#LeotardHistory during 1970 08 August

Hello, lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveler, Emma, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels. It's the 8th of August 2023, and you know what that means… time to hop back to the past, grab some delicious vintage leotard vibes, and share a bit of what's happening in the exciting world of dancewear. Today, we're travelling all the way back to August 8th, 1970!

I have to admit, this month's journey was a bit different, even for me. You see, August 8th, 1970… it wasn’t particularly filled with massive changes or trends in the world of dance fashion. I'm used to finding those big, flamboyant breakthroughs and then translating them into my modern, pink-tutu-worthy style, but 1970 felt like the world was holding its breath, taking a moment before diving into a new wave of style.

But hey, just because a specific day wasn't bursting with innovation, it doesn’t mean we can’t dive deep and enjoy the beauty of dancewear history! The thrill of discovering where our fashion roots lay, you see? So, let's get our pink tutus swishing and see what the world of leotards looked like on this magical day 53 years ago…

Firstly, darling, picture this: August 8th, 1970. Imagine yourself at the ballet studio. It's a Friday evening. Your teacher has just told you to prepare for next week's performance. You take your beloved, comfy, practical leotard and tie up your ballerina bun in your go-to fashion for class, and feel the comfort of a classic look. It’s familiar, comforting. But there’s a change brewing, something that will make you stand out in the next decade. The late 60s and early 70s are all about simple, functional looks. There isn't a massive influx of the brightly coloured leotards we see in later decades, although some brands are just beginning to incorporate bolder colours, and fabrics that breathe.

You’re also probably working with a lot of black or very dark navy blues, alongside bright, bold pinks, and the classics, like forest green and the very simple white. We're still very much in the classical style, with tights worn on the lower leg to help maintain warmth during class, with minimal, very understated decorative design. Some ballet shoes had coloured ribbons that coordinated with your leotard. But think simple, practical styles - elegance and clean lines, my dear. Think a little "Black Swan," a bit of sleek, timeless fashion!

It is a perfect, and beautiful stage in dance fashion, a little more traditional, perhaps a little stricter, in what would later come to be called the classic look. The simplicity gives rise to some fabulous possibilities for your pink tutu to shine on this date, don’t you think?

You already know I’m never not wearing my pink tutu, my dear, so I am already fully prepared, like any true ballet dancer ready for anything. The 1970’s world was one where dance shoes were very much flat with no extra decorative frills! I chose a plain classic, but pink! Oh, how I love to add the magic to my vintage travels. That is my trademark, is it not? My time machine, of course, has to be my darling pink, sequined leotard that has all my pink-tutu-tastic magic tucked within its layers!

For my footwear, however, I do make an exception and pick a pair of 1970s black leather ballet flats with beautiful little bows.

If I had to, I would have made an extra splash with my hair by styling it like an actual vintage ballerina, but we can't change my naturally bouncy, curly locks. This might also be the perfect opportunity to do what all of us who are madly in love with vintage clothes will have done – gone thrifting for the best 70s look for today's post, right? We could be getting our fabulous, vintage-leotard-loving fashion on at this point. And as always, you know you'll see pictures on my Instagram for all those lovely details.

Tonight, my darling time travellers, is all about theatre! In 1970, theatre had really reached a peak in its level of grandeur. Let’s go to the Royal Opera House in London – I feel we will experience something magnificent!

Tonight, August 8th 1970, Royal Ballet were performing the ballet Les Sylphides – ah, so graceful. The production featured Margot Fonteyn in her role as the Lead Sylph, so it was very much a night not to be missed! Imagine all those ballerinas performing on the stage in their classical dance wear, their tights in soft tones of ivory and black. I would have loved to have been there to see those fabulous dancers performing in all their timeless grace, the incredible costuming. We can’t forget The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow or The Bolshoi Ballet. The Royal Ballet’s popularity at the time just went to show how the theatre was booming in London at the time!

But! I don’t want to forget those street dancers who paved the way for ballet. You know those street dancers are at their prime during this decade. It is, indeed, an iconic period for street performers who would use dance as a way of rebellion, with their bright clothing and freedom of expression. Those are the dancers, and that is the fashion, that are inspiring some of my latest routines, so, my darlings, always remember to be creative with those modern moves! I will continue to include street and theater dancers, for without them, where would our dancing lives be?

So, dear lovelies, that is our August 8th, 1970 dancewear fashion journey wrapped up. 1970 really is all about clean and simple styles, just how I like it sometimes, but also a very powerful period to understand how ballet and dancing moved through time and fashion, don’t you think? Don't forget to browse your vintage clothing stores and to browse online for that authentic vintage style, or maybe some stunning 70s modern-inspired style too!

Oh, darling, we'll be going through those wonderful, pink, timeless days of leotard fashion and all our favourite iconic dances and shows together, so don't forget to join me here every month at www.pink-tutu.com, right here for the next time travel! Remember, with enough practice, even those of us who aren't professionally trained can make it all look wonderfully and effortlessly elegant. Oh, and we will not let the sparkling pink tutu disappear either, my lovelies! Don’t forget, it’s all about wearing your tutu! Don't be shy, and wear that magical tulle – it’s what’s at the heart of Pink Tutu Time Travels.

Until next time, darling! Keep twirling. And stay pink.

P.S. Be sure to subscribe to my leotard fashion travel blog, here on www.pink-tutu.com, where you can read all my time travel posts from all the wonderful, historic dates, I will keep this your new, fashionable ballet fashion journal.

I love you all!

Emma x