Hello my dearest Tutu Twirlers! It’s Emma here, back from another incredible adventure in the glorious world of leotards, ready to spill the tea on my latest journey - this time, a little closer to home.
You might think, “Emma, 1970? That's barely ancient history! Why go back so recently?” Well, darling, it was my first trip with a particular mission in mind – to see how my very favourite item of clothing evolved, and the leotard itself is more fascinating than you could ever imagine.
Leotard Fashion Back in the Days of Flower Power & Disco
Before I tell you about the incredible fashion I saw, I need to give you a little peek into my travel wardrobe. For my journey to 1970, I needed something extra special. My sparkly pink, time-travelling leotard was my faithful companion, adorned with shimmering crystals and perfectly fitting for any dance move I decided to throw at the locals! I think I may have inspired a few hip movements and a whole lot of "oohs" and "aahs".
1970 was the year of bright colours, bold patterns, and playful textures, and it definitely reflected in the leotards. While dancers on the stage might have been rocking some pretty dramatic looks, it was actually in street fashion where leotards started appearing with real zest. You know I adore a classic leotard look - but the leotards of 1970 had some bold takes, let me tell you! I spied the most amazing cropped designs paired with A-line skirts in colours like emerald green, vibrant orange, and bright purple. Talk about adding a punch of colour!
And speaking of colour, there was so much of it! Everything from sunflower yellow and fiery orange to turquoise blue and electric pink filled the streets. They paired their bold leotard choices with platform shoes and wide-legged bell bottoms, creating silhouettes that were nothing short of revolutionary.
1970's leotard trends to look out for?
* Prints: I spotted psychedelic prints in wild patterns on both stage and street leotards.
* High-necked leotards: This style, inspired by the athletic wear trend of the 1960s, was perfect for ballet dancers and gymnasts alike, looking chic with both legwarmers and dance tights. I tried it out on a few young ladies with an upcoming competition, and they absolutely loved it. Who knew 50-year-old fashion would look so cool on them?
* The ubiquitous classic black leotard - that classic and versatile piece continued to be a staple in any dancer's wardrobe. In 1970 it was seen with even greater prominence in fashion. This time, paired with oversized sweaters and denim jackets.
*But, darling, remember... * While leotards may have gone through a major resurgence on the streets of 1970, let's not forget its primary purpose – the beautiful, expressive world of dance. I visited a few dance studios to observe classes and I found they were rocking the iconic dancewear leotards that were super chic even back then! Some classics I fell in love with - sleeveless, round-neck and V-neck styles all adorned with those beautiful mesh panel accents. I was transported!
Oh, and have I mentioned my new favourite thing - vintage stores? You'd be surprised how many little gems from that decade you can still find in vintage shops. They offer the most delightful mix of bold colors and styles, bringing back those retro vibes - oh, the joy of finding a leotard that is truly unique!
What was happening in the wider dance world?
You can’t talk about leotard history in 1970 without acknowledging what was happening in the ballet world! It was an exciting time with legendary names like Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn leading the charge in ballet performance, both on the stage and as part of a new generation of dancers and choreographers that helped to revolutionize the look and feel of classical dance. I even bumped into Mikhail Baryshnikov, a young but already talented dancer at this point, preparing for a stunning performance - wow! He really blew me away, I was glued to the performance as if spellbound by a mystical, mythical story unfolding on stage before me.
And what about those beautiful ballerinas? From the gorgeous velvet of their skirts to the soft satin of their leotards, they were nothing short of breath-taking! The ballet outfits from that era showcased such elegance, with soft tulle, luxurious silks, and bold embellishments. And they all had beautiful pink tutus... some pinker than mine!
The leotard in popular culture
And let's not forget that leotards started appearing more in films and TV shows around this time, and were a true fashion icon, reflecting the cultural movements of the era. The most famous example for me has to be Raquel Welch wearing that unforgettable golden leotard in “One Million Years BC”. What an absolute fashion icon she was. I can’t think of another single garment that captures the mood and the excitement of the 1970’s, and the way she wore it just adds to the wonder!
This brings me back to the question: why choose this time period to visit? It was an era that marked a real turning point for the leotard as fashion. Leotards in the 70s transcended their original sporting context, and became the canvas for artistic expression on the street and in performances, just like in today’s street ballet scene, only a bit less… well… sparkly.
The journey home, my friends
The trip back from the 70’s was another great opportunity to put my dance skills to the test in a modern context. After all, one needs to stay in shape to traverse those space-time continuum, don’t you think?
Now, I can't end without sharing a bit about myself and why this travelogue has been a little more meaningful to me than the previous ones: I'm a Derbyshire girl, born and bred. Travelling back to 1970 was a real trip down memory lane, seeing those vibrant colours and trends really brought back memories of my childhood. It’s always heartwarming to discover a bit more about the history of your homeland and its connection to my favourite fashion piece – the leotard!
A Call to Action - Spread the Pink Tutu Love
But hey, that’s not all, my fellow tutu-lovers! 1970 was about exploring the fun and creative aspects of fashion, and pushing boundaries. And it got me thinking. Who says that wearing a leotard in the street should be a taboo? My aim in life is for the world to wear pink tutus. So if you've always wanted to express your inner ballerina on the streets but have been holding back, just remember, be brave and wear your leotard with pride.
So, my fellow tutu-twirlers, that's my tale of my journey to 1970, full of leotard history and inspiration. Join me on my next journey! Stay tuned, I'm going back to the Victorian era! Can't wait to see what those stylish leotard outfits have to offer... Remember to check back for the next post here on www.pink-tutu.com, or come and say hello on social media @PinkTutu!
See you on the other side, and keep twirling! 💖
(Post #1335)
