Hello, my fellow pink tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger and self-proclaimed time travelling tutu ambassador! Today's date? Well, 12th December 1980!
I’m getting so excited just thinking about this trip, because for this post, I'm slipping on my sparkling pink time-travelling leotard and hurtling backwards to an era dripping in neon brights and bold prints.
Before we dive into this month's leotard delights, let’s catch up on how I’m funding my trips to the past! Well, it's a constant whirl of ballet performances, dazzling tutus and even some cheeky street-side shows. People adore watching a twirling pink tutu take to the cobbled streets, and my trusty donation box always keeps me topped up. I mean, there are more important things in life than a bank account!
Back to the future… or rather, the past…You know I can't leave for a trip without a new tutu, so I headed straight to the lovely Tutus of Time, my favourite vintage leotard and tutu boutique here in Derby. They really have the best selection for someone with a pink-tinted vision of leotard loveliness!
This month, I opted for a super-swishy tutu, all frothy layers of pastel pink tulle with an intricate hand-painted silver floral motif. The key is to have a tutu that's bold enough to stand out in any era. And you know me, I wouldn't dare to go travelling in a boring tutu!
So, there I was, ready for a time-jump in my magical pink leotard! Suddenly, there’s a flash of glitter, a puff of pink tulle, and poof – we're here in the 1980s. The air vibrates with synthpop, and a glorious wave of neon washes over me. I've got my time travelling leotard on, and I’m ready to get lost in the dazzling world of 80s leotard fashion!
The 80s: A world of colour and movement!Let's face it, the 80s were the golden era of colourful, over-the-top fashion - and leotards were no exception. The styles were big, bold and bursting with creativity! Think: bright geometric patterns, playful colours and lots of neon.
Here’s a sneak peek of the leotards making headlines on 12th December 1980!
Leotards with frills and ruffles! The more ruffles, the better! Remember that layered, feminine aesthetic? Well, it was all about embracing those dramatic swishes and graceful, twirling shapes!
Neon brights! From hot pink and shocking orange to electric blue, these colours were literally screaming to be noticed. You just knew the leotards themselves would be grabbing attention - and for the bolder dancers, it’s all about colour, colour, colour! The brighter, the better, the more attention you grab! A touch of pink in my hair wouldn’t go amiss either…
Prints on prints! Oh boy, it was a clash of patterns everywhere. Geometric designs, abstract motifs, even animal prints found their way onto the humble leotard, often in shocking, high-contrast colours. A bit wild, but honestly, so very 80s!
Mesh panels! This detail gave dancers a unique, sporty look, adding an extra element of transparency. It was about being bold and striking while staying comfortable, stylish and practical, which, for me, is always the ultimate goal!
One of the great things about being here is that it's just about the time of The Greatest American Dance Machine show (yes, it still exists!). Now, you know I love to catch a show when I time travel, and I wouldn’t miss this for the world!
From the 80s: The Greatest American Dance Machine (now in its 6th year!) is a weekly musical variety program, with big-time dancers in stylish, colourful leotards. They just ooze the high-energy, fun-loving style of this decade.
Of course, being here wouldn't be complete without exploring the fabulous vintage clothing shops. Imagine all the amazing finds in this wonderland of 80s leotards - you can just feel that energy through the years! The thrill of the hunt is always the most exciting part of the trip.
The 80s truly revolutionised dancewear with its wild colours and fearless experimentation. Leotards went beyond just a functional piece of attire and became fashion statements, brimming with personality and creativity. I love it!
A little taste of 1980!Of course, no time travel is complete without picking up a souvenir. Here in the 80s, the music is all about synthpop and electronic vibes. I managed to snag myself an original pressing of Donna Summer’s "Hot Stuff".
That music’s got my toes tapping - just imagine a sparkling pink tutu bouncing to the beats of that fabulous music - simply fab! What else could a girl ask for in the 80s?
So, my fellow pink tutu lovers, that’s the 80s leotard world in a nutshell! It was all about fun, excitement, and being a little bit daring. It seems that even the past loves a little pink.
Next month, I'll be sharing a few of the amazing finds from this trip. Don’t forget to check out the blog - it’ll be packed full of colourful, 80s-inspired leotard looks. Until then, let's keep rocking that pink tutu!
Happy time travelling,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
