Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another whirlwind adventure from the archives of leotard history. Today we’re taking a trip back to February 2nd, 1979. Put on your most sparkly pink tutu (the one with the diamante trim!), grab a cup of your favourite pink drink (my go-to is a strawberry milkshake) and settle in for a story.
My Outfit of the Day
Well, what would a time travel blog be without a peek at the outfit of the day? This month, I'm channeling the '70s. I'm sporting a luscious, hot pink leotard with a scoop neckline and a fabulous side split, showcasing my carefully honed dancer's legs. I paired it with my new 'Glitter Fairy' tutu, all light, soft, and shimmering with a touch of pink tulle. You’ll never believe the treasures I unearthed at a vintage shop last week! The perfect vintage touch, don't you think?
Street Performing my Way to 1979
This month, my trusty, time-travelling leotard, which conveniently has an extra dose of sparkly pink dust on its collar, took me all the way back to a very stylish and, as we shall see, somewhat dramatic, 1979. I started my journey in the heart of my beloved Derbyshire. What’s a pink-loving ballerina to do when waiting for her time-travelling leotard to take her on another escapade? Why, a spot of street performing of course!
1979: A Whirlwind of Leotard Fashion
Okay, I can't talk about a trip through leotard history without discussing the fashions. The seventies, oh my darling! The leotard had become much more than just a training staple, it had evolved into a fashion statement. Think vibrant colours, daring cutouts, and a definite touch of sparkle. I am talking about bold leotards! Think turquoise, lime, sunflower yellow. All of these were paired with bright, expressive, patterned leg warmers, and bold headbands. A fantastic fusion of ballet and street style, really. It’s the disco era, so leotards are all about showing off! I imagine that some of the 70s leotard styles wouldn't pass the contemporary ballet code! I see so many daring, modern styles being born at this time.
My February 2nd, 1979 Adventures: A World Premiere
Let’s rewind! Back in February 1979, I hopped right into the middle of the buzz surrounding a world premiere performance of "The Nutcracker" in Germany, performed by the prestigious Stuttgart Ballet. A big, fabulous, must-see event in the leotard fashion calendar. I was absolutely giddy to see these beautiful performances in such a glorious setting, all that excitement of a world premiere performance. You can imagine the sheer energy from the dancers, the orchestra, the excited audience and my sparkly pink time travel tutu! A symphony of creativity! This performance alone encapsulated everything the 70s leotard was about – freedom of movement, bold colors, and of course, dazzling artistry! The choreography is the star. We all love seeing a great ballet, it brings joy to our souls and feeds our desire to move.
Leotard Love at the Royal Ballet, London
The magical pink dust led me further afield – to the heart of London for another magical ballet encounter, at the Royal Ballet. This year the London season boasted a captivating production of "Giselle" - and what can I say about those iconic tutus! I always say, every tutu deserves its own spotlight! You know what else is super stylish for a romantic and beautiful ballet? It has to be those stunning romantic leg warmers and tights that you often see being worn with "Giselle" costumes. Oh the beauty, it is just like seeing a beautiful painting on stage. Ballet never fails to amaze me, the beauty of the movements, the costumes and of course those majestic tutu!
Let’s Discuss the Pink
Yes, I know what you're thinking, “Emma, you’ve time travelled all the way back to 1979 and there is no sign of pink tutus or leotards. It is true, my friends, but we can always bring some glamour. Don’t despair! Remember that this is the birth of disco! This era gave rise to bright neon colours, even more popular in street fashion than in ballet. We can always find some pink inspiration within a decade of fabulous style, where the line between dancewear and casual fashion became super-stylish and chic.
My pink-tutu-wearing-thoughts for the month.
You know that my absolute motto is, 'pink can make the world a better place'. Maybe next time I will take a little trip back to the beginning of tutus. There's definitely some inspiring leotard history out there to explore. I'm going to see what’s in the ballet diary for next month and see if my time-travelling leotard is ready for its next adventure! If you’d like me to hop through time and find some more interesting leotard stories then just leave a comment! You know what I’m saying?! Just imagine the fun of dressing up, finding a leotard that inspires you and taking a chance on life! Remember – Always be your own beautiful ballerina!
