#LeotardHistory during 1906 06 June

Post Number 570

Hello my gorgeous lovelies!

It's Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina extraordinaire, reporting back from my latest trip to 1906, 6th of June! It was an absolute whirlwind of vintage leotard delights, and oh my goodness, the fashions! Let me tell you, there's nothing quite like diving headfirst into a different era, sparkling pink leotard and all!

For those of you who are new to my pink-tutu-tastic blog (and if you haven't subscribed, what are you waiting for?!), I'm all about showcasing the fabulous world of leotards through the ages. I hop through time, my magical sparkly pink leotard my chariot, exploring fashion and history, with the goal of inspiring every single person to embrace the pink tutu spirit!

To fund my adventures, I also hit the streets with some mesmerising ballet performances - my lovelies always cheer me on, donating a few pennies here and there! And when I'm not time-travelling or entertaining, I spend my time browsing vintage fashion shows, popping into shops for the latest leotard styles, or dreaming up new tutu designs - let's just say my life's a little hectic, but endlessly fascinating!

Now, let's rewind the clock back to 1906...

Picture a world where bustle skirts were the epitome of glamour, hats were HUGE, and women still wore corsets. Imagine if that were the definition of everyday chic. Well, that's what 1906 fashion was like! Thankfully, there were already rumblings of change - we’re starting to see the silhouette become less restrictive, moving toward the more graceful forms of the “Gibson Girl” era.

When it came to leotard fashion in 1906, there was a marked absence of the colourful, stretchy fabric we associate with leotards today! It was an age where tight-fitting, practical undergarments reigned supreme. Ballet, at the time, wasn't quite as widely accessible as it is today. There were still very strict class structures, and women were expected to be more reserved, both in their lives and in their wardrobes.

Ballet was a huge deal in 1906! The Russian Imperial Ballet was enjoying great success, thanks to Anna Pavlova. Her grace and style inspired legions of dance enthusiasts and made ballet a cultural phenomenon, pushing its influence into the fashion world.

This had an impact on fashion, especially leotard fashion, albeit in a subtle way. Imagine a woman with a figure as flawless as Pavlova’s, dressed in a tight-fitting, elegant dance costume – that sort of streamlined look began to influence the silhouette for all women! You can see the start of the transition away from the constricting corseted fashions of the previous era.

I found a great example of this influence while wandering through a haberdashery store, overflowing with bolts of the finest fabric. Among the silk ribbons and lace trims, I discovered a collection of silk velvet undergarments. Now, silk velvet is luxuriously soft and drapes beautifully. I think the popularity of velvet among dancers was definitely playing a part in the fabric’s wider adoption for other garments too!

My Tip: For a touch of vintage glamour, think about adding a velvet trim to your leotards - I think the contrast between the classic satin leotard and velvety black edging looks utterly gorgeous.

Imagine my joy when I finally found a small but delightful shop specializing in dancewear. This little gem was packed with treasures, mostly utilitarian undergarments, but a few beauties stood out! I’m going to be honest, there wasn't much in the way of the fun, bright leotards I love, but a few key trends definitely piqued my interest.

• Sleeves! Think form-fitting sleeves, usually just to the elbow. These were perfect for those with long arms, and I had to try them on! They gave me a vintage-chic ballerina vibe without being too stuffy.
• Lacy Panels! Some leotards, more like dance costumes really, had strategically placed panels of lace, mostly around the bodice. It made a huge difference, creating an airy, romantic silhouette and adding a touch of boudoir chic to their dancing attire!
• Color Palettes! Even though color wasn't as bold back then, we did see a lot of pretty pastels in silk and satin - pink, blush, and the lightest shades of blue. So even in 1906, ballet was embracing a hint of pink, my favorite color!

I managed to snag a couple of vintage dance outfits for myself. The lace on one is absolutely stunning! And it’s perfectly fitting that I should take these beauties back to Derbyshire for my next street ballet performance, just to spread the love of pink tutus in my hometown!

It wouldn't be a proper Pink Tutu Travels post without a touch of the whimsical and fantastic! Remember, I said the 6th of June was quite the whirlwind of events. Well, just as I was exiting the haberdashery store, my senses tingled. As I passed by an elegant lady dressed in her best finery, I caught a glimpse of what seemed like an almost-invisible thread streaming out of her sleeve! I’m convinced it was magic.

She must have felt it too! The lady stopped and stared at me with the strangest look on her face. A curious, almost mischievous glimmer in her eyes. And you know what? For a moment, she looked utterly fabulous in that vintage gown. Like something out of a fairytale, not entirely real. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she was a magical fairy in disguise. And the thread... oh the thread! It’s probably one of the secrets to my own sparkly pink time-traveling leotard, but I wouldn’t dream of spilling the beans!

So, that was my whirlwind trip to 1906! Until next time, my lovelies, remember that life's a dance and you're never too old, never too bold, to don a pink tutu!

And if you see me in Derbyshire, don’t forget to give a little cheer and drop a penny into my collection box - it’ll help fund my next fantastic, and totally pink, adventure!

See you soon!

Emma xx