#LeotardHistory during 1957 10 October

Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite time-travelling, pink tutu-wearing ballerina! Welcome to post #1186 of www.pink-tutu.com! It's October 10th, and as you all know, I can't resist a good dose of vintage leotard fashion! Today we're jetting back to 1957 to see what leotard trends were rocking the world back then.

Buckle up, darlings! This trip is gonna be a right giggle.

I just had to pop on my favourite pink sparkling leotard for this adventure! The little crystals twinkled and shimmered like stars under the streetlamps last night as I pirouetted my way through Derby Market Square. Let's just say, folks loved my little performance and the tip jar was brimming!

Now, with a suitcase overflowing with shillings (how they pay with pennies these days is a mystery!) and a heart filled with pink tulle dreams, it's time to hop into the time machine! This pink shimmering marvel of a leotard truly is magical - one twinkle, one twirl, and boom - I'm off!

Our first stop, London, England! This year marked the premiere of "The King and I," which put the ballet world in a real spin! Forget tutus, those elegant, flowy skirts were the absolute it item! The leading lady, Yul Brynner, had some exquisite costuming choices that really made the show a visual spectacle! Can you believe, those intricate designs were created by Irene Sharaff? Now, that's someone I'd love to meet!

We all know that the crème de la crème of ballet goes down at Covent Garden! But this year, there was another biggie, The Sadler's Wells Ballet, putting on a fantastic rendition of "Swan Lake"!

Now, 1957 was a bonkers year for ballet. Everywhere I travelled, from Paris to Moscow to New York, everyone was getting into the leotard spirit. Just imagine the thrill of stepping back in time to see Dame Margot Fonteyn dance in a tutu, I mean, can you imagine!?

The vibe in London was utterly divine. It's the centre of fashion for the world, right?

Londoners were embracing a new era of clothing! We're talking high waisted skirts and bright colours galore. Think polka dots, think full skirts, think A-line shapes – this decade was about the elegance and sophistication!

I spotted some wonderful leotard designs while doing a bit of window shopping at Liberty, a true haven of leotard treasures. Silk, lace, satin...oh, the luxury!

I actually bumped into some lovely girls, dressed in vibrant full-length skirts and little jackets. They wore flat, dainty shoes to complete the look! They chatted excitedly about "the look", that effortless elegance they sought after!

And guess what, darlings? This is where we see leotards sneaking onto the streets! Not just for ballet class anymore. Leotards paired with pencil skirts became quite the fashionable ensemble! It was a glimpse into a modern trend we can still appreciate today - the leotard, effortlessly chic, moving seamlessly from studio to street!

Let's move to the beautiful countryside of France. Here, women were all about the 'New Look'. Imagine cinched waists, elegant skirts, and a truly feminine touch. Leotards played a significant part here, providing that foundational support to elevate their fashion looks. I was thrilled to see that Parisian women loved leotards under their skirts! The elegance of that simple but effective layering - pure leotard fashion genius!

The USA was just as glamorous. New York, the centre of Broadway theatre, had a buzzing leotard scene. Leotard fashion, like in the world of ballet, was becoming an absolute fashion force, and actresses like Audrey Hepburn (who looked completely dazzling in “Funny Face!”) embodied it with style!

Think back to “The 50s", it was truly the decade of the feminine! Everything, including leotard fashion, was so gracefully elegant, and sophisticated!

It was magical, simply magical! As I hopped from one country to the next, I just couldn't help but twirl and spin, spreading the pink tutu love wherever I went. Imagine, all these women rocking a pink tutu! Now, that’s a world I could get behind!

My favourite moment? The little girl in Paris, staring at me with wide-eyed wonder as I glided past a cafe. I can still hear her squeal as I pointed my toe! She’ll grow up and maybe, just maybe, fall in love with the tutu like me!

Every time I travel, I realize the sheer power of a simple, pink tutu! It’s not just a piece of clothing. It’s a symbol of joy, a statement of self-expression.

And who knows? Maybe in 1957, a future pink tutu fanatic was taking her very first steps into a world of leotard magic. Maybe she’ll even have her own time-traveling adventures someday!

*That's all for this month, my lovely pink tutu wearers! Keep twirling, stay fabulous, and join me next month for more pink-tutu adventures! *

Until then, may your steps be light and your tutus be full of sparkle!

Yours in pink, Emma