#LeotardHistory during 1914 05 May

Hello, lovelies! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina! This month, I'm waltzing back to a time when fashion was all about elegance, frills, and the oh-so-lovely "S-bend" silhouette. It's May 1914, and oh my, are things about to get exciting!

I've been prepping for this trip for weeks. Imagine: cobblestone streets, dapper gentlemen in their finest suits, and ladies sporting the most gorgeous hats! The excitement is palpable. I'm stepping back in time, not just with my magical, sparkly pink leotard, but also with my love for leotard history!

Now, I can't wear a tutu out and about in this era (although how fabulous it would be to get everyone twirling!) So I've settled on a delightful Edwardian-inspired ensemble. My trusty pink leotard, with its charmingly feminine lace detail, peeks out from beneath a flowing, diaphanous, baby pink skirt. I've topped it off with a dainty silk blouse, a wide ribbon cinching my waist, and a gloriously frilly hat adorned with silk roses. It's like a dream come true!

So, why 1914? Let me tell you! This year marks a pivotal time for dance fashion, with exciting developments on the stage and in the studios.

Think back to 1914. The "New Woman" had just started to appear on the social scene, ready to challenge traditional expectations! This included challenging the very concept of what it meant to be a woman and a dancer. The Edwardian era was an era of change and it was reflected in the clothes! Think shorter, less restrictive clothing, a more "flowing" silhouette and – drumroll please – trousers, * gasp!* But more on that later, darlings!

This time period was all about a blossoming sense of individuality within dance! The first Diaghilev Ballets Russes company performance had just stormed Paris in 1909! It had made waves, with its breathtakingly flamboyant costumes, imaginative stage designs, and audacious new dance moves. This year, however, Diaghilev had some particularly daring and interesting choices in store.

It was during this era that we saw the rise of what we now know as ballet as a professional artistic field. Previously, ballet had been a courtly art. It was something for noblemen to perform, but this began to change and we saw new ballets with new, unique clothing that pushed the boundaries of acceptable dress, especially when it came to length! Remember, dear readers, that it was considered scandalously immodest for women's skirts to reach above their ankles!

Speaking of audacious, it was during 1914 that the Daphnis and Chloe premiere shook the Parisian scene with the innovative use of movement in relation to music! Now that's a ballet performance to watch! (Don’t worry, dear reader, it’s not the type of ‘shocking’ you might expect! Think beautiful, flowing choreography, inspired by ancient Greek themes!) You know me – I’m all for those beautiful moments of drama and fluidity!

Imagine being in the wings, the excitement of the performance just starting! I imagine it must have felt so different compared to a theatre performance today. I can picture the air buzzing with anticipation, as the ballet dancers dressed for the premiere, their long tutus in beautiful colours billowing out around them, every stitch lovingly sewn. What a joy to be part of such an intricate world of elegance! It is simply beautiful. And think of those fabulous leotards! It must have been a privilege to see how a ballet dancer looked behind the scenes, like a hidden gem tucked away!

Speaking of backstage, what’s really fascinating is that the modern ballet costume evolved so organically during the 19th century, from dance wear to practical attire that allowed ballerinas to perform complex movements freely and with beautiful fluidity!

Think about this, darlings! This time period was the real start of serious progress in leotard evolution! The tight-fitting bodice and the skirt became part of the design of a ballerina’s costume! This change wasn’t just practical. It was about the flow of the fabric, and the elegance of its movement during performances. And don't get me started on those adorable frilled necklines - absolutely adorable! I can’t imagine those weren’t completely impractical in reality though, haha! But so much beauty is to be found in them, even if the dancers’ hair and makeup got a little more chaotic, they certainly embraced those sweet flourishes of elegance!

The world of ballet was about to shift on its axis with the changes of the twentieth century, a period when leotards would become even more streamlined and practical!

And I have a confession to make… I'm rather thrilled by the fact that I'll get to see the first ever performance of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring while I'm in the past! (Oh yes, that’s the riotous premiere. The ballet everyone's been talking about!) However, as I’ve mentioned before, we do have a difference in how we think about ‘shocking’ nowadays. The scandal was more about how controversial it was in terms of music, movement and how these elements could work in harmony with one another - we might see it as beautiful nowadays. (Especially in its stunning costuming. Those wild costumes... just divine)

While ballet took centre stage (pun intended!), it's not just the elite world of performance that captivated my attention. Even in the mundane, dance and movement were influencing fashion - you just have to know where to look!

Imagine a street performer in 1914. Just picture their beautiful hats and billowing skirts! Oh, the grace they must have displayed while juggling and performing tricks, such beautiful, elaborate and very dramatic dance moves in those stunning dresses! Imagine twirling those skirts and leaping about, gorgeous! They were the influencers of their day, sharing those wonderful street performances in towns all around the UK.

While I can't waltz down the street in my pink tutu without turning heads in a rather… dramatic manner, the elegant Edwardian fashions certainly have me feeling like I'm a part of something absolutely special. There’s something so graceful, so refined about that time period, with that emphasis on elegant hats and those charming, fluid dresses. That’s the true appeal of vintage clothing - it embodies the very essence of an era!

There’s a sense of beauty, style and fashion that’s almost untouchable when you’re travelling in time, especially when the era feels so magical, like in the Victorian era!

Don't despair, my lovely readers! You too can add a dash of 1914 charm to your outfits! Embrace the Edwardian spirit, and let your inner ballerina shine through!

1. Hats are your new best friends! Let's talk headwear, darlings! In the 1914s, the hats are a key part of every look - we have our ladies who love their lovely feathered fascinators and even ladies who dare to sport something like a "Gibson Girl" hat, (so dramatic, and with such grace!).
2. Silhouettes! Forget the skin-tight trends, ladies, this is all about soft, flowing fabrics! Choose skirts that fall around your knees in a pleasing drape!
3. The S-Bend Silhouette - It is such a feminine way to show your gracefulness and poise! It will definitely catch eyes in any of the London shows!
4. Details, darling! Add touches of lace, ruffles, and delicate buttons to your dresses for extra visual appeal. Just picture your sweet ruffles when twirling, like the lovely petals of a rose - elegant!

Embrace the spirit of the past, and create something wonderful for yourself today. Who knows what magical journey will bring your dance fashion inspiration, especially when it’s so much fun to channel your inner dancing queen, a true style icon, and even perhaps a dash of Victorian era influence in your next dress.

Don’t forget to let me know in the comments below what your favourite style details from the 1914s are - maybe even share what show you’ve been watching, and tell me all about those beautiful outfits that stole your heart!

Until next month, remember to always dance with grace, and don’t be afraid to be bold!

Yours truly,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com