Hello, my gorgeous darlings!
It’s Emma here, back from another dazzling trip through time! You know how I love discovering leotard fashion throughout the ages. This month, I've set my sights on August 8th, 1874. Oh, the wonder, the delight! Imagine, a whole new century to explore! I can't wait to tell you all about my latest fashion finds!
This month's time travel shenanigans? Well, imagine a sparkly pink leotard that can zip you back through time. Imagine, dancing down cobbled streets of London one minute and then strutting through the French countryside the next! Yes, you're right, that's exactly what happened to me this month, all thanks to my trusty magical leotard! It’s my favourite accessory! I always wear it on my travels, it looks amazing. My little pink tutu gets all the admiring glances, oh, and I do love a little tulle fluff. It’s what brings my life happiness and meaning! It’s my raison d’être – that’s fancy French, by the way!
Back to my August 1874 trip! I arrived in London and my oh my, what a glorious adventure awaited me. I can't believe how much fashion has changed! They had everything! Tight-fitting corsets, elaborate gowns, bonnets galore! I popped into a few theatrical costumier’s shops to find some lovely inspiration. A real mix of elegance and grandeur. As a budding performer myself, it’s wonderful to be inspired by some real greats! You can tell it's a time when women's attire truly played an important part in life.
Speaking of women and leotard fashion! What’s new in 1874? They weren’t wearing our fabulous pink leotards back then – yet – but did you know, women were getting quite the fashion fix. Ballet was starting to get quite popular. Women’s tights are making an appearance but not in those vibrant pink colours we adore. Oh no, they’re a little less exciting – imagine more like shades of buff and beige – but let’s give the women of 1874 a little credit, it was an innovation, albeit quite demure.
But what’s super exciting is the use of elastic to make more forgiving shapes. What do you know, in the world of women’s leotard fashion there was some progress to celebrate, albeit a little bit more subtle and sophisticated than my bold colour palettes.
A peek into the exciting life of my fellow dancers! I was a little envious of the glamorous life led by professional ballerinas in 1874. My eyes truly popped out of my head! Some of the dancers who were dancing on that day, some of them are well known, you might even have seen their names. Imagine being a star back then and a huge influence! Well, I went and watched one of the ballets they were performing! Oh my! The elegance was sublime, not as acrobatic and bouncy as today's ballets, more about poise and strength. The dancers looked as if they were floating! They used very interesting moves that are still used today. These ballet classics, they don’t get old do they? What do you think?
But it’s not just London, is it?! Let’s have a peek around the rest of the globe in August 1874! It turns out my dazzling pink tutu wasn’t the only thing on display!
What do you think? Imagine dressing up in your finest pink tulle – and I always bring some of my tutus when I time travel. The tulle back then was made of silk and you wouldn't find that colour pink for another good few years, but you can't deny, the outfits and dance costumes are inspiring. Even the colours - think royal blue, deep reds, soft pinks - all very grand. My gosh! What a dream!
On the Parisian stage, life is a whirl of colour! I had a little adventure at the Opera. They have these beautiful ladies who dance in long white skirts with just a little peek of white tights on show! The dresses have a flowy romantic quality and then all of a sudden we are in a little French salon and ladies are in velvet dresses and even more ornate jewelry. Such sophistication.
Fashion was blooming in Italy! Oh the ladies in their lovely corsets with full-skirted dresses, and those wide bonnets with plumes! I bought some fabric in Venice. They do this wonderful lace that is hand-stitched and beautiful – I am so excited to have my pink leotard dress made using the lace – it's my secret, shhhh… You’ll be the first to see!
Across the sea in America, there was excitement, too! A group of people started the American Ballet Company! It's the beginning of something truly exciting. What an amazing gift for dance, it feels so good to be part of history in my own way! It makes me proud of my love of ballet and all things pink leotard, and a real reminder that all this beautiful movement comes from somewhere. We've got such a lot to thank the ladies and gentlemen of 1874. What a brilliant bunch.
Did you know this is how a woman’s dress would typically be worn? It was all about being elegant and sophisticated - tight corseted waists, and bustles on the rear. Not all dresses were made like this – there were different lengths to choose from. They didn't all have big fancy sleeves, some just had a plain skirt. And that pink! Yes, it was everywhere! I saw pink fabric and ribbons being used as decorations and in women's hats. What's really exciting is women’s trousers are starting to become part of the fashion scene, but in a really gentle and lovely way. I spied a lovely couple wearing this gorgeous shade of grey, really chic with little detail to show a more stylish trend was beginning. A bit more modern for the times.
It wasn't all grand parties and elegant events. There were ladies in every sort of occupation, women going about their day to day activities. You wouldn’t really know from their dress – oh how I’d love to show them our bright pink leggings with colourful printed tutus – what a sensation it would make. It wouldn't be all sequins and feathers but definitely more fun.
Back to London, my ballet heart was throbbing with excitement! The whole month in 1874, just like every time I travel, was so exciting!
I have so much to tell you and I could tell you for ages. All this fun fashion is starting to inspire some big ideas in my mind! So look out for more stunning posts and if you’d love to come and see me perform, keep up to date and visit www.pink-tutu.com. There’s always a show in Derbyshire, that’s where I’m from, and sometimes I get up to the capital city too – a lot of theatre lovers there! I’d love to meet you all!
*Until next time, stay stylish and be bold. Keep twirling! *
Emma x
