#LeotardHistory during 1961 07 July

Hello darlings! Emma here, your trusty guide to all things leotard, tutu, and time travel. It's the 7th of July, and this month's magical trip whisked me back to 1961, a year brimming with fashion delights and, of course, stunning leotards!

I was shimmering in my lucky pink sparkle leotard, ready for a trip through the ages, and it wasn't long before I found myself in London, England, a place where the fashion scene was buzzing with a mix of old Hollywood glamour and youthful rebelliousness.

The streets were filled with bright colors and daring patterns – the perfect backdrop for my own little pink tutu moment. As always, I donned my best ballerina posture and struck a few poses. Let me tell you, it takes guts to wear a pink tutu on a street corner in 1961, especially in London. But, that's what makes me tick, and frankly, I got quite a few admiring looks!

It wouldn’t be a time travel adventure without a visit to the theatre, so I headed over to the Royal Opera House to catch a performance. This is the moment I realised how incredible it is to have the ability to go back in time and see those historic shows first-hand. You feel a deeper connection to the story and the artistry when you experience it in its original context. I know, I know, it sounds awfully dramatic but you wouldn't believe how moving it feels to experience these historical events live!

This night, it was La Sylphide that had the whole house buzzing. It was the ultimate ballet for leotard inspiration! The costumes were all so sleek and classic - the ballerinas glided through their moves in these incredibly graceful, feminine leotards. So incredibly sophisticated!

That evening I decided to use the little funds from my street performances (people have such kind hearts!) to purchase a very rare vintage leotard in the finest lilac silk at a charming little shop I stumbled upon just around the corner from the theatre. It's so hard not to spoil myself, but it wouldn't be a true Emma adventure without a leotard purchase, would it? 😉

Now, back to that fabulous 1961 style! The women in 1961 were so much braver with their fashion choices. Think full skirts, playful prints, and chic hats, but also the emergence of those stunning, form-fitting leotards. Leotards were still very much considered ‘athletic’ wear in 1961 but a growing trend for fashion shows incorporating leotard-based designs meant that the world of dancewear was really starting to infiltrate mainstream fashion, and with good reason, as we all know.

Think figure-hugging silhouettes, pops of colour, and daring textures - all the key elements that set the stage for what became the swinging sixties fashion explosion! Leotards were becoming synonymous with modern, empowered women, which made my heart sing. They became the staple outfit for the girl next door. Just picture a sleek black leotard with a chic A-line skirt and heels, perfect for a dance night out, a trip to the shops, or simply looking super stylish walking down the street. They made women look absolutely gorgeous, both in the studio and outside.

Right now, back here in my own little corner of Derbyshire, I’m dreaming about incorporating a vintage touch to my everyday looks. You see, time travel gives you a real appreciation for the history of fashion! This trip has convinced me more than ever that the classic leotard silhouette remains as trendy as ever, and 1961 has proven that even today, it can be reimagined for modern wardrobes. The perfect foundation for a confident, chic style – and I believe that every woman deserves a moment of ballet fashion magic.

So, to wrap it all up, don't be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina, my lovely readers! Pick out your prettiest pink tutu, put on a beautiful vintage-inspired leotard and go and get noticed. And, as always, I hope to see you rocking a pink tutu, somewhere on the planet. Keep those tutus swirling, ladies! 💖

See you in August, for the next stop on this enchanting time-travel adventure!

Emma x