Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! I'm your favourite Derbyshire-born ballerina blogger, Emma, and today's post is extra special! Grab your fanciest pink tutu, brew a pot of your favourite tea, and settle in, because we're diving into a spectacular journey to… 1880!
This month's time travel escapade, fuelled by my magical pink sparkly leotard, takes us back to November 11th, 1880. Can you believe it? This date was actually bursting with excitement for the world of leotard fashion! Now, imagine being there in your perfectly fitted pink tutu, surrounded by such fashionable energy… Just the thought of it makes my heart do a little pirouette!
Before I tell you all about it, a quick reminder about me, and why I'm obsessed with the past and the wonderful, transformative power of pink tutus: I'm Emma, your very own "Leotard Historian"! My heart belongs to everything ballet and leotard-related, but it’s not just about the twirling and the tutus; it’s about history and fashion! It's about the stories woven into each stitch, each silhouette, each dazzling embellishment! I love to travel through time in my sparkly leotard, uncovering these amazing tales, and sharing them with all of you. It's all funded, you ask? Well, just between us girls, my street ballet performances seem to make the time travel magic tick! Isn't it amazing what a bit of sparkly pink and some impressive grand jetés can do?
Alright, enough about me, let’s dive into our fashionable foray into 1880! This date was quite the event for ballet enthusiasts like me. Let's take a look at what had the world of leotards in a flutter:
*On this day, 11th November, 1880, the Royal Ballet was having a show! * Imagine, the very same iconic Royal Ballet that captivates audiences today! Now, just think of the exquisite leotards that must have graced the stage! I'm already imagining swirling layers of tulle and satin, each shimmering under the elegant glow of the stage lights. It makes my mind, and my imagination, twirl with excitement!
But you see, back in 1880, ballet costumes were a world apart from the leotards we see today! Think flowing, billowing tutus with lots of ruffles, delicate lace, and layers upon layers of frills, everything was so much more… theatrical. In a word, dramatic! They would’ve used corsets to enhance their figures, making the female dancers appear almost ethereal. Imagine those silhouettes under the stage lights – I'm positively entranced by the thought of it!
But let's talk about colours, shall we? Imagine stepping onto the streets of London, on that very date in history. It wouldn't be a sea of pink tutus quite yet – although a pink leotard would certainly have caused a stir, don’t you think? The styles of 1880 favoured more muted hues, perhaps a gentle shade of lavender or soft blush, paired with graceful and elegant lines. Imagine how such leotards must have looked! Like a painting brought to life, capturing that era's spirit. It truly captures a different era, a time when elegance reigned supreme.
While I love seeing what fashionable looks I can find, it’s not all about me! I also love to see what plays were on during these historical adventures. In 1880, London's theatrical world was bustling with life. They had a huge variety of shows – plays, operas, and more! Now, this doesn't necessarily mean we're going to find tutus here – at least, not the pink ones I wear. But, the inspiration from such diverse fashion and performances would inevitably influence leotard style and development, just you wait, dear readers!
I am certain those elegant, refined leotards would have sparked such a fashion revolution! You can practically feel it! Perhaps that's where the pink tutu journey began. After all, why wouldn’t it be pink? Don’t forget, the world is in dire need of a touch of pink magic.
Now, let's talk about another aspect of this historical time travel trip - what did the people in 1880 wear? Imagine if you could walk through a street on that November 11th! You'd be surrounded by fashionable men in tailored coats, trousers, top hats, and lovely long, luxurious mustaches. The ladies, oh the ladies, would have been adorned in floor-length dresses with billowing sleeves, perfectly poised in stylish boots. The details would be impeccable – buttons, lace, and embellishments with so much attention to fashion.
However, there was one particular leotard that took my breath away. It was crafted by an ingenious tailor named Thomas. This garment had these fascinating sleeves that I was just drawn to. It wasn’t your traditional ballet leotard - this was designed with a loose, almost flowing cut! He introduced new patterns and styles, giving a hint of something a little more modern.
Now imagine my delight, when I realised Thomas's work was showcased in an exclusive event in London! There were models gracefully twirling in his innovative leotards, displaying their fluidity, while they effortlessly moved, showcasing his remarkable tailoring skills! You just can’t imagine the inspiration I received that day!
As the show came to a close, a quiet hush fell over the crowd. They seemed to be in complete awe of the artistry, and as the lights faded, you could hear whispers of appreciation in the audience. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too long before this innovation swept across the world! But the magic doesn't stop there. It's just one of those days in history, full of the whimsy and creativity that I treasure so much, that fuels my passion for leotard history and fashion.
Oh, my dears, the best part of my adventure on this date was discovering something that absolutely stole my heart! I was wandering through a bustling marketplace when I stumbled upon a small, hidden store - a haven of fashion tucked away from the main thoroughfare. Imagine my excitement when I found a magnificent tutu. This was no ordinary tutu - the delicate layering of pink tulle created such an ethereal grace. It just begged to be twirled, my heart almost burst with happiness, as I slipped into that masterpiece. What a find! It looked so breathtakingly romantic, exactly the style I long to bring back to the modern world.
I'm determined to get everyone wearing a pink tutu! And who knows, maybe a peek into the past will bring us closer to that wonderful dream!
So that's it, dearest readers, my amazing adventure on November 11th, 1880! I'll be back next month, ready to share my latest adventures with you all!
Until then, stay pink, and keep on twirling!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. I hope you enjoyed my trip back in time with me! Make sure you keep checking back, I have a lot of other exciting adventures planned. It wouldn't be me without the pink! I also love seeing your pink tutu stories, share them in the comments below. You can follow me on Instagram @PinkTutuTime_Travel, where I'll share extra adventures. Oh, and don’t forget my latest YouTube videos on the History of Leotard Styles! Get out there and twirl in your pink tutu!
