#LeotardHistory during 1880 12 December

Welcome, lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time traveler and fashion enthusiast, with another delightful post for www.pink-tutu.com! This month, I've taken a magical trip back to 1880, the year I believe should be recognised as the “golden era of undergarments”... and trust me, it's not just the colour pink I'm getting excited about!

This is post number 264, my dear readers, and today's journey is a little different. This isn't just about the history of leotards, it's about exploring how the whole idea of undergarments impacted the very way people danced and dressed.

Let's imagine this: It's a chilly December night in Victorian London, the gas lamps are casting a golden glow on the bustling streets, and I'm making my way to the theatre for a grand performance of "Giselle." I know, I know, you're wondering about my "time traveling pink sparkling leotard." You see, darling, it's all about energy. The more fabulous I am, the more efficiently the cosmic powers fuel my journeys through time! (Besides, wouldn't it be utterly dull in a boring grey jumpsuit? Don't think so!)

But I'm getting carried away, dear reader! We must get back to those amazing leotard fashion details that made 1880 a dazzling era for undergarments. Let's chat Victorian ballet!

Firstly, I must confess, I'm in love with the tutus from this period! They're layers and layers of delicate tulle, beautifully stitched and starched, creating the most magical puff! Of course, their glorious fullness came with a cost. Those layers were definitely a little more "sturdy" than modern ballet costumes, making pirouettes a bit more of a challenge (but no less graceful)!

Now, here’s where our leotard story kicks in!

Under those gorgeous tutus, the Victorian ballet dancers wore “body-stockings.” They weren't the sleek stretchy styles we know today; they were more like corsets for the legs! Tight and form-fitting, these garments often featured delicate floral embellishments, lace trims, and a variety of fabrics like satin, silk, and cotton, for ultimate elegance! They created an unbelievably sleek silhouette, highlighting the dancers' amazing athleticism, making their every movement seem effortless!

These leotard ancestors also added a subtle but very noticeable element: the peek-a-boo effect. The corsets often had daring necklines, exposing the beautiful ballet dancers' shoulders and adding a dash of intrigue. The peek-a-boo style was incredibly modern, almost like they were already anticipating the more daring silhouettes to come in the twentieth century. Talk about timeless fashion!

Here's a little insider knowledge! You know I'm all about those leotards, darlings, but the fashion trends of 1880 go far beyond the stage! There was a quiet revolution brewing, just waiting for the 20th century to explode into something absolutely spectacular. Imagine a time when ladies were expected to be constricted and confined by layers of clothing – all to hide the human form! Well, in this era, even the “proper ladies” started to push the boundaries! There was a sense of playfulness and individuality that trickled down even to their undergarments.

Think about the sheer weight of Victorian dresses and all the layering underneath! Corsets and petticoats were absolutely essential, and even then, they were meant to hold those opulent fabrics away from the body for movement and to make sure that everything stayed in place (we've all had that wardrobe malfunction moment, haven't we?).

So what happened to revolutionise this way of dressing? Enter… the "cambisole”! This is my new fashion idol!

You might think a "cambisole" sounds rather ordinary, but oh no, darling, not in this context! Picture a delicate slip, made from silky fabrics like silk and cotton, which might even feature elegant embroidery. It was this revolutionary invention that finally allowed the ladies of the era to move with greater freedom, a freedom I imagine was so wonderfully liberating, much like what my pink tutu does for me! Think of it like the ultimate layer of comfort under a sea of petticoats, but with a certain Victorian elegance.

I've been doing a lot of research, of course, dear readers, and I have a secret… I'm currently putting together a line of undergarments that takes its inspiration from this very fascinating era. Let's face it, the current style of "invisible" undergarments misses out on the beauty and fun of expressing yourself through what you wear underneath. So, I'm planning to give Victorian women's inner beauty the modern treatment. I can't reveal all the details yet, but it will involve the most glamorous leotard inspired slips with embellishments, lace, silk, and... drumroll… a touch of pink, naturally! And just imagine the freedom you will have with a beautiful layered tulle tutu to compliment it!

Back in modern London now, after a whirlwind of a Victorian trip. But my quest for fabulousness continues!

So, you won’t be surprised to hear that I have been shopping, naturally! Today, I'm making my way to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. After all, we need to catch up on the contemporary trends for ballet leotards, right? This week's program? Well, guess who has chosen a very glamorous "Giselle" for their main performance! I don't need to tell you about my excitement to watch some extraordinary ballet costumes! Perhaps I'll be seeing a pink-tutu inspired costume design… it would be too perfect to even be a dream!

Speaking of which, this month's "Pink-Tutu" project is actually all about reimagining those delicate 1880s ballerina costumes for today! I have my eyes set on an online dance wear shop (yes, I know my followers would love to know… but I'm waiting to reveal all until I see what they offer!)

This afternoon, we will be back in Covent Garden for another amazing dance performance… but this time a bit different from the elegance of ballet. Today's experience will be an impromptu, street ballet show, my favourite place for fun fashion experiments, a fantastic mix of street style and leotard couture! I will be channeling those Victorian dancers with an added touch of 20th-century flare, a modern, pink tutu statement!

As the city’s vibrant energy pours into my pink sparkling leotard, it will be a delight to see how people react to this unexpected encounter! You've just got to trust me, my dears. It's going to be spectacularly delightful, and of course, I'll be sharing every detail of my Covent Garden adventures, fashion picks, and the “pink tutu" inspirations that make my heart soar right here in my next blog post!

Until then, go out there, embrace life in all its delightful twists and turns, and keep twirling!

See you soon, my beautiful pink tutu tribe!

Yours truly,

Emma.