Hey there, tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your one-stop shop for all things leotard and sparkly! Today, we're taking a trip back in time to the 7th of July, 1878. Get your vintage fashion hats ready, we're diving into the world of leotards way back when!
As you know, I, your very own pink-clad, tutu-twirling travel guide, have the most fabulous pink sparkly time-travelling leotard – imagine it as the culmination of every amazing, sparkly piece of dancewear you've ever seen, with just a dash of magical stardust thrown in for good measure!
Today's time jump takes us all the way back to 1878 – imagine, no smartphones, no YouTube dance tutorials, just the glorious, pure art of movement! Now, before we go on about all the lovely historical stuff, let’s talk tutus – this month’s theme for the website! Oh darling, imagine how amazing this date must have been to visit, you might have seen the famous, groundbreaking La Sylphide! Now THAT’S a dance in a leotard!
Speaking of La Sylphide, it's worth a quick chat about Jules Perrot's influence on leotard history! Perrot was a legendary choreographer and dancer, and, as any good tutu enthusiast will know, a true visionary of his time, a visionary who brought in that groundbreaking leotard style that continues to captivate today. Think flexible, flowing lines that showcase every delicate movement with an ethereal elegance that we just adore.
But let's head back to 1878 and check out the fascinating world of leotard fashion back then. I can picture it in my mind: the bustle of theatre productions, the buzz of bustling ballet studios – the sheer anticipation! I just love the period – it’s so dreamy with its classic silhouette. They were doing some incredibly lovely stuff with leotards back in the 1870s.
Can you picture it, lovely readers? My glittery pink time-travelling leotard landing in the middle of the 1878 scene? It must have been a shock to the system! Just imagine a whirl of bright, vibrant pink through a black and white world, leaving a little bit of sparkle wherever it touched! I like to think that even in the past, the joy of a sparkly, playful leotard could create a touch of magic!
This year, my mission was to make this little world just a bit pinker! * So, after landing, I strutted out of the portal wearing my pink tutu in all its dazzling glory and started street performances! My dancing attracted a big crowd, who loved seeing the beautiful movement – you've gotta love street performances – they are the ultimate way to connect with the heart of a place! It was a big hit, even some *lovely journalists took pictures, and as a new age ballet starlet, I couldn't help but take it as a sign – we are in for a very sparkly leotard-loving future.
It's funny though, because if you look back to 1878, leotards had been around for quite some time – the invention of that wonderful stretchiness in fabric meant leotards became an essential in ballet. They'd actually started to be worn a whole 40 years before I landed in my time travelling leotard – a little known but a rather fascinating fashion fact!
I popped into one of the most fashionable boutiques that London has to offer! Now darling, you know my passion for a little bit of luxurious retail therapy, and, even in 1878, there was certainly a strong emphasis on looking good and creating a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to those perfect ballet shoes.
Leotards back then were less of a standalone fashion statement, and more a piece that complemented other garments like the long and flowing tutus we know and love today. It is also incredibly important to consider the era's ethos, and its embrace of beauty and romanticism. I simply adored the romantic, poetic nature of the fashions I saw on this little time travel journey!
Of course, fashion has moved on, my darlings! What were the hottest styles and the it looks that were making a splash on 7th July, 1878? The fabrics used back then were a dream! Silks and velvets, so rich and full of history, with those fabulous, delicate, intricate lace embellishments. It made me swoon! Oh how I wished I could just grab those vintage tutus and slip them right onto my sparkly leotard!
It's important to look at leotard evolution, and how amazing those original inspirations were! Think flowing silhouettes and lots of frills! There’s just a real femininity in those fashions that makes my heart beat fast! Now I just want a pair of those tiny satin slippers to complete my vintage ballerina look.
Of course, you’ll see me in that fab pink leotard in next month’s blog too. And, speaking of next month's blog – a massive thank you to my fellow tutu-lovers for following my blog posts! It's such a delight to share the history of dancewear with all of you.
In the meantime, go on – show off that fabulous tutu wherever you are! Spread the sparkle, my lovely readers, and until next time, keep dancing with your heart, just like I’m doing all the way from Derbyshire.
Yours in sparkly leotards,
Emma 💖
www.pink-tutu.com
Ps. Don't forget to check back next month for another exciting trip through the amazing history of leotard fashion. It's going to be incredible, I promise! And who knows, I might even be bringing you some brand new styles that we can all wear together in our everyday lives. Let’s make those tutus an everyday fashion must have! ✨
