Post #1518 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello my lovely tutu-tastic readers! Emma here, back from another dazzling adventure through the swirling, shimmering tapestry of leotard history! 💫 This month, my sparkly pink time-travelling leotard whisked me away to a truly unforgettable day in leotard fashion history: 6th June, 1985! Buckle up, darlings, because this journey was bursting with frills, sequins, and an absolute plethora of pink!
I’m going to be honest – I’m a little obsessed with 1985 fashion. It was the dawn of a bold new era – shoulder pads! Neon! The era of leg warmers! Where leotards took on a truly epic presence, both on and off the stage. And what better time to be a ballerina blogger obsessed with tutus and everything sparkly? 😉
This month’s adventure began in my favourite part of Derbyshire – my darling Mum’s house – where I can still steal my very first leotard from a dusty old trunk in the attic. The perfect pre-travel ritual, don’t you think? You see, I have this unshakable belief that every leotard, no matter how old, has its own magical energy. Like the universe whispering stories from the past, ready to guide me on my journey.
With my mind brimming with excitement, I slipped on my lucky, sparkling pink leotard, the one that sparkles just a little brighter on my time-travelling days, and whispered a quick "whizz, bang, boom!" before… well, I guess you could say the rest was a pink sparkly blur.
And then, bam! I was standing in the heart of London, 1985. The air was electric with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and that distinctively heady scent of hairspray – I simply couldn’t wait to dive into the leotard-filled chaos!
The first stop? Naturally, it had to be the most famous dancewear store in London. You know the one, darlings, where every ballerina from all eras dreamt of stepping inside! I was practically bouncing through the doors, all flutters and anticipation.
You won’t believe the treasures I discovered: leotards of every imaginable hue imaginable! Vibrant neons! Bold, geometric prints! And of course, plenty of darling, classic pink hues for the traditionalists amongst us. I especially fell head over heels for a sleek, black leotard, embellished with rows of shimmering silver sequins, and just a touch of shocking pink piping around the neckline. Now, if that isn’t leotard perfection, I don’t know what is!
My next mission was to soak up the ambiance of the ballet world in 1985. So, of course, a trip to the Royal Opera House was in order! I could barely contain myself. Imagine, a dazzling performance showcasing the very best of ballet dancers in breathtaking leotards and elegant tutus! Every movement was a masterpiece! I must say, the dancers had an impressive sense of dramatic flair! Imagine leotards with giant sleeves! Puffy tulle skirts with contrasting bright pink and royal blue colour palettes – it was positively fabulous!
Later, I found myself in a tiny little cafe, tucked away in the heart of a bustling city market. I just had to stop in for a bite of apple crumble, one of my favourite childhood treats! While I sipped my tea and indulged in some seriously delicious crumbly goodness, I got into a chat with the owner, a delightful old lady named Betty.
She told me she’d been a professional dancer in her younger days and we fell into a long and fascinating discussion about ballet in the '80s! Did you know the fashion world was totally smitten with ballet back then? Leotards weren’t just for the stage, they were taking over fashion runways, clubwear, and even casual wear. Can you imagine, a chic, silky leotard for everyday errands?! I have to admit, I am tempted to bring that fashion trend back, wouldn't you love that?! Betty even confessed that she had a whole collection of leotards, some tucked away in boxes, just like mine, that she’d kept from her dancing days. She was the epitome of vintage charm, a real treat to meet, if you ask me!
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, it was time to head back to my own time, but not before a final splurge in one of London’s coolest boutiques. My darling eyes practically popped out of my head when I spotted a display filled with the most delightful, rainbow-hued tutus – perfectly layered with sparkly leggings and the chicest ballet flats. Talk about tutu perfection!
That was just a peek into my trip to the vibrant 1985 leotard scene. I still dream about that dazzling day. And, of course, a leotard of every style imaginable landed back in my collection – after all, you can never have too many leotards, can you?!
But don’t worry, darling! I’m just getting started. We still have so many more thrilling leotard discoveries to uncover. Keep those eyes peeled for my next post, and make sure to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com – where the world of tutus and leotards never sleeps!
In the meantime, tell me, what’s your favourite leotard era? Do share your favourite leotard finds in the comments below.
And don’t forget to sprinkle some extra pink into your life, darlings!
With love and sequins,
Emma 💖✨
