#LeotardHistory during 1968 07 July

Hello darlings, Emma here, back again from another fabulous adventure! This month, I was absolutely brimming with excitement to zip off in my sparkly pink time-travelling leotard - the pinkest, most fabulous of pink! We’re travelling right back to the summer of love, July 7th, 1968 to be precise, to find out all about leotards and how they were dancing around the world.

For some time, I’ve been particularly intrigued by the late sixties. Such a big shift in fashion, it was an explosion of colour, boldness and the dawn of a more daring era. With The Beatles, Woodstock and the flower-power movement, everyone was looking for a bit of joy and freedom, and that most definitely extended to what we wore! Think vibrant colours, miniskirts, flared trousers, and, yes, a real love affair with the leotard, of course! I couldn’t wait to see this era of fashion in all its fabulous glory.

Now, I’m a big fan of tutus. As most of you know, I think everyone should wear one. There’s just something so chic and joyful about it, and the combination of a pink tutu with my time-travelling pink leotard is quite frankly, iconic! (If I say so myself).

But as much as I adore a good tutu, it wouldn’t be fair of me not to acknowledge that it wasn't the most widely worn style of the time. And there's definitely something to be said about the classic simplicity and comfort of a leotard on its own.

Oh, to be a ballet dancer in this era! This is when dancewear really began to enter mainstream fashion and became a must-have for the modern girl! Remember those iconic scenes from “The Thomas Crown Affair” where Faye Dunaway is effortlessly glamorous in a leotard and sheer tights, with that fantastic hairstyle? We really are living in the golden age of dancewear and we’re just catching a glimpse of the fashion we have to thank.

And now, for a glimpse of the spectacular dance that was sweeping across the world on July 7th, 1968:

Imagine for a moment a huge, plush theatre, packed with excitement, glowing under the bright stage lights, with a wave of vibrant pink, red and purple tutus swishing as dancers performed gracefully on the stage, accompanied by an intoxicating blend of jazzy tunes and passionate Spanish melodies.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is “Don Juan,” an iconic Spanish ballet with its signature red costumes. Premiered in London in 1963, “Don Juan” was having a dazzling comeback, still making audiences breathtakingly enthralled at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and right at the centre of the action, I couldn't have been more excited to take in this moment of history.

The passionate intensity of the dancers, their graceful movements, each pirouette and grand jeté – they just breathed the fire of Spanish culture onto the stage!

That is the magic of ballet – a story told through motion and the captivating elegance of dancewear. It's something that still mesmerizes me after all these years and it was a true treat to have a glimpse of its early evolution back on July 7th.

And how was London itself in that summery July? Well, I simply love London’s buzz and vibrancy. Even back then, it was full of creativity, a fashion playground, full of bright colors and bold cuts!

I did, of course, visit Harrods, a temple of fashion in London. You would have loved the gorgeous collections of luxurious evening gowns with daring splits, high necks, and bold textures - some adorned with an equally dramatic plume of feathers, of course!

The shops of Carnaby Street were, of course, a highlight for my little adventure, and the sheer volume of bold print, colour, and flamboyant style was exhilarating! It wasn't all tutus and leotards back then! There was something quite different going on!

Speaking of tutus and leotards, my very favourite shop on this particular date was “Chelsea Girl.” My gosh, their window display of leotards and jumpsuits were incredible, all set against a backdrop of a beautiful, colourful vintage mural, featuring iconic 60s imagery and motifs. I couldn’t resist a quick photo! There was even a little stage where a girl, in a leotard and short, white dress was dancing - and the whole experience just captured the essence of this fabulous era perfectly!

The thing that surprised me about leotard fashion back then is that it wasn’t just exclusively for dancing anymore. Leotards were so incredibly chic, and were embraced as a way of life. Women were embracing this versatility and the ability to mix and match it with other pieces to create amazing looks.

But if you wanted more of an adventurous take on the fashion of July 1968, there was nothing better than seeing a show!

London has always been the city to go to for world-class entertainment and July 1968 was no different! Imagine my excitement when I found out I was there on a Tuesday, and guess what? A musical legend - and my own personal favourite - was having a live performance!

I could hardly contain my glee, ladies! The wonderful and simply iconic Dusty Springfield was live on stage at The Palladium theatre, belting out some of her biggest hits - a dream come true! And how stylish were her outfits? She changed into a stunning yellow jumpsuit, a shimmery metallic gown and, you guessed it!… a sparkling, navy blue leotard with a matching blue skirt! A real trendsetter indeed, she had it all, that flawless, sultry vocal delivery and some very on-point fashion choices to boot! A queen of glamour, without a doubt.

So, all in all, I’d say my trip to the swinging sixties on July 7th, 1968 was just spectacularly colourful. A journey back in time, brimming with vibrant colours, flamboyance, and incredible entertainment! It made me realise that leotards really were at the forefront of fashion in the late sixties, not just for dancers, but for the world to see, wear and embrace. From stage to street to everyday style, the leotard had truly arrived, an exciting reminder of a decade of style and joy.

My dearest readers, do join me next month when I take another magical trip! Don’t forget to let me know where I should go! I am open to suggestions for a future time-travel adventure! And don't forget, “pink tutus for everyone,” is the motto I stand by, so spread the pink tutu love, darlings. Until next time, I'll be pirouetting through the days until we meet again, on www.pink-tutu.com, for more fun, exciting, leotard fashion adventures!