Hello, darling tutu lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu, your monthly dose of all things leotard fashion, performance and, of course, the enchanting world of pink tutus. I’m Emma, your resident time-travelling ballerina, and this month we’re taking a trip to July 7th, 1887 – a grand year for the Victorian Era!
My oh my, do the Victorians ever have a certain style about them! Today, I found myself in London, the centre of it all, with my trusty, magical, pink-sparkling time travel leotard! And guess what? I actually got away with it – not even a raised eyebrow! Imagine: strutting around, radiating all my 21st-century fashion, but amidst the corseted ladies and gentlemen of London! The gentlemen are all about their tweed coats and top hats, whilst the ladies are all draped in extravagant layers of skirts, their corseted figures on display.
Today, I took a stroll around the world-famous Covent Garden. Of course, they didn't have the opera house as we know it yet, but they do have a beautiful marketplace overflowing with the finest fruits and vegetables from all around the country. And in those stalls, you see it - the Victorian lady's equivalent of the leotard – the corset!
The Victorians were absolutely bonkers for corsets. They were seen as essential undergarments, designed to shape the female figure to achieve that iconic hourglass silhouette. Not to be outdone, I managed to catch a glimpse of the renowned ‘Royal Albert Hall’, with its distinctive, gothic-style architecture, and, wouldn’t you believe it, they are already planning for opera shows with full costumes – this makes my inner performer dance with glee!
For someone so keen on ballet and dance, one must ask – was dance in the Victorian era? Well, it was definitely a time of great dance developments. But, gasp, for all their fascination with dress, it would seem there were quite strict rules surrounding dancing! Victorian society felt that women dancing too flamboyantly could lead to….gasp...suggestiveness! Ooh la la, and that would not be acceptable! Can you imagine my lovely tutu sisters, not being able to flaunt their leotard creations on a dancefloor, because of this so-called "suggestiveness" nonsense?! Thankfully, all this changed around the time of the Edwardian Era, as I’ll share with you next month! It's worth a whole blog post! But in all seriousness, they weren’t always as strict – especially at fancy balls where some lovely waltzing and ballroom dance were all the rage. You’d have women waltzing about in elegant ball gowns with their "dress reform" trousers worn underneath for easy movement! It was more fashionable to move in those times, I must admit, not so stuck in the past like we are with our fashion faux pas!
While those Victorian corset and trousers combo may have been seen as quite revolutionary then, my heart was pounding with delight for another fashion find today – tights! Yes! The first patent for hosiery with seams, as we know them, was filed on the very same day that I travelled through time – the 7th of July! Ooh la la! These were far from the fashionable statement pieces that they are today, though. I imagine them as simple stockings, designed for everyday wear - I'm hoping to have a closer look at a few during my next visit to this time, as they do seem quite fashionable in their simplicity! Now, how do you think these stockings will translate into modern day dance wear? I think, just imagine a ballet dancer performing on stage, with the shimmer of a sheer pair of tights on their legs – I mean, simply divine, don't you think?!
Today was an absolute dream – so full of history and fashionable discoveries, all within that gorgeous backdrop of London! Oh, if these cobblestone streets could talk – They’d tell stories of bustling markets, of ladies in elaborate dress, of daring performers showcasing their talents. All of which are, of course, inspirations for my very own Pink-Tutu creations! It fills me with excitement to imagine the wonderful evolution of leotards and ballet dress, leading up to the fashion extravaganzas we see today! Now, let’s see if the modern era can match that Victorian love for elegance, fashion, and beauty!
Now, before I let you go, I want to remind you, to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com for all your time-travelling leotard adventures! I've even been adding a section where I post about my fabulous dance performances all over the world - this month is London's very own Hyde Park! Come say hello if you're in the neighbourhood.
Until next month, darlings, stay radiant and full of joy! Remember, every day can be an adventure in leotard fashion!
P.S I nearly forgot! I need your help! The most wonderful Pink Tutu challenge: Tell me about your favourite leotard for ballet or dance. Post it on our Pink-Tutu social media and we will celebrate our love of all things leotards, whether that's a classic tutu, a sparkling performance piece, a bold and colourful street leotard - the sky is the limit!
With all my dancing love!
Emma
xx
