#LeotardHistory during 1887 05 May

Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another monthly post from my www.pink-tutu.com blog! Buckle up your sparkly shoes because today we're stepping back in time to 5th May 1887, to explore the captivating world of leotard fashion just before the turn of the century.

This month's trip saw me donning my brand new, pink, shimmering leotard, one I’d snagged for a steal at the last street performance in Soho. The glitzy, rose gold sequins caught the streetlights perfectly, ensuring I was a glowing vision as I jumped back in time. You know how I feel – nothing beats a sparkle, and nothing beats a time travel leotard with a matching sparkle! It even comes with an added bonus: the swirling sequin design allows me to vanish from present-day London in a sparkly puff, and appear back with a dazzling, sparkling shimmer! It's practically a magic trick!

Right, let’s get to this amazing trip, because, as I said, we're diving into a fascinating moment in history: 1887, a year overflowing with creativity, culture, and yes, you guessed it - leotard fashion!

The story of the leotard is actually quite fascinating. Its name came from Jules Léotard, a French circus performer who popularised it in the mid-19th century, originally intended for use by acrobats. But let’s fast-forward a little – and wow, did the leotard journey across time!

Fast-forwarding to the Victorian era and the leotard is evolving – no longer merely a functional gym outfit, it was gaining its artistic wings and embracing a new theatrical identity. As ballet exploded in popularity, so too did the need for outfits which blended elegance and freedom of movement.

The leotard became a perfect candidate – offering grace and practicality all in one. Think graceful tutus twirling in the most delicate, flowy fabrics – that's the beauty of this little bit of fashion history, don’t you think?

And what better place to embrace a vibrant new era of dance, than the Parisian Opera House! Now, you wouldn't want to leave without a mention of my all-time favourite leotard from this period – it was designed by none other than Jules Lefèvre! Think tutu-inspired, with romantic swaths of tulle – the sort of leotard you'd wear in a timeless, beautiful Parisian opera, complete with a perfectly placed, twinkling diamante ribbon. Pure fairytale romance!

While the Victorian age embraced fashion that was often ornate, the 1880s embraced a new sense of individuality. And who do we thank for this? The ballet! That’s right, ballet dancers started using this exciting new world of leotards as a canvas for individual expression. The leotard, once solely about practicality, started to reflect different types of dance styles, allowing dancers to communicate through movements, the choice of colours, even the tiny details like the type of ribbon!

You might say the ballet was an exciting artistic revolution. And as ballet blossomed and became increasingly adored by the wider public, the demand for these wonderful new outfits grew exponentially. Suddenly the leotard was not just about functionality, it was a statement of individuality and the artist’s individual expression, too.

And talking about expression … don't think we just had a singular ballet form! As a ballet fashion devotee, you have to get a taste of all the styles, darlings, and the Victorian Era provided many. I'm talking graceful and beautiful "Ballet blanc," that brought in the classic, Romantic styles - flowing lines, delicate fabrics, that beautiful and feminine sense of airy lightness. Oh, you just wouldn't believe it, darlings! I loved it, and it was an honour to be swept back into the whirlwind of romantic dance! Then there's the power of the more muscular, dramatic style of Russian Ballet – an artistic dance which relied upon greater physicality and dynamic movements, which brought more innovative fabrics and, you know it, more dazzling leotards! These leotards were all about expressing movement and strength – often featuring fitted materials, rich, striking colours. We’re not just talking plain black here – think shimmering silks in bold shades – burgundy, emerald, you name it, you'll find the most dazzling leotards designed for strength, grace and powerful dance!

### Leotards on the Scene - Performances and Shopping

My 5th May 1887 journey was nothing short of amazing, darlings! You simply can't beat the sheer energy of Parisian culture at this time, and it’s always such a joy to hop across the channel to watch some performances! I ended up enjoying an absolutely magical production of Swan Lake at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. A beautiful piece which delighted audiences with graceful moves and, naturally, exquisite costumes – so, the perfect place to observe the magic of ballet costumes at this time. Just imagine all the incredible details – from the elaborate tutus designed with elegant lines, the exquisite lace detailing that adds to the fairytale charm, the delicate fabrics, the beautiful colour palette - and of course, you know how it was all about embracing this enchanting romantic vision!

The stage and its productions provided an enchanting ballet world. Oh! It’s worth mentioning that the whole trip provided a true feast for the eyes – because I simply had to indulge in a shopping spree, right? My darling, I'm telling you - Leotards were available for those wishing to add to their dancewear wardrobe in a fantastic selection of London shops. I found all kinds of leotard styles and fabrics to explore. It’s true – if you wanted to feel like a star, or, like me, simply enjoy the sheer joy of this wonderful bit of fashion history – well, London really had it all.

So, as we hop back to present-day London, I just want to reiterate how special it is for me to wear the perfect leotard to journey back through time, with my shimmering tutu and sparkling sequins, so I can explore and discover this extraordinary fashion. It truly is a way to capture the beauty, grace, and movement of a truly unique and captivating fashion moment!

Remember to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com for more amazing travel tips and more about ballet fashion - and let me know what your thoughts are in the comments section below. I absolutely love hearing your thoughts on this amazing, swirling, wonderful world!

See you all next month, darlings. And remember – every day's a performance, so keep twirling and keep dazzling.

Love,

Emma xx