Hello, my darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu, where fashion meets history, and every day is an opportunity to twirl in joy! It's your favourite Derbyshire girl, Emma, and I'm absolutely brimming with excitement to tell you about my latest adventure. This month, I've popped off to June 1888! And, oh, the fashions... it's like stepping onto the stage of a glamorous, shimmering dream.
But before I start spinning tales of glorious silk and sparkling lace, I'm dying to know: did you wear a pink tutu today? 😉 It really does add that extra something to your day, don't you think? Maybe you just put on your favourite leotard with that little bit of pink detail, or maybe, like me, you embraced the full pink-tutu power!
Right, let's rewind the clock! June 1888! The air is electric with the anticipation of summer. London's streets are a kaleidoscope of bustle, horse-drawn carriages clinking through cobblestones, and dapper gentlemen in top hats and tails, strolling along with their parasols. The ladies, oh my, they are picture perfect in their corseted frocks, and I can almost hear the tinkling of their fashionable petticoats!
And, of course, what's a good London adventure without a dash of theatre! I managed to slip into the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where a production of The Mikado was taking center stage! Oh, how the audience cheered, their laughter ringing out into the night. It was almost as if everyone in that theatre had just been given an extra cup of bubbly! And did I tell you that, while my dazzling pink tutu might not have been the most acceptable fashion for a respectable Victorian woman, the gentlemen all swooned as I floated through the aisles, my sparkling leotard catching every beam of candlelight!
Speaking of leotards, dear readers, it is here in 1888 that I found the earliest signs of the evolution of what we know and love as leotards today. The maillot, as it was then called, had its roots in the acrobatic performance of the 19th century, mainly worn by the gentlemen who were pioneering in the arena of acrobatic prowess. It was just a simple body-fitting garment that would offer them freedom of movement and, naturally, some modesty. It was mainly composed of knitted wool or linen - perfectly practical!
But what is truly captivating, is the fact that those early "leotards" would already have elements that we would see being incorporated into ballet costumes today. Tight-fitting garments for ease of movement were gaining popularity, with features like decorative seams, the start of what we now call the "shoulder straps" (although quite a bit less decorative back then, mind you) and, dare I say it, some of the first indications of tutu designs. There were very small, gathered ruches of material (nothing like the magnificent tutus of today!) starting to become seen as part of acrobatic and ballet stagewear. So it was quite the delight for me to spot these humble early stages of what would evolve into some of the most dramatic, exquisite and, let's face it fabulous outfits, seen on stage today.
Of course, I couldn’t go to London without having a bit of a browse in the shopping arcades! Imagine the beautiful silks and lace and satin that I saw! It felt like the entire history of embroidery was bursting out from those shop windows. The Victorian period is so elegant, with intricate designs and delicate floral motifs on absolutely every fabric. Just imagining that artistry used for a ballet outfit… well, I need a time machine just to shop some of these beautiful silks!
So, all in all, a truly amazing adventure in June 1888. We saw the birth of some truly inspirational and beautiful clothing trends. We even glimpsed the genesis of the glorious leotard, that symbol of agility and dance! What is more fascinating than witnessing history in its early stages, and discovering how everything that is amazing around us has roots, some even reaching as far back as the 1888 Victorian era!
And my dear reader, I have no doubt, just as a little butterfly has been able to flutter its way from one small seed to blossoming into an enormous, beautiful bloom, so shall our passion for the leotard blossom! This magnificent little garment, worn with elegance and a touch of magic, shall one day grace the world, one pink tutu at a time.
Until next month, darling readers. May you always find yourself twirling in the beautiful, magical and historical dance of leotard fashion! Remember: if you are in a place in life that needs a tiny bit more magic and joy... then you must get a pink tutu! You'll be amazed at what a little touch of pink sparkle can do.
See you soon, my loves! 💖Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
