Post Number 190: The Adventures of Emma - Pink Tutu Time Traveller
Hello gorgeous ballet lovers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, my monthly fashion diary, where I flit through the ages on the wings of time, sporting a leotard made of pure magic! And this month? Oh my, my sparkly pink leotard has taken me to the delightful 1874, October the 10th! Imagine the most wondrous world of swirling crinolines, extravagant theatre and ladies with elaborate coiffures. This month, Iâm all about Victorian fashion, but not as you know it...
Remember last month when I was frolicking in 17th century France, dancing alongside Moliere in my favourite pale pink tulle tutu? Well, that journey really sparked my curiosity about leotards â about how theyâve changed, evolved, and reflected the changing world of fashion. It turns out, leotards in the 1800s weren't all that common! Most ladies favoured corsets and voluminous skirts â layers and layers of petticoats were all the rage. But oh, how I wish theyâd had pink tutus back then! Just picture it: waltzing down Regent Street in a flowing, romantic tutu!
So what did ladies wear underneath their voluminous garments, you might ask? This is where things get interesting. Forget the skimpy, stretchy leotard we know today. Imagine a sort of... corset? It wouldâve been tight fitting and restricting, not something you could perform cartwheels or even walk easily in! The corset was a must for any respectable Victorian lady â a foundation piece for her gowns, not a sporty piece for graceful movements!
However, 1874 did bring a small taste of athleticism, and thus, the leotard's grand entrance... to the stage, that is. The rise of music halls and vaudeville shows, particularly in London and other bustling European cities, was a cultural shift that demanded practicality.
My journey began at London's renowned Lyceum Theatre. Picture this â a grand Victorian auditorium filled with expectant faces. Iâd only just arrived via my enchanted pink leotard (which has become so magical it can carry me anywhere, at any time!) when the strains of a lively tune began. And in came the most remarkable spectacle â a troop of âperforming fairies.â You canât imagine how much I adore this word, âfairiesâ, donât you? It makes everything just a little more magical and oh so wonderful!
Now, these fairies, with their glittery wings and feather boas, didnât exactly resemble ballerinas â they weren't in delicate tutus. However, what really took my breath away was their attire: sleek, form-fitting, and â brace yourselves, lovelies â practical! It wasn't a restrictive corset; it was a one-piece leotard! But, as my favourite vintage fashion magazine states, it wasnât âanything quite as fancy as the leotard of todayâ. It wasnât made of soft spandex or a stretch material. No, my darlings, these were the forerunners of the modern leotard! These early stage leotards were made from simple fabrics like cotton, perhaps with some lace embellishment or decorative buttons. You know, the kind you'd see on your grandmotherâs favourite teacups!
Whatâs truly fascinating about the leotards worn on stage by the âperforming fairiesâ is how they were seen: not as purely decorative pieces but as functional costumes. They allowed for more fluidity and freedom of movement. I imagine those Victorian ladies, so accustomed to tight-laced garments, finally felt free on stage, twirling and twirling with confidence!
This, dear readers, was the birth of the theatrical leotard, a design born not from the pursuit of elegance, but from the desire to move, to perform. While my sparkly, pink leotard certainly had some practicality woven into it - as one has to, if you time travel in it! - my 1874 voyage was a reminder that leotards began as garments with a specific function, paving the way for today's expressive, versatile fashion item.
Imagine the world of 1874: where fashion was extravagant and frills reigned supreme, yet the stage beckoned for a more practical, streamlined outfit! It just shows that fashion, and dance in particular, are constantly evolving.
Now, back to my pink tutu for a moment, my lovelies. This visit to 1874 has left me feeling rather nostalgic. My tutu is a swirling symbol of romance, elegance, and, in the spirit of Victorian theatre, freedom. I mean, nothing says âlet your imagination flyâ like a swishing, fabulous tutu!
Itâs wonderful to have a reminder of the early roots of leotards, and I canât help but feel like these early performances with âperforming fairiesâ were my style icon inspiration! They may not have worn the glamorous pink tutus that are my personal style staple, but those Victorian-era entertainers are the very first leotard-wearing beauties who I see as true fashion icons. They truly set the scene for todayâs vibrant leotard-wearing community - a movement that stretches back further than we imagine.
Itâs funny how fashion comes full circle! My 1874 travels, with its âfairiesâ in simple cotton leotards and the grandness of Victorian life, was a breath of fresh air. This monthâs post, like the many I post to www.pink-tutu.com each month, reminds us of how far leotards have come. Iâll be sure to post about a vintage find in the attic of my Derby home as a nod to this historical revelation. I hope you enjoyed this journey with me to a time when stage leotards first found their niche! It was quite the experience! Until next time, darlings, let your inner fairy shine!
Now for some fun news in the world of leotards!
The Ballet Shoe is releasing a limited edition "Pink Tutu" line of pointe shoes - Iâve heard a rumour that some have been sprinkled with edible glitter (Iâm working on getting my hands on a pair of these for next monthâs blog post!)
Leotard fashionistas, you need to check out "Leotard-licious" at this weekendâs Derbyshire County Fair - their newest leotard creations will blow you away, you know I just love me some Derbyshire folk-inspired creations!
In London, the Royal Opera House is hosting a show called "Dance of the Century". I must see this - it showcases historical costumes and features a section dedicated to the evolving design of stage leotards.
Remember, darlings, lifeâs too short for boring clothing - let your inner fairy fly!
Yours,
Emma
(Ps, If you have any time travel advice, my magical leotard seems a bit glittery but it might be a bit too snug. Any tips would be fabulous!)
