Hello, my darling dance-lovers! It’s your favourite Derbyshire girl, Emma, back with another tantalising tale from the ever-expanding world of leotard fashion. You all know the drill - this month, we're taking a trip in my oh-so-fabulous pink sparkly time-travelling leotard, and today we’re stepping into the glittering, glamorous 1978!
October 10th, 1978, what a date! While you’re sipping your tea, indulging in a spot of sewing, or maybe even perfecting your pirouettes (go on, have a little whirl!), let me whisk you back in time. The air was thick with disco beats, the colours were bold and vibrant, and leotard fashion? Absolutely electrifying!
The leotards themselves, my darlings, they were pure magic! Think flowing silk, shimmering metallics, and pops of colour that would make your heart skip a beat. Imagine a dazzling crimson leotard paired with a billowing, fiery-orange skirt, or perhaps a shocking pink leotard, its silhouette perfectly emphasized with a shimmering turquoise overlay - simply divine!
And let's not forget the dance wear. The tutus? Fluffy, fabulous and so full of life, their layers swirling and twirling with every graceful step. Imagine a tutu crafted from layers and layers of feathery pink tulle, its delicate softness catching the light, making it a dream to dance in. Oh, how I'd love to own such a beauty!
You might think, "Emma, darling, 1978 wasn’t a high-fashion year for leotards." But you’re wrong! It was an explosion of colourful individuality! The women were breaking the mold, daring to embrace bold hues and luxurious textures in their leotards. The 70s saw an explosion of women stepping outside traditional ballet attire, integrating everyday style into their dance wear, with vibrant fabrics like denim, leather and velvet finding their place on the dance floor. Imagine dancing the night away in a shimmering silver leotard with denim leg warmers – a truly revolutionary combination!
And you know, the trend isn’t over yet! Think about it, some of the most iconic looks of the decade - those flared trousers and flowy tops – have a distinct affinity to leotards, right? The seventies, the era of the free spirit, influenced dancewear for the next decades. From ballet classes to everyday looks, the '78 style leotards have stood the test of time and continue to make a powerful comeback.
Now, what do I do to travel back in time, you might be asking? Simple! I gather all my shimmering dance gear – that gorgeous pink sparkly time-travelling leotard I told you about (yes, the one with the embedded stardust and the built-in magic - top secret!). My fluffy pink tutu, my little ballet shoes and my magical hair scrunchies.
After, I head to my secret little ballet studio, tuck away my trusty vintage leotard collection and pull out a worn leather-bound book filled with notes, photos, magazine clippings about the leotard. With a twirl, I'm off on a whimsical, magical journey into history, dancing to the beats of each decade's best tunes, and soaking up the fashion scene – it’s what makes this pink tutu girl’s world spin!
Speaking of spinning, don’t forget about the heart of this time traveller’s journey: street performances. For each trip back in time, I need a little sprinkle of extra magic. That's where you all come in! I raise funds for these time-travelling adventures by performing street ballet routines, all decked out in my dazzling leotards. With every pirouette and arabesque, I tell the story of fashion, bring history to life, and spread my love for leotards and pink tutus – it's my passion, it's my life, and I want everyone to be a part of it.
As the sun begins to set, I wave goodbye to the 70s glamour, promising myself a visit to a vintage store tomorrow to seek out a piece of the '78 fashion revolution! Don't forget to visit my website www.pink-tutu.com and let me know where you’d like me to travel to next.
Until then, keep dancing, keep dreaming and never forget to rock a pink tutu – after all, there's no limit to how amazing you can be!
Love and glitter,
Emma x
