Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to another installment of Pink Tutu Travels! Today marks post number 260, and I am absolutely bubbling over with excitement because, as you know, I am absolutely devoted to the magic of leotards, and we're diving back in time, to August 8th, 1880, with a destination that's full of Victorian charm and surprising fashion delights. I mean, you simply must see the outfits of this era! It's going to be a whirlwind tour of the most fabulous leotard moments in history! 😉
First, as usual, a big thank you to you all for being such amazing subscribers to Pink-Tutu.com. I adore seeing all your comments and I promise I reply to every single one, even when there are thousands of messages flooding in (seriously, sometimes it’s an avalanche!). But all the love you lovely people show me, and all the joy of your incredible, supportive comments makes every second of work worthwhile, truly! 💕
This month I decided to go with a fabulously flamboyant pink sparkly leotard, as you all know pink is my signature colour. Now I must tell you, this one’s a little extra – it’s practically glowing in the moonlight! A beautiful deep-pink tulle, which adds a delicate yet opulent sheen, is topped with thousands of tiny iridescent sequins, the type that catch the light with every move. It practically hums with an otherworldly glow and adds an ethereal air to this time-travel adventure. Trust me, even if I don't bring any special costumes, I always have a plan for the most dazzling leotard! You guys wouldn’t believe the power of sequins… 💖
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, 1880, just imagine the excitement! To be in London in this time, surrounded by the elegance of Victorian dress – but let’s be honest, there’s nothing too revolutionary about women’s clothing from this era! I think it’s time for some new fashions and bold colours! That’s why this trip to 1880 is so important, as I hope to get those Victorian ladies thinking pink! ✨
Imagine! You're walking through the heart of London, and you stumble across an incredibly posh shop, possibly near Bond Street, filled with exquisite costumes, leotards, and beautiful, flowing dresses, made in an endless array of colours! They were using rich, deep shades of violet and crimson, which were so much more daring than the paler tones that followed the Edwardian era.
But what was the leotard like in those days? It's a lot different than our modern understanding of the term. I can't help but giggle because back then, they just weren't as flattering as they are now! 😉 Imagine layers and layers of long, sheer, and sometimes somewhat flimsy material! That sounds really, really impractical if you ask me. In those days, if you wore a leotard you might have been a circus performer! 😂 But, a fascinating little bit of trivia: you probably couldn't have found a full leotard in this era. That’s right, ladies, they were still covering the knees back then. (I bet a lot of my subscribers couldn’t even imagine that).
There was a beautiful kind of romanticism that permeated Victorian fashion - I’m always tempted to try a crinoline - just to imagine being that woman in her long white gown! Of course, you’d have to choose very carefully when time travelling as they can be rather awkward!
So what are people wearing? The leotards were designed for those theatrical performances, so those ladies were practically dressed in ballet fashion – at least at the time! Now they weren’t quite the same as the tutu that I wear. If anything, the Victorian leotard was more like a "corset-style leotard.”
And where am I in 1880? I’m taking it all in and of course, I just had to show off my leotard – because where else would I do it but on stage! 🎤 So naturally I landed at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London.
The leotards they wear on the stage are beautiful! They wear an elaborate, yet strangely understated, black fabric leotard (quite a departure for me!) which is all flowy and it really embodies the idea of what we now think of as Victorian drama and tragedy. So much of the stage attire is inspired by theatre traditions that are really much older! Even today, there are still performers who rely on costumes, colours, and textures to portray certain styles of performing arts, whether they are at the Bolshoi Ballet or right here at the Royal Opera House in London! That’s what’s fascinating about this whole journey – I can really connect to so many eras because my ballet inspirations, what they wear on stage, it’s all linked to history! The most fascinating aspect is how all those costumes connect us, across centuries!
Of course I had to visit the theatre and witness some fabulous theatrical fashion. Back in August of 1880 it was the Italian Opera House, London, which really was THE destination if you wanted to experience some exciting opera performances. That was their claim to fame: they held the highest performing opera productions for London at that time! To go see an opera was the ticket!
Now, while it’s hard to really know exactly what the leotard looks like, because I didn't really see any fashion designers selling leotards specifically in 1880 (and this may have been a sign of my time) we can still be inspired by it!
After all, fashion in every era offers an incredible wealth of design inspiration for today's tutus and leotards! That’s why my little time travel trips to eras like 1880 are so inspiring to me - the more time periods you go through and the more you see from across the centuries - it all inspires ideas for my Pink-Tutu.com online fashion store! Now don’t think that I spent the whole time just looking at leotards in 1880 ! I also spent hours enjoying myself:
1) Shopping – London was the most amazing shopping mecca, a little like a less chaotic Harrods (well, until the tweetie-birds and fowls started singing)!
2) Performing – That’s right, ladies and gents – every day has been an opportunity for a show! I performed in some public parks, just a bit of ballet on the spot, for those Victorian citizens who would stop and watch and clap. (And that’s when it dawned on me! If I was here in 1880, they couldn’t have known what ballet was so that was actually pretty brave! I really wonder if that’s how people felt seeing ballet in the 19th century – kind of frightening but fascinating! *
3) Catching up on the arts – Of course, this was the big attraction to London. The museums and galleries, and I’d be lying if I said they were less exciting than now! And let me tell you - the opera performances were extraordinary.
4) Dinner and dance!– Of course I tried the traditional food (and let me tell you: roast beef, mutton, chicken and pork were pretty much it for meals, and you were lucky if you got a baked potato alongside! I wonder what those Victorian ladies would have thought of an aubergine?) So anyway, for this time travel experience I am still enjoying the modern foods from the shops. It just takes a little bit of magic to transport some food from my own timeline. It wouldn't do to try something like a potato that is possibly poisoned! As for dancing, let's just say the "waltz" has never been more exciting.
So there you have it, darlings, that's what I got up to on August 8th 1880. I hope you enjoyed this little snapshot of the Victorian world – there is so much inspiration to be drawn from any era you visit. I can’t wait for you to share your fashion thoughts - send in your comments. What leotards and ballet shoes did you imagine for these historical performances? What was the biggest change you’d love to make to fashion history in a way that would have you in your pink tutu right now?!
Remember: if you have a time travelling leotard, do it! Get out there, explore the world – even 1880 - it’s time to share your inner beauty, and your love for dancing and the stage! Don’t be afraid to think big, my little darlings, and to let the inspiration flow! You just might be a little star in the making like me, who knows what wonderful adventures you'll encounter along the way?
See you next month, my dearest Pink Tutu loves. For now, have a good look at this week’s fashion. As always, enjoy a show, enjoy shopping and above all – enjoy the magic of leotards. We all know how fabulous you all look in them!
Don't forget to follow me @Emma's_PinkTutu!
You know what to do. Stay fashion forward and get your PinkTutu on!
All the best,
Emma, the Pink Tutu traveler! ✨ 💖
www.pink-tutu.com
