Hello darlings, It's Emma here from Derbyshire, your favourite pink tutu wearing ballerina, back with another exciting episode of my time-travelling leotard adventures. This month, we're waltzing our way back to August 8th, 1878. Can you believe it's been nearly 150 years since this date?! I love delving into the past and seeing what stylish leotard creations were rocking the world.
But first, a quick update on my own fashion world! I recently had the most divine experience – a street performance in Covent Garden! The atmosphere was electrifying, the crowd was enraptured by my tutu twirls and leaps, and the tips, well let's just say, I'm going to have enough for a few more time jumps! You know how much I love funding my adventures with a good old fashioned "Emma's Twirling Troupe" performance! It's the best feeling to be out there, sharing my love for the arts and bringing a little pink sparkle to London streets.
Speaking of sparkles, let's jump into our time machine. Imagine, a shimmering pink leotard that transforms me with each blink of an eye. Poof! Here we are – Paris! It's simply darling!
A Stroll Through 19th Century Fashion:Paris, 1878! My oh my, it's like stepping out of a vintage Parisian novel! Think cobblestone streets lined with quaint cafes, gentlemen sporting elaborate top hats, ladies with grand flowing dresses. The air itself feels infused with a delicious mixture of theatre, history and… a delightful whiff of bergamot and lavender.
Today we're specifically in Paris to get a taste of what leotards and performance clothing was like during this exciting era. At this time, it was right at the beginning of the Ballet Russe – a vibrant movement that redefined dance and costume in ways never seen before. Imagine costumes shimmering with gold and jewels! So exciting!
Now, imagine this: I'm stepping into the Palais Garnier opera house. A monumental building with such grand elegance, fit for a princess – a total contrast to the theatre-inspired Victorian fashion we are more familiar with in the UK at this time! The first performance of Bizet's "Carmen" had taken place a year prior to my arrival in 1878, so it would be incredible to witness its influence. I bet there was something particularly dramatic and evocative about the fashion then, especially since Spain was going through some revolutionary shifts. It must have felt excitingly new!
But before we get carried away with imagined Parisian performances, it’s important to remember that the ballet world is a whole different ball game from the 19th century onwards, so we can’t go expecting to see a leotard like you’d find in the 21st century.
During this period, a ballet dancer's wardrobe would have been a world away from the contemporary tights and seamless styles you'll see at my London shows. Instead, imagine layered tunics, decorative leggings and lots of flowy skirts – often made of sheer fabrics such as gauze, which allows for intricate, flowing movement!
However, a big clue for what dancers were wearing is in the artwork of this era! It shows ladies in beautiful and simple tunics which are similar to the "Russian" look of the Ballets Russes. This is where my excitement about the development of dance costumes is really amplified. The leotard is about to embark on an amazing fashion adventure, which is a lot to do with the Ballets Russes and its focus on colour, motion and fluidity.
Leotard Fashion, More than Just Performance Wear!While it’s not exactly what I'm used to wearing in my modern, stretchy-jersey leotard with a matching tutu, let's take a peek into how these 1878 looks impacted everyday fashion.
Think of what women in the mid-1870s wore under their outfits for a glimpse into the leotard scene at the time. Yes, this was long before tights or leggings. A 'leotard', would have referred to the bodysuit, but most likely called a combination - it was made of cotton, usually in white, and a key item of underwear for those wanting to look smooth and sophisticated! You might even be wearing a garment that can be traced back to this time in the form of a "corset cover". It was so well known in this time period and an essential part of a lady's underwear collection!
As I mentioned earlier, in this era everything revolved around creating beautiful flowing movement! It was a far cry from the slim silhouettes that become associated with ballet as we know it today. I wonder how they were able to be so graceful while dancing, in clothing that doesn't always look so easily managed!
You’ve got to imagine all the layers women wore. There would have been several under-garments that had to be layered up so it all appeared "smooth and elegant."
There's an art to this era! If you love history, fashion, or performance art, I can't encourage you enough to explore more! Look for museums with pieces that highlight ballet fashion - you’ll see, these costumes really set the stage for the dance world that we see in today’s ballet scene!
### Let's Bring 1878 Into The 21st Century:
Of course, I love to experiment and think outside the tutu box! Just imagine:
Twirling with a "Carmen" twist: I've been experimenting with adding more movement and flow into my own costumes! I've picked up a few metres of chiffon from the local haberdashery and added flowing pieces to the hems of my pink tutus, like elegant clouds! I must say, it creates the most breathtaking twirls - especially during my rooftop performances!
Undergarments that spark joy! Since underwear was such a big deal at the time, let's not forget that in our day it is still a significant part of many people's lives. It’s one of my favourite parts of putting together a look for my ballet classes! I just love the delicate and romantic feel of lace, satin, and embroidery – and they definitely fit into the beautiful Parisian theme that we're soaking up today.
-Embrace your own personal style! If you feel inspired by 19th century style and want to incorporate that into your look, let me inspire you. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it.
I would be delighted to hear about your style ideas, dear readers! Drop a comment below, share your favourite leotards, and what style is on your radar! Remember, it's all about embracing individuality and having fun with fashion.
Till next month, keep your tutus twirling and let's make the world a little pinker. I can't wait for my next time travel journey!
Ciao Bella, Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
