Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger, bringing you the latest and greatest from the world of leotard fashion.
It’s been another fabulous month of shimmering sequins, twirling tulle, and breathtaking ballet, and I can't wait to share it all with you! Today, we're jetting back in time to the 12th December, 1968, and oh, my dears, let me tell you, the leotard world was truly ablaze!
A Trip to 1968 – Let's Do the Time Warp Again!
Whizzing through time in my sparkling pink time-travelling leotard (the envy of every fashion-forward time traveller, I assure you), I landed in London – a city pulsating with vibrant energy and an irresistible zest for life. It’s a beautiful city and even more dazzling back then! I couldn’t wait to delve into the leotard trends of this pivotal year in fashion.
My first stop? The Royal Opera House. Oh, the sheer glamour! Think cascading silks, sophisticated velvet and, of course, the most exquisite ballet leotards. This is where it all began, back in the 17th century, and their leotard designs, even back in 1968, remained an inspiration, particularly the gorgeous “Romantic Era” long-sleeved leotard that would become so fashionable in the years that followed.
The Dance World is Buzzing
1968 was a year that brought exciting change to the dance world. Across the Atlantic, in New York City, a dynamic Merce Cunningham was pushing the boundaries with his groundbreaking, experimental choreography. And across the world, from the glittering stages of Paris to the captivating theatres of Moscow, ballet dancers embraced new dance styles, often choosing stretchy, form-fitting leotards with an almost second-skin fit - it was truly a modern age for dancewear.
Taking Inspiration from the Street
From my time travel, I found the influence of street fashion on the dance world in 1968 simply couldn't be ignored. Remember the mini-skirt craze? Well, it spilled over into the world of leotards! Think short, sleek, and utterly confident - just as bold as a Twiggy pose on the front of Vogue magazine.
Back home in Derbyshire, we always knew that our dance fashions were quite ahead of the curve, so I was particularly delighted to see the new crop-top and skinny-legged leotards (all the rage for 1968) hitting the shops back in my time. The Derbyshire countryside was ready for a dance revolution - all those local dance competitions just got that little bit more ‘oh la la' with the arrival of these amazing leotard trends.
Dancing through History - The Magical Leotard
What was so fantastic about the leotard fashion of 1968 was that it didn’t follow one rigid, narrow, formula. The dancers weren't limited! They weren’t restricted by one strict, outdated fashion. No, no, they celebrated diversity! There were so many looks, from the most delicate to the most dynamic! A multitude of colours, a symphony of textures, and such bold experimentation - it was a beautiful explosion of self-expression in dancewear!
Think about it – how many other clothing garments could have possibly been so influential in such an incredible variety of settings and genres? It’s truly a universal piece, one that seamlessly transitions from stage to street and back again - a perfect fashion chameleon for a dance-obsessed world.
I am also eternally grateful for the history-changing invention of the new-wave dance shoes – a sleek, contemporary ballet shoe, crafted for comfort and support (no more tight-fitting satin and flimsy construction - hooray!) They were truly a triumph for all dancers – we were free! Imagine the excitement! No wonder the dance floor became a magical playground.
Pink-tutu Shopping Spree - Where Did We Get These Styles?
After all that historical investigation, I was eager to update my own personal wardrobe! I was, of course, heading to Lilly's Dancewear in Soho - they had the coolest selection of leotards around – think bold, stylish, and ready to party! And I was also quite intrigued by their range of fabulous pink tulle tutus. Maybe I’ll add a brand new tutu to my own dancewear collection - a girl can never have too many, can she?
I’m off for a quick street ballet performance in a fabulous, vintage leotard, then, on to another era! Remember darlings, to keep checking this blog for all the very latest, vintage and contemporary leotard fashion. You've gotta' keep spinning those wheels to make this blog the most amazing place for all your leotard inspiration! Remember: Don’t forget to wear pink! You’ll find your way to a brighter world if you wear the right tutu.
Until next month, darling, dance and sparkle.
Emma.
(You can read more on this date in leotard fashion and get Emma's tips on getting everyone in your local community wearing pink tutus by checking out the amazing www.pink-tutu.com!)
