#LeotardHistory during 1881 07 July

Hello my gorgeous ballet darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another fabulous adventure in the wonderful world of leotard history. This month, I've found myself transported back to July 7th, 1881, a truly spectacular era for dance and fashion!

Oh, it’s been a whirlwind, literally! Picture this: I’m shimmering in my magical pink sparkling leotard, my time-travelling wardrobe staple, swirling through the Victorian streets of London. A sea of horse-drawn carriages, bustling markets, and elegant ladies in their billowing gowns surround me. The air buzzes with a different kind of energy - the era of the "Bloomer Costume", the precursor to the modern leotard, and the first time a woman dared to step out in trousers! Isn’t it exciting to imagine the stir that created?!

Let’s talk leotard fashion. I’m not even exaggerating when I say the styles back then were truly groundbreaking! Ladies were stepping into the world of comfortable movement, ditching restrictive corsets and embracing new forms of clothing that gave them greater freedom. Now, those "Bloomer Costumes", with their wide bloomers and knee-length tunics, might not be what you picture when you think "ballet leotard" today, but think about it! They were a daring step toward the fitted, flexible, and stylish creations we know and love today.

Imagine this, I’m taking in the atmosphere in the grand theatres of London - it was the golden age of ballet, darling! The era of "Giselle" by Adolphe Adam and “La Sylphide”, both featuring ethereal dancing nymphs, inspired me to perform a graceful waltz in my pink tutu right in the centre of the grand theatre. The stares I received - the sheer delight at seeing a bright pink, shimmering dancer on stage in such a beautiful time period - well, I wouldn’t change it for the world!

While I was whisked back in time, I spotted some remarkable leotard fashion trends! There was a new love for flowing materials like silk and chiffon. These delicate fabrics were fashioned into flowing dresses, or in some cases, transformed into elaborate, artistic, costumes for the popular stage productions of the time. Oh, my love for those layered ruffles and sheer materials! My blog has to get an updated collection, after all!

Imagine seeing a real, live production of "Giselle," with all its tragic romance and ethereal beauty, staged in a Victorian Theatre, with such elegance! The ballet dancers’ leotards, if they existed, would have been more akin to long, flowy gowns made with layers of lace, ribbon and exquisite beading, giving off a romantic and charming feel. It's hard not to be inspired by such exquisite costumes, darling.

There were these enchanting pieces – dance dresses with flowing sleeves and gathered skirts. They were perfect for interpretive dance, with just the right amount of movement and grace! And can we discuss the bonnets? Oh, the bonnets! Delicate and elegant, featuring bows and feathers that matched their elaborate costumes, each bonnet added a beautiful touch to the dancers’ overall aesthetic, reminding me of our darling Victorian ancestors!

I've already ordered several vintage books from the era. Oh, I simply have to have more leotards, darlings! I am determined to give the most vibrant pink twist to those delicate fabrics! Think layers upon layers of chiffon, tulle, and ribbons, each fluttering with my Pink-Tutu flair! This, I'm telling you, is leotard history in the making.

But let's not forget what we're really here for! Let’s explore those stunning leotards. Here is the latest in 1881 Leotard fashion. Brace yourselves, lovelies, because this will blow you away.

• The "Bloomer Costume" as a Turning Point: It was all the rage. This new type of dress, while shocking to many at the time, sparked a conversation about women's liberation and freedom of movement, which was a huge inspiration for the dance world.

• Flowing fabrics in the name of graceful movement: We can thank this Victorian Era for its bold experiment in soft fabrics like silk, satin, and velvet. Imagine this - elegant ballerinas dancing and twirling in beautifully flowing gowns! It was like seeing a moving painting come to life, and my pink tutu needs to be in the center of the performance, no matter the era.

• Delicate Bows and Ribbons: A nod to the love for detail and intricate workmanship, this is an enduring fashion legacy from the Victorian era, so important to remember for my pink-tutu, romantic aesthetic! I can't resist adding beautiful bows to everything!

• The Bonnet’s Charm: The Victorian bonnets adorned by dancers were true masterpieces of elegance! Think delicate floral designs, luxurious feathers, and satin ribbons all crafted together with exquisite detail.

My Pink-Tutu Take on it all: Victorian dance may not have included a tight-fitting leotard, but those elegant gowns gave me ideas that just might send you all swirling into a pink-tutu fashion frenzy! We can incorporate their bold use of delicate fabrics and bows, while making them fit our modern leotard-loving styles. It's about bringing a little bit of Victorian romance into a new world! After all, we’ve been mixing and matching, modernising, and taking inspiration from all Eras since our journey began.

You see, darlings, it’s more than just wearing a pink tutu, it’s about embodying that spirit - the spirit of embracing new things and inspiring everyone to dance with confidence and creativity, a little like how they did during the Victorian Era.

This month, let’s celebrate the Victorian influence with a splash of pink-tutu fun. Get creative with your leotards, find those perfect, romantic, pieces, and get dancing! And remember, every step is a magical time travel experience. I’ll be here every month, sharing new experiences in Leotard Fashion!

Till next time, lovelies!

xx Emma