#LeotardHistory during 1903 05 May

Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here, back with another magical journey through the wonderful world of leotards! Today, we're stepping back to 5th May 1903, and landing right in the heart of Paris, the fashion capital of the world.

Now, you all know my obsession with tutus is pretty much legendary. It's hard to resist that whimsical twirl-ability and that beautiful burst of feminine grace. But today's time travel was extra special, because the inspiration for the modern-day leotard came directly from this era!

Buckle up, my dears, as we dive into a fascinating journey of dance and fashion history…

Imagine the year is 1903. It’s a world of elegant hats, flowing dresses, and oh, the corsets! Fashion was all about that delicate, feminine silhouette. Now, imagine you’re a dancer, with a love for movement, yearning to express yourself freely. You want to move with grace and fluidity, but the constricting layers of clothing are holding you back!

This is where our beloved leotard enters the scene.

Imagine the vision: a one-piece garment, fitting like a second skin, allowing freedom of movement, but still accentuating that graceful feminine line. It’s no surprise then, that a dancer named Anna Pavlova (oh, such a wonderful name!) was at the heart of this change!

Pavlova was already a world-famous ballerina, known for her delicate technique and beautiful, graceful style. As a pioneer in the world of dance, she began wearing a one-piece, skin-tight costume that freed her movement. And this, my dears, is where the leotard was truly born!

From the stage, this garment travelled into the wardrobes of acrobats, gymnasts, and even swimmers! It became a symbol of freedom, grace and elegance, a must-have for anyone wanting to express their beauty and artistry.

So, here I was, stepping onto a cobbled street in Paris, 1903, feeling a delightful mix of excitement and curiosity. My time travel leotard, a shimmering pink creation, was definitely drawing some surprised glances, but that's my job, right? To get everyone twirling in pink tutus!

After navigating the cobbled streets, I popped into a beautiful shop brimming with the latest fashion creations. A luxurious display of silks, satins and velvets greeted me. The shop was a vision in itself!

Now, for you fashion lovers out there, 1903 was all about lace and femininity. They adored intricate designs, delicate trimmings, and frills galore. While it’s true that the “modern leotard” was just taking shape, fashion was a playground of ruffles and ribbons.

While I certainly couldn’t wear my favourite pink tutu in this era (the fashion police might have something to say about that!), I found some fabulous pieces that, with a little creative tweaking, could work wonderfully as leotard-inspired pieces. Imagine a corset top with delicate lace, paired with a fitted skirt in a luxurious shade of silk. So graceful!

I did find some amazing lace-trimmed undershirts, which definitely reminded me of modern-day leotards. Now, my dears, that's where the fun of fashion comes in. Taking an era’s styles and adding a dash of modern creativity - that’s how we build our personal style!

The journey into the past wasn’t just about clothes, it was about immersing myself in the dance scene. Now, I’m no professional dancer myself, but a bit of “street ballet” keeps me feeling like a true time-travelling ballerina! You can always find me performing outside Buckingham Palace or Westminster Abbey!

This month, I’m particularly inspired by the grace of a classic ballet like "Giselle" performed at the Royal Opera House. Its exquisite choreography is the perfect example of elegance, fluidity and sheer beauty, all in the most gorgeous leotards.

Now, imagine the fun of adding my signature pink tutu to that look! Just picture that splash of colour against the black and white ballet backdrop. It’s a real feast for the eyes!

### A Little Something Special

And finally, dears, before you go, I have a little something special to share! In my last trip to the 1920s, I found a fabulous book on leotards. (Think glamorous flapper dresses with that sleek silhouette we love). I’ll be posting the highlights on the blog soon, along with some stunning historical pictures - you won’t want to miss that!

As always, thank you for joining me on this fabulous time-travel adventure. Remember, let's all embrace the spirit of leotard fashion and keep on twirling, dancing, and letting our personalities shine.

Until next time, dears,

Emma x

* www.pink-tutu.com *