Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-travelling leotard connoisseur! It's the 12th of December, 1893, and oh my darling readers, I've just stepped out of my time-travelling pink sparkling leotard right into the heart of Victorian England. Fancy a trip with me, shall we?
(Insert Image of Emma in her pink time-travelling leotard against a backdrop of Victorian England, holding a pink tutu)
Remember, you can catch me strutting my stuff at street performances around Derbyshire - I fund my fabulous adventures by bringing the magic of ballet to the people! It's so rewarding seeing the joy in their eyes as I twirl and pirouette in my bright pink tutu, showcasing the beauty of ballet to the world. You can follow my monthly blog on www.pink-tutu.com for more enchanting travel adventures.
A Leotard Fashion Fix in 1893The world of leotards has always been a journey of style and evolution, and the late 19th century is no exception. Here, in 1893, we find the classic ballet costume beginning to take shape. Remember, my darlings, this period was the golden age of ballerinas, and leotards played a pivotal role in their performance!
Firstly, leotards were primarily worn by women for gymnastics, and while they didn’t make their debut on the ballet stage until much later, they were starting to emerge as a favoured choice for training, thanks to their flexibility and ability to show off the intricate movements. Think figure-hugging designs, in sleek black, dark blue or perhaps even some fetching browns! These were the staple colours of the time - think understated elegance.
I might not be seeing any pink leotards on stage just yet, but perhaps my travels will inspire a shift towards more colourful fashion in the ballet world, eh? One can dream!
Oh, how I long for the day when everyone is twirling in their very own pink tutu, embracing their inner ballerina and filling the world with pink!
A little peek at what’s trending in 1893 for my dear Victorian ballet fans:
Romantic Tutus: This era was obsessed with the Romantic ballet, and tutus were taking centre stage with ethereal layers of delicate tulle and elaborate designs, all floating and graceful! This is the style that defines the era – you’ve probably seen these tutus in the ballet classics!
Leg Warmers: They were ALL the rage - the warmer and more elegant way to cover your legs, darling. Imagine - soft velvet, delicate silk or beautiful satin, adorned with ribbons, feathers or a beautiful flourish of lace. Oh, just exquisite!
Flat-heeled Shoes: Unlike the high heels you might be imagining, Victorian ballet shoes were flat with just a little toe-support! A subtle style which still allowed ballerinas the graceful movements that captivated audiences worldwide.
Pointe Shoes: It's a joy to witness the evolution of pointe shoes. While they weren't widespread yet, the pointe shoe is beginning to appear, paving the way for those graceful leaps and breathtaking jumps! It was quite a daring choice, and they weren't designed for mass-produced usage just yet. But as with everything, the world of leotard fashion was constantly evolving.
It was a most fabulous day to be in London - imagine the thrill! This December, my darling readers, I happened to catch the famous ballet dancer, Adeline Genée, at the London Palladium! I was swept away by her sheer talent, her grace, her style, and her beautifully-shaped limbs (because honestly, how stunning can you be!) Her choice of outfit was everything - the most classic black leotard adorned with silver and ivory trims. The leotard itself wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but its intricate design really stood out. She moved with such effortless beauty and passion.
I made it my mission to seek her out after the performance, and she was truly as charming as she appeared on stage. It turned out we even share a love of leotard history, which delighted me no end! I even confessed that, once she returns to her time, she may just find an adventurous pink leotard tucked in her dressing room - just a small token of my appreciation for her graceful artistry!
She gave a light laugh - and wouldn't you know, she'd been admiring my pink tutu too, which of course she found most extraordinary!
(Insert Image of Emma with Adeline Genée, with a background of The London Palladium)
As for her legacy, I think it's fascinating how many people Genée influenced in the ballet world - especially as she paved the way for more women to join ballet schools! I had a fabulous time soaking up her performance and chatting about all things leotard history!
### A Day of Shopping and Glamour
As a proud advocate for leotard fashion, it was unthinkable for me to miss out on the London fashion scene! It's the 1890s and everyone is taking inspiration from the most elegant styles, and fashion here is truly divine! Imagine – shops are bursting with the latest fashions, including, of course, delicate corsets, elaborate gowns and the ever-so-essential Victorian hats, with an emphasis on a luxurious look!
I had to pay a visit to one of the leading shops in London - Marshall & Snelgrove, on Oxford Street – where, believe it or not, ballet clothing was making a first appearance! They even had a special department just for ballet supplies! They even stock leotards now, in black and brown and with a small range of grey and navy. This kind of thing makes a time traveler so very excited, darling!
Imagine my joy when I found myself amongst the racks of silk and velvet leg warmers that were perfectly suited to complement a classic leotard look - they came in beautiful blues, soft greens and luxurious pinks, amongst other shades. They even had the prettiest sparkly lace that would look stunning as trims for leotards.
My heart nearly skipped a beat - they were just what I had been hoping for! I stocked up on the pinkest leg warmers with dainty frills around the edges, imagining the look of my pink tutu matched with a classic leotard. You have no idea how excited I am to see how a pink leotard paired with a delicate pink leg warmer and a twirling tutu would look on the stage!
(Insert Image of Emma shopping in the shop, in her pink time-travelling leotard, pointing out pink leg warmers to her followers)
Taking Inspiration for Pink-tutu-dom!Oh, my dears, this trip to 1893 is giving me SO much inspiration for future blog posts - it really does prove that leotards, ballet fashion, and dance are such a big part of what makes the world go round.
And, as a true advocate for pink and its ability to add a splash of magic to life, I'm hoping that my pink tutu-wearing ventures inspire more people to add a dash of vibrant colour into their outfits. You can rock that pink tutu!
Now, excuse me - I’m going to go explore more of this Victorian Wonderland in my time-travelling pink sparkling leotard - but stay tuned for next month’s adventure when I explore the fashion scene of an entirely different time period – the excitement just never stops! Until then, take care of yourself, my dear readers!
(*Insert image of Emma doing a pirouette in her pink leotard and tutu in front of the time travel portal. *)
Yours always,
Emma x
