Hello darling leotard lovers! Emma here, your resident pink tutu wearing, time-travelling ballet blogger from the glorious Derbyshire countryside, ready to whisk you away on a fabulously fashionable journey through history! This month, we're stepping back in time to a particularly exciting date ā 1st January 1889, just before the turn of the century and bursting with vintage elegance.
Todayās travel to 1889, marks post number 361 in my pink-tutu.com blog and as usual, Iām feeling ever so excited to share my latest adventures with you all. So, hop on board my magical time-travelling pink sparkling leotard - I've got my dancing shoes on, a bag bursting with sequins, and my head filled with historical style secrets just for you!
London, 1889 - An Evening of Ballet and Beyond
As the first rays of dawn peeked over London, I stepped out of my sparkly pink time machine onto the bustling cobblestone streets. Can you imagine? A crisp, clean-cut city of grand buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and men in top hats - oh how charming! It was straight out of a Jane Austen novel, but with an exciting twist. My first stop was Covent Garden, where the Royal Opera House held a particularly dazzling ballet performance tonight - āGiselleā, an ethereal masterpiece which would undoubtedly captivate Londonās high society. I was thrilled!
In 1889, the world of ballet was still evolving, but the Victorian ladies had their own sophisticated dance attire - a fascinating mix of corsetry, layered tulle skirts and graceful lines. Their ballet costumes, I heard, were much simpler than today, featuring elegant long-sleeved tunics and short tutus. It was quite unlike my modern tutu and leotard combo, but incredibly captivating nonetheless!
I, on the other hand, fluttered around London with a twirl and a grin, radiating a flamboyant burst of pink in my fabulous leotard - I must have quite a shock to some of the Victorian gentlemen! But they gave me curious glances, and some even offered a gentlemanly nod. Charming!
Shopping for Leotard Inspiration
Of course, my adventure wasn't just about the performance. A time travel blog post wouldnāt be complete without a peek into the world of fashion. London, you see, was the very epicentre of 19th-century fashion. It was an absolute must for me to explore the charming shops. I couldn't wait to dive into the world of Victorian lingerie - the delicate embroidery, the corsetry that redefined the feminine silhouette, and the early prototypes of the leotard for ballet. I can only imagine what a fashion magazine in 1889 looked like! I imagined beautiful engravings, elegant models and the latest in fabric technology.
One boutique in particular, āMadame Pompadourāsā, captivated my attention. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of lavender and jasmine, the shelves were filled with silken gowns and opulent bonnets. I can almost smell it! I was mesmerised!
My little pink purse was lighter after I splurged on some lovely bits of lace to recreate some early 19th-century style - after all, inspiration is everywhere! A pair of beautiful silk bloomers, inspired by the graceful Victorian dancers of the time, were a steal and I felt my inner ballerina giggle!
My Street Performance for Pink Tutu Funds!
Before I travelled back to the present day, I just had to show my stuff to the lovely people of Victorian London. Itās not easy being a time traveller - gotta fund those time travels somehow! I spun, leaped, and twirled right on the edge of Piccadilly Circus. The bustling crowds watched in silent awe and wonder as my sparkling pink leotard became a spectacle to behold! It certainly brightened the day! I was given generous donations of pennies, shillings, and a few gold sovereigns too - that was an exciting sight! Perhaps, my pink tutus will even find their way into Victorian fashion ā what a dream!
The Leotard Fashion Revolution
The year 1889 - the pre-Edwardian era. It was a time of transition. It was during this period that ballet as we know it started taking shape and the modern, practical ballet leotard - that piece of clothing we wear today - started to be a central part of every dancerās life. But before this pivotal era, the ballet garment had much less form.
Todayās leotards and their revolutionary impact on dance attire simply wasn't possible back then! Think about the evolution of fashion and its constant change! I, for one, love every iteration.
I just know that the leotard is destined to become even more fantastic in years to come - after all, isnāt fashion always evolving? What a thrill for a fashion-loving ballet blogger like myself to have a front-row seat to all this.
And so, my darling leotard lovers, I must take my leave for now! Until next month, remember, there is an entire world of fashionable tutus, dazzling shows, and colourful leotards just waiting to be explored, so keep those twirls tight and dream big!
Until next month, may your tutus always shimmer, and your dreams be as bold as a vibrant pink!
Yours in style,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
