Welcome back, my lovelies! It’s Emma here, your Pink Tutu Time Travelling guide to all things leotard-licious! You can call me Emma-Tutu-licious if you like – the shorter, the better, right?! 😉 Anyway, I'm so excited to be back with you for post number 636 on www.pink-tutu.com. My latest magical trip took me all the way back to 12th December, 1911, and boy, did it leave my sparkly tutu-loving heart singing!
This month, we’re swapping Derbyshire's chilly wind for the Parisian breeze as we step back in time and dive headfirst into the bustling heart of 1911's leotard scene! Prepare to be whisked away on a whirlwind journey through the streets and theaters of this era, where the very word "leotard" was still taking its first tentative steps onto the fashion scene.
It’s been a long journey for us ballet-lovers! If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know how far our beloved leotards have come! Remember those old days when our only choice was a stiff, uncomfortable garment with barely any colour options? Thank heavens those days are gone, but this little trip reminded me how much ground we’ve gained!
So, on this balmy Parisian afternoon, my magical time-travelling pink leotard twirled me straight into the city of lights. My shimmering garment must have attracted a lot of attention! People must have wondered, "Who's that strange sparkly pink thing strutting down the avenue with such fabulous confidence?". No doubt my twirling, my playful hops, and my fabulous street ballet routine attracted many curious stares. Who could blame them?!
It was definitely the perfect introduction to this historical treasure trove of fashion! Speaking of which… let's dive in!
The Ballet Scene: It's All About The Skirt!Imagine walking into the Grand Opera House in 1911. A hush falls, a single spotlight, and on the stage, graceful dancers appear. It's a scene I couldn't resist experiencing first-hand! While I couldn't manage to squeeze my shimmering pink leotard into the show, the ballet dancers were absolutely exquisite.
Their outfits, however, were far cry from our beloved modern day leotards! Imagine these gorgeous, swan-like women in long, billowing skirts - not only long, but adorned with tiers and tiers of luxurious lace and beautiful embroidery. It looked quite literally like they were wearing tiny dancing wedding gowns. How fabulous is that?!
However, look closely and there it is – the leotard. It's hidden beneath these layers, but you know what, it's essential to their elegant movement. It wasn't a single garment like our modern day ones, mind you, but a layered masterpiece - a combination of a tight-fitting bodysuit, then a thin petticoat or two to add fullness, then the ultimate, glamorous showstopper – the long, flowing skirt. It looked truly magnificent!
But that wasn't the only detail that caught my eye. Oh no, my lovelies, the true artistry lay in the color choices! They weren't simply sporting your average pinks and blacks. These dancers were painted in vibrant, artistic colours like greens, blues, golds, even some bolder reds. A vision of pure joy on that Parisian stage.
I even noticed some subtle variations. I found it fascinating that the colors themselves had a distinct, beautiful symbolism. The pinks represented innocence and purity. They’d even incorporate touches of silver for grace and sophistication. The blues, those shades of elegant aquamarine and the cool blues, symbolized royalty and elegance. You can see why the ballet scene is known for its meticulous details!
Street Scene: It’s a World of Colour!The streets themselves were a tapestry of dazzling, and most definitely, more affordable leotards. I'm talking about leotards for physical activities, of course! These were made mostly from sturdy wool or flannel – good quality material that held its shape but still gave them flexibility for exercise. The leotard style? It was all about practicality, my dears. A slim fitting top and some comfortable trousers - perfect for stretching, gymnastics, and yes, some even embraced dance in these garments!
These leotards came in so many exciting colours - greens, reds, yellows. There were so many options for each individual's personal style. Think bright yellows for the spirited girls and greens for the graceful ladies - it felt very much like a symphony of individual expression. It’s incredible to think about how early this type of individual flair was established!
Of course, no stroll through 1911’s Paris was complete without a stop at the bustling shops. One particular one caught my eye with its name: “The Lingerie Emporium”. Now, you might be wondering what a lingerie emporium has to do with leotard fashion, and to answer you, darling, a lot!
Inside, the displays were like works of art! You could see the intricate laces and embellishments. My inner girly girl was jumping for joy! The colours - oh my! The shades of white, pearl pink, delicate peach, creamy vanilla – it was heaven for my little time-travelling soul. You see, in this era, underwear was considered fashionable. Even the corsets, which we all know played a vital role in shaping those beautiful silhouettes of 1911, were on display in exquisite displays - a mix of elegance and a subtle undertone of cheeky, forbidden indulgence. You simply cannot help but feel fascinated by how the role of lingerie has evolved through the years!
This lingerie wasn't just about elegance, though. Some pieces were also meant for active wear, including lightweight, form-fitting shirts perfect for stretching or even some dancing movements! You could say they were a far cry from what we might consider undergarments today, they were practically an art form themselves!
As I strolled, my eyes fell on the price tags. A simple, practical leotard for sports cost roughly £1- £2. Imagine that! This affordability meant more people could express themselves through clothing! The colours, the designs, they were so well-tailored and personal to each wearer. How much this reminded me of our modern day “athleisure” movement – the idea of making comfort and practicality the fashion statement, but of course, 1911 didn’t have yoga pants or sports bras just yet! 😉
Finding My 1911 Leotard StyleI knew what I needed. After being bombarded by all this Parisian elegance, I knew my pink leotard was yearning for a change too! After a good shop in the lingerie emporium, I knew exactly what I had to create back in Derbyshire! A leotard that perfectly encapsulated the era, using modern fabric for comfort and elegance. Imagine a simple but exquisitely designed leotard, a deep rich sapphire blue with intricate floral patterns on the front, maybe even some delicate lace for extra whimsy. I also added a touch of silk in a pastel yellow to soften it up and provide some contrast.
Oh, and of course, I couldn’t go without adding a flowing skirt to complete the 1911 ballerina look. This skirt was the most luxurious piece. Made from silky satin and a soft tulle layer to add that dreamy volume - the kind that looks like you are floating across the floor! I also had it beautifully embellished with little delicate pink pearl beads to bring back that iconic, graceful silhouette of the period!
And now, to bring back my 1911 style into the present day? A sparkly pink, bejeweled belt! It may be a bit unexpected, but that extra dose of sparkle added that dash of fun that only a time travelling ballerina like me can pull off! 😉
My lovely pink tutu travellers, there’s so much more to say about 12th December, 1911. I could chat for days! But for now, remember – a leotard is a journey. It's about expressing your individuality, finding your unique style, and adding that extra bit of colour and spark to the world! Until next month, my dears, remember to spread that leotard magic, twirl with grace, and, of course, wear pink!
*Your Pink Tutu Time Travelling guide, *
Emma-Tutu-licious 😉
*(P.S Don't forget to check out my newest performance on YouTube: Pink Tutu - 1911 Parisian Nights) * 💖
