#LeotardHistory during 1984 06 June

Hello darling darlings, and welcome to another sparkly escapade in Pink Tutu Time Travel!

This month, I'm taking you back to the 6th of June 1984. I've been meaning to visit this time for ages, because 1984 is a real fashion flashback for me. We're talking vibrant neon colours, leg warmers galore, and - of course - some serious leotard love! 💖

So, how do I make these magical trips through time? Well, you wouldn't believe it, but it's all thanks to my absolutely fabulous, sparkling pink time-travelling leotard! It’s magic, darling! Just a twirl and a sparkle and poof, I'm off to wherever the Pink Tutu wants to go!

This month, I’ve got my trusty old pink satin ballet shoes on. They might be a bit more worn than usual, because - spoiler alert - today involves lots of dancing! ✨ (You’ll all see what I mean soon…)

Now, without further ado, let's set off to June 1984, shall we?

First stop: the London Royal Ballet. I simply can't travel back in time without checking in on some classical ballet! What was the Royal Ballet showcasing this day, I hear you asking? Why, Romeo and Juliet, of course! How utterly delightful! 🤩

Now, this year marks the tenth anniversary of Rudolf Nureyev’s much loved choreography for the ballet - imagine the fanfare and anticipation in the air! As I watch the elegant, graceful ballet dancers perform in their elegant white tutus, I simply must pay a visit to the costume department. It's a sight to behold. Every detail, from the perfectly matched tulle to the strategically placed pearls on their sleek leotards, is crafted with meticulous care. These ladies, dressed in such exquisite, delicate leotards and tutus, are true ballet ballerinas – so elegant and serene. The detail, the craftsmanship, and the artistry that goes into each and every performance is phenomenal!

I do a quick flit around the building. You know how I like my little dance in new places, and boy, the Covent Garden area is quite a joy! I did think about seeing a show, or even a pop concert, but alas! 1984's world of shows isn’t calling me quite yet!

But wait, what is this? Across the street from Covent Garden, is a magnificent store front adorned with the largest pink tutu imaginable. It's truly awe-inspiring. Why, it must be the 'Leotard Wonderland' of the decade! My heart simply skipped a beat as I entered! This shop is filled to the brim with the most incredible collection of leotards - from the iconic classic dance styles to some absolute stunners, made with all the brightest, boldest fabrics and bold neon colours - pink, blue, lime green, electric purple - everything and anything! I could lose myself for hours in here, and indeed, I do! The '80s, you see, really was the decade of the leotard - and they weren’t just for dance, you know? They’d become quite a common streetwear choice! You could spot women working out in these bright neon delights, strutting their stuff on the street. I love that everyone wore these colourful leotards in the streets; it was an awesome look! I even found one for myself in a shade of neon coral that I simply had to bring home with me - it'll be a real gem in my ever-growing collection! 🤩

Then, it was time to check out some dance fashion news. It turns out the big thing on this 6th June 1984, was all about ‘leggings’. Imagine, darling, leggings - they were everywhere, even being worn on the streets, by some of the world's most fashionable celebrities. You can see how the street styles are influencing dance fashion - and this is an influence I find delightful, truly inspiring.

While the world has embraced leggings now, I have to admit the '80s weren't all about classic sleek, elegant looks. I saw a fair few ridiculous outfits and quite a few questionable fashion choices, too. For example, think of leggings - sometimes paired with frilly tutu’s, but in my humble opinion, with much too much ruffle. This is not always a good look, and quite frankly, a lot of what I saw seemed pretty unwearable and, I'd say, pretty unnecessary. Still, if you want to find something fabulous and unique to wear to a street performance, '80s London really is a treasure of style! It’s all about combining the classic ballet elegance with a bit of fun and extravagance! 🤩

On my journey through '84, I also paid a quick visit to The Royal Ballet School - a truly fantastic place to absorb all the young, aspiring ballerina’s energy. This place truly is a beacon for any dancers starting their journey. What I noticed was a definite increase in diversity of young dancers joining - a very encouraging and refreshing sign! Seeing this has inspired me even further in my mission to get everyone dancing in pink tutus! 💕

But before I head back to my own time, I simply must catch up with the London street dancers. In 1984, hip hop dancing has become a truly iconic scene - all energy, fun and individuality, with lots of street style dance looks being used - all about colour, layers and, you guessed it - the ever so stylish leotards. A definite influence on fashion trends worldwide - just the sort of vibe I’m keen on bringing to the world - with a pink twist of course! 🥰

Well, I could tell you much, much more about my '84 adventures - about all the fabulous vintage dance studios, or the wonderful dancing teachers, but darling, we need to start wrapping up, don't we? After all, my time travel clock is already ticking away... and before I know it, I'll have to be on my way!

I must also get back to training for my next street performance. After all, to fund all this fantastic time travelling, I need to keep my street ballet performances coming, and get the Pink Tutu on show. My latest routine - in my fabulous pink satin tutu and an ‘80s inspired neon leotard - should be perfect for the crowds at Derby's Market Place - my home town. Maybe you’ll see me performing near you soon? I'm keen to share the Pink Tutu with the world and I’d love for you to be part of it! 💖

Until next month, happy twirling! ✨

Emma x