Hello fellow Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another magical time travel adventure with me, Emma, your ever-so-pink leotard loving blogger. Today's trip whisks us right back to the 19th century, where our sparkly leotards and tutus really came into their own! We're on a journey back to May 5th, 1885. Are you ready for a whirl through time, dears?
This is blog post number 317 for pink-tutu.com and as you all know, every month I use my magical time traveling leotard (it's sparkly pink, naturally!) to whisk myself back to some dazzling decade and see what leotard fashions are inspiring people across the globe. My aim in life, as you know, is to get the whole world wearing a pink tutu. You see, it’s simply the most flattering, playful, and elegant garment on this planet, don't you think?
So, this time I found myself stepping out of my magical time portal and landing right in Victorian England, which is actually where I’m from! Derbyshire to be exact. Well, that's where I come from - but I'm travelling around the world quite a bit, thank goodness for this time travelling leotard! But back to this May 5th 1885…
Now, picture this - everything is in shades of blush, with a sprinkle of lilac here and there. Delicate lace, silky satin, and ribbons are all the rage. But that’s in fashion at large – I wanted to see the leotard scene. After all, who wouldn't want a time travelling leotard of their very own? My little gem of a sparkly time traveling leotard was certainly causing a stir in my neighbourhood – and the townspeople just had no idea! I couldn’t resist a cheeky little pirouette in my time travelling leotard here and there just to see how people reacted, they just gasped at its magical glimmering pink brilliance. It’s quite fun being an interdimensional traveler in this era, with all the fuss the public create. The Victorians really do love a bit of excitement, but I do try to blend in. Not easy in this super glitzy pink leotard I must admit!
However, if I could take you back to this era, the actual leotard world - and by "world" I'm talking about gymnasium training – you'd be amazed. Remember that leotard fashion always comes in cycles. So while the '90s leotards you can find online today (they’re my absolute favourite) are a bit looser in their form, the ones of this time - 1885-ish – are really snug fitting! This was the time when women were really getting into the whole gymnastics craze. In England and beyond! Women’s athletics is becoming increasingly popular and leotards are playing a part! That's right. These little body-skimming one-piece wonders were the uniform for serious gym work! This is a key milestone in the development of leotards, my dears.
Think, of bright, stretchy cotton. Imagine a simple and elegant design, a classic V-neck. Perhaps some modest ruffles on the shoulders, like a Victorian shrug in miniature, but all as one, you see? It was all about ease of movement - perfect for cartwheels, handstands, and everything else in between, even leaping. It must have been so exciting to feel your muscles move in that way, in that era - and in such a sleek, figure-hugging leotard! That was all about feeling confident and free – and isn't that a really strong statement in fashion history? And yes, the girls back then certainly did look radiant! It wasn't quite ballet yet - it wasn’t so much ‘dance’ as gymnastics, and women are just getting to grips with the amazing things their bodies can do – so this is one of those big, exciting moments in fashion, you see!
I must say that I did see quite a lot of women sporting leotards for their exercise, especially around the big city - I can’t divulge my exact location! I’m sure it’s a place all you history buffs will recognize and probably visit in your own time…I even did a quick impromptu, private ballet session (I always have a travel tutu with me!) at the local gymnasium to celebrate – a whole day in leotard heaven and nobody was the wiser… although people kept trying to hand me pamphlets about the gym and were not at all amused by my flamboyant pirouette-fuelled explanation. Oh, and let’s not forget the boys, those gym boys back in Victorian England, their leotards weren’t as glamorous, I’m afraid. Not pink and definitely not with sparkly sequins. It's funny isn’t it? Boys always get the short end of the stick in leotard fashion – I always do say a nice sparkly leotard would help a lot – don’t you think? Maybe pink is for every gender and I'll make sure all you male ballet dancers (there must be some of you out there!) have some awesome, glittering leotards to show the world – maybe I should open up my own ballet company in Derbyshire! Anyway back to the 19th century…
Of course, leotards were not just found in the gym, but at the opera and ballet – yes, darling! - where a lovely leotard or a rather elegant dress worn with tights and leggings provided the most breathtakingly beautiful stage for the graceful dancers. And of course, a tutu. And a tutu of course needs a leotard. They all work in beautiful harmony don't they? You can't have one without the other, especially if you are a dancer in the Victorian era or any era really. They are truly made for each other – leotards and tutus! That’s what a fashion expert like me can tell you – this sort of harmony – you can only learn from time travel I suppose!
Now, while those leotard gym girls were stretching and cartwheeling, let’s talk fashion! This era had some of the most elegant evening dress leotard designs with little cap sleeves, and lovely long-sleeve high-neck alternatives as well. There was even an ethereal, airy design in silky, white satin with just the right amount of flowing material to dance the night away – if you were a proper lady dancer and performing in public - it really did get around the Victorian etiquette and create quite the impression in the dancehall, if you know what I mean… you know I love all the history details and how we express ourselves with fashion! Now of course back in this time, they couldn't go shopping for all their fabulous leotard needs like we can today. The Victorians just didn’t have online shopping!
And let's not forget, you could not miss those long flowing ribbons at the back of the leotard designs! Just think, those beautiful ballet ballerinas, waltzing to their hearts’ content on stage – well they weren't just a pretty face – those little ribbony things could really tie their whole dance performance together! That’s one detail I haven’t noticed since in leotard history, really I feel we've missed something with these sweetly dramatic leotard details of the 19th century!
In 1885 the dance performances weren’t always easy going, they were actually quite rigorous and really physical and so these beautiful ladies had to work really hard and train constantly in their amazing leotards, I felt a real appreciation of all that effort! These leotard wearing ballet dancers were absolutely committed to their profession! They trained so hard. There’s just nothing like putting on a pretty pink tutu, slipping into a gorgeous leotard and showing the world your dance steps and that you know what you’re doing in terms of beauty, art and exercise! That's how I do it! My pink-tutu performances bring a sparkle to everyone’s day, even the grumpy-looking people who don't love fashion as much as I do…
That said, one day I found myself bumping into some very exciting, avant garde fashion. This wasn’t your average Victorian style – more an 1885 Parisian look and I can tell you I nearly ripped my gorgeous, sparkly time travelling leotard! So it goes when a real fashion devotee hits up a new spot, especially on the fifth of May in 1885. But I am here to tell you, I nearly didn't make it! It’s definitely the highpoint of the year!
This avant garde Parisian designer was doing something truly out of the ordinary and he made this revolutionary piece for one very talented, beautiful dancer – the kind of design which breaks all the rules! A tiny bit revealing but utterly mesmerizing – yes, I'm not talking a full leotard here. I'm thinking bodice! You know I like a great bodice with a big puffy tutu or a big flouncy, pleated skirt! This Parisian piece was actually part of the bodice revolution which took place in this very period, and all I’m allowed to say is - think plunging neckline! Think black! Yes, I’m not usually a fan of black but in this context – all the right lines and an interesting combination of textures and patterns! A bold mix of lace, silky, rich fabrics and delicate textures, and yes there was a splash of pink of course. Imagine this black, black leotard with a black skirt and a single sparkly pink, little heart-shaped appliqué on the left breast – it looked like the most stylish, and artistic creation imaginable all fashioned to the body with delicate ribbons and silk cords. Oh, and just to add - imagine it on a real *living breathing * human being! In the early 20th century it is just such a stylish silhouette with a tiny touch of pink – who could ask for anything more, it’s perfect! It's really so fascinating and bold. A classic, striking design, perfect for showcasing the curves and moves of a real dancer and what we're talking here, are powerful movements! This is not your typical 19th century design, in fact it is a complete fashion revolution. I thought for a moment I had stumbled into a time portal to the Roaring Twenties! My sparkly pink leotard is truly the most magical piece of attire in all of space and time - I’d say!
But this piece isn't about the frills of Victorian fashion, it’s a piece with real artistry. Just thinking about it now brings me joy! This was the kind of piece that took my breath away. Yes, it’s hard to leave, 1885 and that amazing piece. And to think, these little gems were all tucked away on this May 5th, 1885 just for me! This is the magic of a sparkly pink time travelling leotard. Just you wait – you’ll see!
What are you doing for the rest of your weekend, tutu twirlers? How are you expressing yourself? Where will you wear your pink tutu? You’ll know I’ll be making an appearance in pink, pink, and more pink - just be sure to follow the pink-tutu website, pink-tutu.com – so you don't miss out on my future fashion escapades. See you all next month in a dazzling new location! Goodbye, for now, my precious darlings!
XOXO Emma
