Welcome to my little corner of the internet, darlings! 🎀 It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another trip down Leotard Lane for #LeotardHistory! As always, I'm coming to you live (well, kind of... it's 1876) in my dazzling pink sparkling leotard! This month's journey whisks us away to the 5th of May, 1876 - and trust me, you're not going to want to miss this one! 😉
This is post number 209 on www.pink-tutu.com - and like every other month, my passion for ballet fashion has fuelled my travels across the world (or at least, across time!) It's all thanks to my street performances. Just last week, I was twirling by the Seine, dazzling the Parisians with a showstopping interpretation of The Dying Swan. You know how it goes – click, click, boom, another pink tutu has been planted! It's an exhausting job but someone has to do it, darling!
Anyway, I'm digressing - let's dive into what the world of leotard fashion was like way back in 1876. Now, let me tell you, it's a lot different from what we know today!
1876: The World of the Bodice
Imagine, dear readers, a time before leotards as we know them, before the sleek lines and sporty fabrics of the modern dance studio! Imagine instead… the bodice. Yes, you heard me right, the corseted top worn underneath a multitude of petticoats and skirts! Oh my, what a far cry from my delightful leotards, don’t you think?
However, a tiny revolution was brewing.
Back in the Victorian Era, it seems that the stage was slowly becoming less… well, let’s be honest, a lot less covered up. Enter The Dance Blouse, a revolutionary item for its time. Made from lightweight fabrics, often cotton or silk, these blouses offered a slightly more revealing silhouette than the typical undergarment.
A Glimpse into Ballet: The World of The "Bodice"
The ballet world at the time still embraced the classical ballet tutu (oh, the drama! the swishing!), but even they were beginning to see a slight shift in fashion.
Take the renowned dancer, Anna Pavlova, for example. While she never strayed from the classic ballet blanc, (we're talking crisp white tutus, delicate flower crowns - all about elegance and romanticism) even her dresses had subtle whispers of revolution.
Imagine her in a ballet blouse tucked just so beneath a tutu, adding a touch of lightness to the more restrictive look of the traditional corseted bodice. This was the subtle move, bringing lightness to the stage while preserving elegance.
Now, don’t let anyone tell you that the 1870s lacked style!
The fashion houses were churning out intricate details - bows, lace, embroidered velvet - oh my! It's this period that birthed the era of extravagant embellishments on dancers’ costumes. Just think of all the ribbons and sequins. What a show stopper, eh?
Across the Atlantic: A Touch of America
Remember that big historical event taking place around this time? I'm talking about the American Centennial - marking 100 years since the American Declaration of Independence.
There’s something about a big event, it sets the pulse for something special! And this, darling, was no exception!
Think of the theatrical costumes worn in spectacular grand events - you can practically picture it: bold fabrics, ornate details, dramatic plumes and all the feathers you could imagine!
Oh! I can already imagine the ballet companies over in America – their costumes must have been bursting with colour and elaborate embellishments. Such an inspiring period for a little fashion forward flamingo like myself!
A peek at a ballerina's diary…
I love to imagine the ballet dancers of the time! In my own time, I spend hours sketching ballet costumes, planning my looks - and of course, the details are so vital.
Here’s a little something for you, a snippet of my imagined 1876 dancer’s journal:
“Darling Amelia, you wouldn’t believe the chaos! Our new Swan Lake is absolutely incredible - all those ballerinas in white silk, their hair a riot of pearl embellishments! Oh, the hours of rehearsal – you'd think I’d lost my footing more than once! However, all that hardship makes our performances all the more magical. And, darling, you must hear the story behind Mademoiselle Dubois’ bodice - I hear it’s adorned with silk from China itself, so exquisite!"
1876: The Dawn of Leotard Evolution
As for me, my leotard collection is full of history – a touch of the 18th century here, a glimpse of 19th-century trends there. However, 1876 is truly the point where the seeds of a revolution are sown! The evolution is subtle, it's about letting more of the body show – a little peek, a touch of femininity.
Don’t forget to stay tuned, my dearest lovelies. I’ll be sharing another Leotard History next month, so join me, won't you? In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you think! Let me know what you think about the Victorian Era. Did I miss anything? What leotard time-traveling adventure are you looking forward to reading next?
Sending you lots of love, Emma ✨
P.S. Make sure to follow me on social media @EmmaThePinkTutuTravels to see more pics from my adventures! I can't wait to see you in your own pink tutus! 😉
