Hello my lovely leotard lovers! It’s Emma here, back with another tantalising journey through time, and oh my, this month’s adventure is a real treat! We’re setting our sparkly pink tutus and time-travelling leotards to January 1st, 1968. Buckle up, darling, because this year’s all about bright colours, bold patterns and a touch of groovy revolution!
Now, imagine it. You’re a Derbyshire lass like me, except, well, we’re in a different decade altogether! The Beatles are ruling the airwaves, and everyone’s got a penchant for psychedelia. My pink, sequined leotard – oh, it sparkles like a disco ball! It catches the eye of a lady wearing a stunning lime-green, flared dress. “Fancy seeing a leotard like that, love,” she chirps, her eyes wide with fascination.
“Oh, I simply adore it,” I tell her with a charming twirl, feeling the ruffles of my tutu float around me. “The fabric feels so light and airy, perfect for leaping about and expressing myself through movement. What are you wearing? That colour is fabulous!”
She tells me she’s on her way to see a play. A play! In London. I've been longing to catch a show in the capital, but haven't quite saved up enough from my street ballet performances just yet. “Would you mind if I joined you?” I ask politely, my pink ballet shoes tapping excitedly on the pavement. “I adore seeing performances, and perhaps there’s some lovely leotard fashion I can learn from!”
She laughs, her cheeks blooming with a cheerful flush, “Of course! This is the National Theatre’s new production of Hamlet. They say it's quite groundbreaking - you'll love it."
And you know what, she's right. This "Hamlet" is incredible! It's dark, dramatic, and utterly fascinating. While the cast is captivating in their traditional theatre costumes, I spot a few elements of modern fashion peeking through. Bold splashes of color, dramatic geometric shapes - it feels very 'now', with an undercurrent of revolution and societal change bubbling just beneath the surface. It’s as if even the world of theatre is getting swept up in the spirit of the time!
I am, of course, a keen observer of leotard fashion. And this decade has certainly been a wild one! I'm seeing so much bright, bold colour, daring patterns and a real move towards form-fitting styles that celebrate the female body.
In the ballet world, the iconic costumes of Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn are still revered. And yet, a new generation is coming to the fore. Dancers are embracing bold colour and form. Think dazzling, vibrant turquoise, crimson red, emerald green… a veritable explosion of color! The shapes are evolving too – from classic form-fitting designs, leotards are now incorporating dynamic textures and interesting shapes. We're even seeing daring additions like straps, buckles and other unique accents.
And then, of course, there are the tutus. Think whimsical, free-flowing silhouettes that are just begging to twirl. Tutus are experiencing a revolution too – evolving beyond the traditional white ballerina aesthetic. Think bold colours, dramatic layers, and the ever-popular bell shape tutu. This decade is all about the playful, the daring and the creative.
On my return to my own time, my mind is full of ideas for my own wardrobe. I’ve even noted down a few names from that show - who knows, maybe one day I'll find myself attending a modern performance, decked out in my time-traveling pink tutu and surrounded by the dazzling colours and bold creativity that was bursting from 1968!
Stay tuned, darlings! More captivating travels through the history of leotard fashion are on their way. Until next time, keep those tutus twirling, and never be afraid to embrace a splash of colour!
Much love,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Did you know that January 1st, 1968 also saw the debut of “The Thomas Crown Affair”, starring the iconic Steve McQueen? I simply had to get myself into that vintage cinema! That black turtleneck – simply chic. And, the leotard that Faye Dunaway wears when she goes dancing - oh, I've been sketching out some ideas already for my own new look! Time travelling allows for such exquisite shopping adventures!
P.P.S. Remember, you can always find me out and about on the streets of Derbyshire. My next street performance is this weekend. Feel free to come down and twirl along! Don’t forget your pink tutu – the more, the merrier!
