#LeotardHistory during 1894 12 December

Greetings from Derbyshire, dear readers!

It's Emma here, your favourite pink-loving ballerina, ready to take you on another thrilling time travel adventure through the fascinating world of leotard fashion! As always, I'll be sharing all my favourite finds and discoveries, and of course, rocking a magnificent pink tutu.

This month, I've travelled all the way back to December 12th, 1894! Can you believe it? My pink sparkly time-travelling leotard has been working overtime lately, but oh, it's all so worth it!

Now, let's be honest, the Victorian era isn't known for its, shall we say, adventurous fashion choices. Imagine a world without Lycra! Imagine a world where tutus are strictly relegated to the stage! A world where… shudder... leotards are not yet even a twinkle in the eyes of fashion designers!

But even in the midst of buttoned-up bodices and long, billowing skirts, I've found an interesting twist – the sparkle of Victorian Christmas. It was all the rage back then, a time when families went all out for festive decorations. And wouldn’t you know it, a spark of glamour and extravagance was making its way onto the theatre scene too.

I found myself at the London Palladium, one of the grandest Victorian theatres of its time. Imagine the magic! They didn't call it a “leotard” back then, but a “danse-tights.” Think of them like tights with a twist! They weren’t the sleek and supportive pieces we see today, but more of a delicate garment, typically worn under a knee-length skirt for dancing. These “danse-tights,” fashioned from fine silk or a luxurious blend of wool and silk, often included elaborate patterns and even came with tiny embellishments like beads or sequins! The excitement, dear readers! Imagine the Victorian dance scene glittering under the stage lights.

But you know what's the best part? Victorian Christmas meant sequins! Think about it, all those glitzy theatre productions! I bet the ladies dancing in those "danse-tights" had to have added some serious Christmas sparkle to their outfits. My pink sparkly leotard, designed with Christmas in mind, could almost have fit right in! It even has some lovely tiny pearl details along the shoulder straps - it’s practically a time-travel miracle! And it's all about adding that extra sparkle, don't you agree?

It's truly fascinating how trends come back around. Christmas sparkle, in the midst of all that velvet and lace! Imagine my excitement! Even if the dancing styles were somewhat different, the love for extravagant performance was clear.

What else is exciting in the world of 1894 leotard fashion? The world of professional dancing is taking off! There are even some revolutionary “female dancers,” breaking barriers by taking to the stage wearing those beautiful “danse-tights." They're dancing everything from waltzes and quadrilles to some of the latest trends - the daring Boston, the exotic and fiery Spanish, even the popular polka! Who knew? These amazing ladies are captivating audiences and revolutionizing dance!

It’s like a sneak peak into the history of ballet fashion, right?

There’s a truly magnificent stage outfit called the “ballot” – this flowing, sweeping skirt has some incredible designs that I’m convinced we could re-introduce today for a breathtaking, modern twist on ballet fashion. Imagine it – sweeping skirts that flow with every movement and graceful gesture! It’s sheer magic. But don't forget – the “danse-tights” provide that essential sleek silhouette underneath – just imagine the power they’d have had.

And of course, these trends were a hit on both sides of the pond, making their way from London across the ocean to America. You'd be surprised by the parallels in history – it truly was a time of transformation for the world, even in leotard fashion.

Of course, I wasn't just glued to the theatre, I couldn't miss the opportunity to indulge in the beautiful 1894 Victorian shops and market stalls, breathing in the scent of Christmas. My little heart almost exploded when I spotted some fabulous sequined-trimmed silk scarfs! The perfect way to add a festive touch to an otherwise plain outfit, don't you think? And they weren’t only for ladies! My oh my, gentlemen's shirts with their delicate collars and beautifully cut waistcoats provided a platform for sparkling button studs – truly magical. You simply can't resist a little sparkle in the festive season, right? It’s in the spirit of things!

And of course, I had to try out a few Victorian shopping excursions myself – that era's shopping experiences were something else. It's almost like an exciting treasure hunt! With cobbled streets and beautifully handcrafted items in little shops with such lovely characters and such warm energy, you could lose yourself for hours! And the smell of fresh bread and warm spices… It truly adds to the holiday magic! And trust me, it's easier to time-travel from 1894 with a sweet and spicy, comforting hot chocolate, right?

Even with my adventures back in 1894, I still can't resist indulging in my love for the most important element of a great dance outfit – the leotard!

After a long, tiring but fulfilling day of exploration, I popped into a contemporary ballet shop back in my own time for some much needed inspiration – those bright pink fabrics, the beautifully designed back cuts, the sleek, modern details – I'm sure even Victorian ladies would approve! But really, is there anything that brings us closer to dance and expression more than a leotard? They are essential in every dancer’s life, past, present, and future, no matter how you twist it!

So there you have it, dear readers, another fabulous month of exploring leotard history with your favorite pink tutu enthusiast! Remember, you don’t need a magic time-travelling leotard to be fashionable - just a touch of creativity, a splash of colour, and a lot of fun! Keep that sparkle in your heart, embrace those unique trends, and dare to be different. You never know where your next inspiration might come from!

Until next month, keep your tutus twirling!

Yours truly,

Emma

Don't forget to visit my website for more fun posts, fashion finds, and ballet inspirations - www.pink-tutu.com !