Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-loving blogger Emma, here from Derbyshire, England, bringing you the very latest from the world of leotard history - a whole month has passed already and this August day is brimming with pink tutu excitement!
For this post I've dipped back to August 1892 to check out the leotard scene!
As you all know I'm utterly obsessed with history, and I especially love to explore what the fabulous women of the past were wearing. Well, 1892 has got to be one of the most exciting years so far! Imagine if you will, 1892 London. It's brimming with Victorian fashion and Iām dressed in my trusty sparkly pink leotard - that makes me a little out of place (unless it's a fancy dress party!) ā but it gets me across the centuries and I must say, Iām certainly standing out from the crowd.
Fashion In 1892 - What were they wearing?
For the women of the 1890s, itās all about corseted bodices, the āGibson Girlā figure and bustles! A long skirt was a must ā if it wasnāt flowing on the floor, it definitely had a bustle behind it, and all the fabric had to be in shades of pastels, blues, lavender, and soft reds. The look was feminine, pretty and definitely āproperā ā something the men loved because it accentuated their ladiesā figures.
It seems a little restrictive for my tastes and my pink tutu does look completely different in the mirror. It makes me laugh - how can something as beautiful and stylish as a pink tutu not have been seen before? You'd think it would have appeared way back when. In fact, my sparkly, fluffy tulle number would probably be banned ā maybe even thought a little naughty back then - but I reckon that the fashion world is going to embrace pink tutus by 2042, just you wait and see!
Street Performer In the Past!
Now, for you fashionistas who love your vintage - the fashion from the 1890s is just calling out for you to step back in time! Think long skirts with corsets that you can wear over tights or leggings (or even one of my wonderful pink tutus) ā but don't forget your 1892 long gloves!
But letās get back to leotard landā¦ in this year 1892 the fashion is very different from my pink tutus and even my everyday leotards that I buy on my travels. I guess itās one of the great things about leotard design, there's always been something out there for every shape, taste and budget.
My latest ballet outfit for performing in the street is amazing: pink tulle skirt with a very Victorian-looking black lace leotard. I really need to learn how to use those gloves again ā for the street and my ballet performances - because Iāve managed to make quite a few embarrassing mistakes recently, like spilling a glass of champagne at an important opera opening in Paris.
How do you go on about Time Travel and Fashion History?
I find that the way people respond to my sparkly leotards in the past is very different to modern day. People stare. Then they give me the kind of look that makes you wonder what theyāre thinking! I have been chased out of some cities with a very āitās the Victorian Era, please wear long skirts!" attitude which kind of spoils the enjoyment. On the other hand, a lovely 18th century countess was very sweet - she loved the color of my leotard, took a shine to me, and invited me to her fancy dress party that she was throwing.
I did meet a lovely man on a trip to Paris who looked as if he had stepped right out of a Victorian illustration ā he was in a super dapper, formal jacket, with an impeccably shiny top hat and trousers. We discussed the amazing, amazing leotard he had made out of a 1890ās bathing costume. He thought that my pink tutu was really great, though we did have an āunderstandingā (because 1892 Paris and English country girls were definitely NOT compatible), and even though I got on with this lovely gentleman very well indeed (at the party and later) the countess had to move on a ship to the faraway West Indies. This meant the dashing chap was also taking to sea. What can I say? ā life's hard when you're a leotard-loving time traveler, don't you think?
Now I must make a quick dash off to put together a few more posts on what we can look forward to in the future for leotard design! Thereās so much I could be saying on pink tutus. This week Iām really excited to see some designs made from feather and sequins for my stage wardrobe for my performance this week. In fact, if anyone is up in Derby and sees me around you are sure to see my sparkly pink leotard under my long, floaty skirts and be able to say you've been to a show put on by pink tutu girl - maybe you'll even want to grab a tutu or two? Maybe even in pink, just like me, to put a bit more "me" into your style!
Stay gorgeous lovelies and enjoy your week! See you back here soon on my next time-traveling fashion post!
Love, Emma x
