Hey lovelies! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire pink-tutu-wearing ballerina, ready to whisk you away on another magical time travel escapade. Today we're twirling back to June 6th, 1900! It's the month of my birthstone - the pearl! And you know what, the fashion world in 1900? It was practically sparkling with pearls!
This month's time travelling leotard? A delightful vintage-inspired piece, a delicate blush pink with delicate pearlescent embroidery around the neckline and a shimmering tulle overlay ā I felt positively like a whimsical princess in my own little fairy tale. It shimmered even in the pale morning sun of Victorian England, casting my first step into this era like a magical ballet moment!
Of course, my time travel is only made possible thanks to your support. This month, I graced the streets of a cobbled market in London, pirouetteing to a lively polka in my newest shimmering pink tutu, collecting enough to keep those magical threads sparking for more journeys.
I headed straight to Covent Garden, London's artistic heartbeat. It was quite the whirlwind of colourful theatre costumes, ladies in elaborate bonnets, and a buzz that practically crackled with creativity. They were staging a grand new production of "Cinderella", which reminded me how much a fairy tale has to do with that exquisite "look", the magic of transforming a plain outfit into something special. It's a powerful thing, my dears, how fashion can change your whole feeling about yourself!
Leotards in the Early 20th Century
Now, talking about the fashion in the world of 1900ā¦ youāve probably already noticed that "leotard" isn't exactly the go-to word for a garment in this era, is it? Imagine: "Ooh, a dashing leotard under this lovely satin dress." Nah, not really, eh? Back then, they would've called it a ācombination garment.ā These werenāt what we would call the sporty, spandex wonders of today, no. They were essentially tight-fitting underwear, a little bit like what we would think of today as a vest, worn for warmth under heavier fabrics like silk. Imagine layers and layers, like an onion, under a long dress or under a heavy wool blouse. Think of them as underwear with style!
The women were dressed in long dresses and petticoats with bustles at the back. For those looking to exercise, there were corsets to hold the figure, not leotards, oh dear me, no! They didn't have the freedom of movement that we are blessed with today. But, you see, this time travelling gives me an idea! I bet thereās an untapped market for chic and supportive garments under those petticoats, perfect for a spot of gentle dance or even just for walking in style. I have some designing ideas buzzing around in my head, oh I can already picture them! Perhaps my next time-travel journey will see me taking on the fashion scene of this era? We shall see!
A Journey Through Leotard History:
Anyway, before I get too caught up in my next big design plan, I wanted to share what I learnt about the evolution of leotard fashion that day in June, 1900. It's really quite fascinating how things have changed!
We need to journey to 1849, a decade or so before my Victorian sojourn, to meet Jules Leotard, the man after whom we name our beloved, stretch-embracing fashion. Leotard was a daring French trapeze artist who introduced the first real "leotard" as we know it, though at the time it was called āa body stockingā! Imagine - not made of Lycra, but of velvety soft, tight-fitting cotton or wool! A big step forward from just undergarments!
The original Leotard's design was incredibly stylish, made with an elastic fabric that moved as easily as its wearer. A little more modest in length than those worn today, it featured fitted legs but with no sleeves and no shirt covering it. It made a fashion statement all of its own, and the leotard became iconic as it started to make a real impression, being popular with dancers of the time, like the daring French gymnast and aerialist, Jules Leotard himself!
I think thereās something rather symbolic about this, too. How dance and fitness, which are such a big part of how we wear leotards today, were already linked to the first leotard of them all.
A Fashion Evolution:
As the leotard went through the decades, its evolution went through many twists and turns, taking its influence from dancers and gymnasts as much as from the fashions of the time. You might be surprised by some of its iterations! In the late 1800s and early 1900s, they were often long-sleeved and reached to the knees, looking quite unlike the sleek, streamlined garments that are now synonymous with modern dancers!
A few more interesting time travelling leaps in our Leotard History journey, just to give you an idea:
In the 1920s, the "leotard" moved with the roaring era, becoming more and more like a fashion piece. They started to appear with interesting cut-outs and detailing. Think of a jazz dancer performing at the Cotton Club! It was almost a dressy version, especially as fabrics got brighter.
The 1930s was when the leotard really started to become an athletic piece of kit. Think of graceful ballerinas and powerful gymnasts.
The 1950s was a big leap! The iconic look of Audrey Hepburn's dancing in "Funny Face", became all the rage. The leotardās form became slightly longer and the fitting more forgiving for a much more free flowing movement in dance. This was where the leotard made its big move into becoming more than just for sport and exercise!
The 1970s really opened the door to an exciting evolution. It started with an embrace of the sleek and slim. But, as the decades evolved there was also a great shift towards freedom, and lots of different styles for everyone. It's at this point in time travel, where I would most like to do my research - for the history books to say "This was a leotard revolution!"
And now, dear reader, here I am back in 2023. Today we are surrounded by gorgeous, stylish leotards. With such incredible diversity and colour. Thereās something to flatter every figure and shape, every taste and style!
Oh it really is a truly amazing piece of fashion.
As for my time-travel, this is only the beginning of the tale of the leotard, a history I would love for you to get involved with. Iād love you to send me a comment on pink-tutu.com! Just let me know, what is your favourite era of leotard style? I am very keen to hear your thoughts.
Now I must away to prepare my next trip. It's going to be so very sparkly, I can almost feel the magic already. Until then, have a fabulous month and twirl with style,
Lots of love from Emma,
P.S. I am really hoping to find a leotard design for every era! What do you think my first 1900's inspired leotard design should look like? I am open to suggestions. Letās make a leotard revolution, together!
