Hello darling tutufolk! Emma here, your resident time-travelling ballerina extraordinaire! This month, it's back to my beloved vintage leotard hunting grounds - July 1903. Oh, the glamour of the Belle Époque, it calls to my sparkly-pink heart!
This is post number 535 on the ever-growing www.pink-tutu.com - a testament to my ever-growing passion for all things pink and twirly! And just imagine - it’s all thanks to my magic, pink-sparkling time-travel leotard! A little secret - you just need to believe in the power of the twirl to activate it - it’s true magic! 💖
Before we dive into the fashion delights of 1903, let's talk funding, darlings. The reason I can travel back in time and explore leotards, past and present, is due to the power of street performances! So many of you lovely ladies are becoming twirling pros! And the joy of watching little ones shimmy and shake in their very own tutus makes every single penny so worth it. Let’s keep the street shows sparkling, so I can keep bringing you all the latest leotard scoop, vintage or brand spanking new!
Alright, time for the real reason we're here! July 1903 - a date buzzing with leotard-related activity. The early 20th century is a golden era for leotard design, just the start of an explosion of freedom in fashion. It’s also the perfect excuse for me to sport a gorgeous vintage, lace-trimmed leotard (all found at a charming antiques shop in a lovely little village called… Oh dear, can't tell you, wouldn't be fair to the shop owner, even though it's the past, time-travelers have to have some ethics you see!), pairing it with my beloved sparkly pink tutu, naturally. This leotard, ladies, it's a vision - all flowing, luxurious velvet and exquisite detailing, just like something out of a dreamy fairytale. And remember, this is well before the glorious rise of lycra - imagine, velvet! The softness… the elegant lines! You know what, I might even try to find the pattern and bring it back to the 21st century for my own vintage inspired leotard line - how divine would that be?!
While my vintage leotard dreams dance through my head, back to the world of 1903, this time in Paris. Paris is the centre of the world when it comes to all things fashion, naturally. Here at the famed Folies Bergère theatre, the renowned ballet dancers wear beautiful costumes and some rather intriguing leotards! This year it’s all about silk, a deep scarlet shade, and even some luxurious silver accents, I spotted on a danseuse. She has the most amazing, feather-trimmed leotard I have ever seen. It reminds me of a stunning peacock, a kaleidoscope of beautiful feathers on a rich emerald silk - sigh The attention to detail here in 1903 Paris - truly magnificent! I've heard whispers of leotard-like attire even making it to the ballet stage at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City! Such wonderful, vibrant colour on the American stages!
It’s the beginning of leotard design revolution! Even in Britain, the leotards, mostly of fine jersey and stretchy cotton fabrics, are starting to be noticed on the theatre scene. They are elegant, yet so practical! They show off those gorgeous dance moves in ways traditional attire just couldn't! We’ve got such incredible design potential ahead! It seems everywhere you look in 1903, the leotard is evolving, and who knows, maybe it even takes centre stage on the dance floor.
Speaking of dance floors, a new trend is starting in London! You won't believe what I've discovered, my little twirling companions. There’s a wonderful craze called "The Glide" or sometimes “The Stroll,” a dance everyone is taking to. It's a whole new way to move. It is basically a simple glide and slow sashay that even my 21st century feet are desperate to learn. Apparently, it started in music halls and even travelled across the Atlantic! Now everyone is wearing a lovely soft satin blouse with an elaborately frilled and beaded corset-style waist belt, all the rage! No tutu involved in this fashion craze though, darling. It does mean a lot of movement though, perfect practice for the dance floor.
This new craze, the "The Glide", is even taking root in theatres. A little sneak peek at an upcoming musical comedy – ahem, I cannot give away details of the shows I see due to my temporal ethics…anyway, it is being danced to a delightful melody… and you can even see these dancers wearing leotards in vibrant hues of emerald and turquoise, some even sporting those dazzling new sequins. The dance floors in theatres are sparkling with a new kind of magic, thanks to these amazing new leotards!
Let’s not forget a quick jaunt to Derbyshire, my lovely home, where fashion follows the trend set by London and Paris! This 1903 vintage leotard journey really has something for everyone! I love seeing that these new fashion movements spread through the globe so quickly - leotard fashion knows no boundaries! Even a little village in the Midlands will have something amazing in store! My favourite Derbyshire milliner is putting together the most darling little “bonnet leotards” - and believe me, they’re only about 6 inches long and perfectly shaped! They’re so adorable, I have been adding little pink silk ribbons and frills. Of course, it’s very important to support local shops wherever I go, so don’t forget your own favourite independent shops and brands.
Now, I wouldn't want to leave you without mentioning some exciting developments on the sewing scene this month, especially here in Derbyshire, England. Remember ladies, fashion begins at the needle! It's the beginning of something quite magnificent, a sewing trend in all of Britain! The very clever women in the village have taken to an incredible sewing technique. They call it "lace applique!" The intricate patterns made on delicate mesh fabrics can look truly beautiful. Even simpler designs, such as floral details and butterflies, have incredible effect. They say the new fabrics allow for finer details, such as those wonderful little scalloped edges and delicate stitching details. The designs of our Victorian aunts and great-aunts really are coming into their own this year! The leotard looks perfect for adding a bit of appliqued magic to a special evening performance!
From vibrant dance floors in London and Paris, to my lovely home county of Derbyshire - and even across the vast oceans to America – 1903 was an incredible time for fashion in all it's forms, and in particular the magnificent evolution of the leotard! And that, darling tutufolk, is the kind of time travel that sets my little twirling heart on fire!
But what does July 1903 say about our fashion journey? What leotard magic awaits you, right now, this very second?
Remember, every day is a new opportunity to twirl. It’s all about the joy and power of movement! Let your heart soar on the dance floor, wherever that may be! Wear your leotard with confidence!
See you next month!
P.S. This month’s prize for the best vintage leotard photos is… you guessed it!… a handmade pink-tutu! (Keep checking www.pink-tutu.com for entry details! 💖 )
