance! I can’t wait to showcase my skills. The energy of live performances is so uplifting! But if you’d like a quick trip to London this weekend for a ballet show, the Royal Opera House is putting on La Sylphide. It’s a Romantic era classic and the ballet company is superb – a must see if you get a chance! I always feel the excitement of theatre and dance shows.
Keep on dreaming of your pinkest leotards and dancing your hearts out! Don't forget to check back for more fashion time travel adventures on the Pink-Tutu blog every month, and join the wonderful leotard loving community over on our forums!
And remember: Life's too short to wear anything but pink!
Your pink-tutu loving friend, Emma
