Hello, my lovely tutu-loving readers! Emma here, back from another exhilarating jaunt through the swirling mists of time! As always, my sparkly pink leotard served me well, whizzing me back to the delightful year of 1882 - September the 9th, to be precise!
It’s a bit nippy back in those days, even for this seasoned time traveller, so a good thick shawl was in order! As usual, I landed with a thump (one less than last time, my new sparkly leotard definitely helps with the landing - thank you, dear magical sparkly leotard!) right smack bang in the heart of London’s Covent Garden.
1882 Leotard Fashion: Where Simplicity Reigns Supreme
My first port of call, naturally, was to check out the de rigueur leotard fashions of the time! I popped into the first costume shop I could find, all plush velvet and gilded trimmings - quite the change from the online shopping I’m accustomed to back home! They had a good selection of what they called "dancing costumes", but to be honest, they were fairly simple compared to our modern marvels!
I saw the classic form-fitting "tights" with a short, slightly gathered skirt - the ultimate in comfort, practicality, and elegance. A true sign of the times - nothing distracting, nothing frivolous, just clean lines designed for movement. But they had charm! I could tell a lot of meticulous work went into them with fine lace details and carefully positioned, hand-sewn embellishments. I immediately snagged a couple for myself - a delightful cherry red number and a beautiful deep emerald green. (The colours look quite muted now, the natural dyes haven't weathered the time quite like they did back then!)
The fabrics were another delightful discovery - supple silk, silky satin, and, naturally, the good ol' fashioned "balbriggan" - which was essentially an early form of stretch knit, a great invention that allows for greater range of movement! I imagine those leotards felt absolutely sublime on the skin - definitely adding them to my modern day repertoire!
The Magic of a Live Performance!
Next up, a live show, darling! A quick hop across to the Drury Lane Theatre and what do I stumble upon but a glorious production of The Mikado, with music by Arthur Sullivan and lyrics by W. S. Gilbert! This witty, satirical masterpiece brought back a whole new level of charm to the 19th century!
While the acting was delightfully over the top and the music truly transported me, it was the dance scene I went absolutely ga-ga over! The chorus line, clad in their beautiful blue satin leotards, swished and swirled across the stage, the light catching their carefully pleated skirts, and the music, oh the music! They simply oozed grace and rhythm.
A Stroll Down Memory Lane... in Victorian Era Style!
Of course, I couldn't miss the opportunity to indulge in a spot of vintage shopping! What a beautiful sight it was, darling! Gorgeous vintage hats, beautifully embroidered gloves, and of course, plenty of pretty petticoats and undergarments, to wear beneath those stunning satin leotards!
I even popped into the shop of a fascinating character, one Mr. Albert, who'd developed a wonderfully unique invention called the "corset", for more "support". Now, darling, don't even get me started on corsets! Yes, the support is good, and they do provide a wonderful hour-glass shape! But if you haven't worn one for a long period of time - don't try it! I went to town for that show and, oh boy, I definitely paid the price!
I don't know if it was the extra pressure, or maybe it was all that laughter after watching the Mikado's hilarious comedy, but my corsetting went terribly wrong, to the point I had to take it off before I hurt myself! I actually managed to get myself quite entangled in the fabric... Thankfully, a charming gentleman nearby - with impeccable manners and a delightful grin, came to the rescue, with an expert undoing of the corsetry. Let’s just say, I will be avoiding corsets, until my next time travel adventure, or perhaps when I feel brave enough to try a new fashion experience.
And What's in the Leotard Fashion Scene This Month?
Now, back to the exciting world of leotard fashion. September 1882! What an era of leotard beauty! With the rise of theatre productions, dance performances became all the rage. We even saw the first truly form-fitting "stretch tights", giving the dancers even more freedom and flexibility - not just the comfort! It was truly a groundbreaking year, darling.
However, it's all about getting that classic, graceful silhouette with soft, elegant fabric flowing in every graceful step. Simplicity was truly the key!
The Inspiration Strikes
I was also struck with a rather wonderful inspiration! A mix of modern and vintage! Imagine the ultimate 2023-meets-1882 leotard: a soft silk "balbriggan" bodice, complete with a long flowing chiffon skirt - the classic 1882 vibe but with a swoosh of modern flair! And maybe even a pair of extra sparkly shoes with pink accents! Just the thing for my next performance!
Now I have a million new ideas to weave into my next tutu performance! Who knows what treasures I’ll discover in the mists of time on my next adventure! Until next month, darlings, keep dancing! Don't forget to check out my other blog posts on pink-tutu.com and keep up with the amazing world of dance!
Love, Emma.
PS: Follow me on my street performance escapades. My latest dance spot will be in Nottingham's lovely market square at 2 pm next Thursday! Catch me with my trusty sparkly pink leotard - a stunning performance that you simply cannot miss! (I’ll have extra pink tutus for sale, if you fancy some post-performance fashion fun!)
