Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It’s Emma here, back from another mind-blowing time travel adventure! Today I’m writing to you from my most recent stop: September 1883. I have to tell you, it was absolutely sensational! Think bustling Victorian streets, horse-drawn carriages, and gaslight illuminating elegant ballrooms… but most importantly, a whole world of captivating dance fashion! This month’s time-travel leotard was a shimmery pink number, complete with sparkling sequins, just the perfect garment to get me blending in (and sparkling, naturally!)
This time around, I decided to hop back in time and see what was going on in the world of leotards right around the time of my own beloved Derbyshire. It was the Victorian era, you see, and while I haven’t been able to pinpoint a specific performance date, September 1883 is a great place to start to get a feel for leotard fashion and the world of dance at this point in history.
Remember that post back in March 1854? I was telling you how the early days of leotards in ballet were being influenced by what - that’s right - the fashion of everyday wear. By the 1880s, dance was getting really grand and even dramatic in style, as it moved from smaller studio spaces onto the bigger stages, and this meant some changes for the leotards worn by the dancers.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the amazing things I saw on my time travels:
The Elegance of The Tights: They weren't exactly leotards like we think of them now, but they were almost! Ballet tights had come into fashion! Now this wasn’t anything like our comfy cotton tights! Back in the 1880s, we’re talking luxurious silk stockings. These beauties were often intricately embroidered and crafted in dazzling colors, reflecting a growing passion for the arts and a move towards luxury in all aspects of dance fashion.
Tulle Dreams: The ballet stage was adorned in flowing tutus, much like I have today! Tulle had become the fabric of choice for dance wear, and imagine them draped in swathes of delicate, romantic white tulle! There were still some long panniers, you know those petticoats which gave a skirt a full look. They'd be adorned with lots of embellishments to give them that extra touch of Victorian style. The combination of delicate tulle and opulent ornamentation spoke to the beauty and delicacy of the dances being performed.
An Ode To Simplicity: Of course, dance was always about movement. And just like today, some leotard styles favoured more minimal lines for maximum effect! I spotted simple one-piece garments (now much more similar to leotards) made in satin or silk - you can’t get more classic than that! They often had some elegant little detail like a gathered neckline, short sleeves, or a trimmed hem.
The Ballerina’s Essential: Even way back then, dancers always need to warm up, and one thing I saw a lot of was the practice tunic, which had sleeves! You might still find these worn at the barre, but I can’t imagine my ballet days without the trusty leotard being my warmup wear, can you? I am actually making a little collection of my leotards to put on display one day. It will have all kinds - my pink sparkly time travel one is certainly a prize possession, my darling!
And The Shoes?!: Okay, time for a special mention because I just love shoes. I was stunned at how delicate and precise the point shoes looked then. Made mostly with natural materials like satin, canvas, and leather, they would often feature a wide box that was designed to provide support but allow for maximum movement of the toes for beautiful extension. I wish I could try these shoes on, sigh. They certainly had a bit more height in the heel though… They still used glue back then, but what’s different now is how dancers glue just the outside edges. Can you imagine that beautiful, carefully shaped design! So impressive!
Beyond The Studio: Speaking of the dance shoes I spotted, it was really important for ballerinas to have them on show. Now, you might think it was all just practice spaces and the stage... but oh dear that couldn’t be further from the truth, my loves!
Even then, ballet was as much a social activity as a professional pursuit, so these dances and their clothes were an absolute blast in so many social contexts ! These little snippets of my trip prove it!
I bumped into a very excited young woman dressed up in a full costume – she was actually wearing a simple (very simple!) but stunning white silk bodice, complete with matching trousers – the equivalent of a leotard! It looked elegant, easy to move in, and most importantly it seemed comfortable. The bodice had pretty ribbon straps to add a hint of romanticism, which was perfect. She explained to me, that she was about to join a performance, which was absolutely delightful, but that she was very nervous because, you know, these are the 1880s. Women still have many constraints placed on their lives, it's not a surprise that so much joy and rebellion came from wearing leotards on that kind of occasion. The costume was her expression and how she felt confident in performing. That just touched my heart.
Ballet for the Masses: I didn't just meet a solo ballerina. No. It seems that in some places, these ballerinas had formed their own little troupes! I met a woman leading a dance group that included several younger students who had been teaching themselves dance. And wouldn't you know it? Their uniforms were made just for the student group. It’s one of the earliest signs that dancers in training had specific leotards, even if it wasn’t something so widely seen across the whole industry quite yet!
And the thing that truly blew my mind is that these students, they didn’t have a fancy theater or even any stage for performing in, which I love, you see! They took their performances to the streets! Think about this: ballet isn’t just behind a velvet rope or behind the scenes for certain special groups. It was being shared with everyone on the streets of their little village, how cool! Just like me, my dear, my street ballet performances! Now that is what I call an uplifting experience, my darlings!
Embracing Our Fashion Roots: This month’s journey has shown me the captivating connection between ballet fashion, creativity, and everyday life throughout the decades! Leotards, just like everything else in life, change over time, with dance trends becoming part of every person’s life.
And my journey isn’t just about the leotard itself, it’s how we see it. These precious stories help us see beauty all around us. Whether it is on a busy street in Derbyshire or on the elegant stage of a theatre in the grandest of city halls.
Don't forget, this post was only the beginning. For the very latest in fashion, history, shows, and my own personal time travel chronicles come join me at www.pink-tutu.com.
And my little lovelies, remember to stay curious, wear those pink tutus with confidence, and embrace every little bit of fashion history with joy! Until next month’s time travel blog, darlings!
Love,
Emma
P.S.: Don't forget, the world of dance is all around you. Go to a show, watch a movie, take a dance class. We all have our own stories to tell! This is post #297 in the Pink Tutu Travelogue.
