Hello my lovely readers! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger, bringing you another fascinating delve into leotard fashion history! As you all know, this month I’m taking a trip back to 1895, to see how the fabulous ladies of the late Victorian era were rocking their leotards!
My sparkly pink leotard is gleaming as usual – a testament to my trusty travel companion, my sparkly pink tutu – and I'm already buzzing with excitement! I can't wait to share what I see!
Before I even set foot in the magic portal (which, just as a little fun fact, smells like warm cherry blossom), I felt a pang of excitement – a mix of nostalgia and the sense that I'm on the cusp of something absolutely delightful.
I’ve arrived in the bustling, artistic heart of Paris. And guess what? My ears are already tantalisingly full of the sound of operatic voices and the strum of violin strings - sounds that always promise a glorious show! This city always gives me such a buzz of energy - there’s nothing like the feeling of being enveloped in a city overflowing with culture and artistry! And I'm so eager to see what it means for leotard fashion.
My first stop, naturally, is the Garnier Opera House. Just breathing in that beautiful Parisian air already gives me such a sense of glamour and grace. The city breathes style, which I always find so captivating. My eyes are already starting to feast upon some truly inspiring outfits, so prepare yourselves!
The ladies here are walking works of art – from the elegant gowns swishing past my legs to the charming little hats that are tilted over every pretty head, everything seems so chic! It’s a real feast for the eyes! I spot a little bit of sparkle on my first wanderings through the street, a dress adorned with sequins, a glimpse of gold from the clasp of a lady’s elegant handbag - and a dash of satin – and there it is - my beloved pink! The colours just shimmer, all elegant and understated, which, if you ask me, just adds to the allure!
As I walk towards the entrance to the theatre, the grand stone archway, embellished with elaborate sculptures of mythological figures, feels incredibly dramatic, a welcome to another world! Inside, a breathtaking hall greets me. There’s marble, frescoes and glittering gold, and I instantly feel myself immersed in the world of ballet and performance.
I want to get right to the leotards, and as always, I'll tell you a little bit about the ballet I’ve seen. I can’t tell you how incredible it is. Ballet is so very passionate, so vibrant, full of life! It just inspires me to leap into a beautiful pink tutu. But in my excitement, I realise there's a little piece of leotard fashion I want to tell you all about.
It’s the "The Corsé d’Habit." Oh, how lovely this piece is, truly! This corset isn’t the rigid, constricting style I was thinking of before I stepped out of the time portal, it is actually much more free-flowing! And the colour – you have to believe me, it's a beautiful shade of rose pink!
This particular style, for dance, is much looser than previous corseted designs, and what do you know? It’s designed to be comfortable while maintaining elegance and poise. Can’t say I’m not impressed, and it does have a rather modern feel! I think the designers of this piece really understood the desire to create movement, yet still exude that iconic graceful, feminine quality, something I so often appreciate about my beloved tutu!
They aren’t simply using pink, but they are incorporating the perfect shade - so sophisticated and elegant, just the way I like it!
As I continue through my explorations, the world of 1895 seems to have an understated sophistication that’s charming, full of refined glamour. As I move through the halls of the opera house and continue to weave through the bustling Parisian streets, my leotard really shines against this refined, classy background.
My time in Paris may be brief this month, but there's more to the story than just the magnificent corset.
This journey into leotard fashion history, in my beautiful pink tutu, always reveals something absolutely delightful about leotard design that inspires me, something that I’m always delighted to share. As you all know, the little world of the leotard is so much larger than it might first seem.
On that note, as the sun starts its slow descent across the Parisian skyline, painting the sky with soft pastel colours, I find myself back in the magic portal, a twinkle in my eyes and the sweet scent of cherry blossom lingering in my hair! This Parisian adventure leaves me so inspired by leotard design and ballet, that I find myself wanting to grab my tutu and spin under the night sky, dreaming of all the fabulous outfits yet to be!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey with me today, darling readers! Stay tuned for more amazing time-travelling escapades, as we explore the vibrant world of leotard fashion throughout the ages.
Remember, if you ever see a pink tutu fluttering past, or a sprinkle of sequins in the air, don't be afraid to say hello!
Love,
Emma
More about Emma
This time travel blog, "Pink Tutu", is part of Emma's wider mission - getting the whole world to embrace pink tutus! Emma finds inspiration in fashion, ballet and historical pieces to inspire new ways for everyone to enjoy the graceful elegance and playfulness of tutus. You can find all of Emma’s time travelling adventures, including some gorgeous fashion designs, and her favourite tutu-tastic outfit ideas on the Pink Tutu blog.
Emma loves ballet and believes that you don’t need to be on the stage to love it! Her belief is simple: "dance to your own tune." A passionate dancer, she performs street dance acts all across her local area of Derbyshire, England to earn money to support her blog and help make all of her amazing time travel adventures a reality. She is inspired by fashion and she hopes her love for it is infectious and makes everyone want to be as joyful as her!
Her blog can be found at www.pink-tutu.com
