Hello my beautiful pink-loving followers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your one-stop shop for all things leotard fashion and history! This month's journey takes us back to a very special day in 1986, where we’ll be exploring the vibrant dance world and delving into the leotard trends of that fabulous era. Buckle up, darlings, because we're about to time travel!
As you all know, my favourite thing is spreading the joy of the pink tutu, and this month's journey has been especially delightful! Now, where to start? Let me just tell you – 1986 was truly an explosion of colour and fashion in the world of dance. Leotards, tutus, the whole shebang! Just picture it, vibrant colours, exciting patterns, and a world full of dancers – oh, the inspiration!
Let's kick things off with the biggest story in dance back in 1986, shall we? The Royal Ballet! That's right, those wonderful dancers were on tour, showcasing their stunning talents around the world. Imagine, watching those legendary dancers in their exquisite tutus, swirling and gliding across the stage, every movement a masterpiece.
For my outfit choice, I couldn’t resist slipping on a stunning pink sparkle leotard that I bought for this very occasion. Now, we all know my motto – "A pink tutu makes every day an occasion!" This leotard is a beautiful, shimmery pink – practically exploding with joyous sparkles! A fitting outfit for this momentous day, don’t you think?
Naturally, no dance enthusiast can miss a good show, so I made sure to grab a ticket to watch the iconic Sylvie Guillem perform in a piece that's sure to go down in history – "L'après-midi d'un faune" with Rudolf Nureyev. Imagine, witnessing the raw talent and charisma of those legends – just unforgettable! You simply have to add this to your must-see list if you ever get the chance, my darlings!
You see, the world of dance is all about being bold, daring to push boundaries, and never fearing a little glitter. Just look at the innovative dance outfits of that era, for instance! Remember, dancers of 1986 embraced everything from vibrant neon colours to statement, playful prints – a truly inspiring mix of individuality and classic grace! And let's not forget the iconic leotards with vibrant contrasting panels and fun cut-outs. This is where the world of fashion really starts to get exciting, darlings!
Just before I headed to the theatre, I did a bit of street performance myself – just me, my dazzling pink leotard and my favourite ballerina music! A couple of folks stopped to cheer me on, which made me blush and even happier than usual! I'll admit, it's really amazing being able to share the joy of dance with others like this. Every new face lit up by the magic of movement just fills me with a warmth I can't describe! It reminds me, dear friends, that the power of a good dance and a gorgeous pink tutu is something that truly unites us.
So, what did leotard fashion look like on this glorious 4th of April in 1986? Here are some of the must-have leotard trends from this time period that still inspire me today:
- The Rise of the Rainbow: Leotards, especially those worn in '80s dance competitions, just burst with colour, don’t you think? Imagine yourself in a bold rainbow, from a sunshine yellow leotard to a passionate fiery red one! This was truly a moment for vibrant, eye-catching style in the dance world. I'm thinking some rainbow stripes or even polka dots could look incredible with my favourite pink tutus!
- Prints Are the Key: 1986 loved prints, my darlings! Geometric patterns, animal prints, even colourful swirls – they all had their moment on the stage. The bolder, the better! Now, for a true fashion moment, a bright printed leotard worn with a pink tutu – just brilliant! Just picture the excitement and energy that's generated by those bold prints – a fantastic choice for both class and stage.
- Bold Bows and Ribbons: Ribbons on tutus were just so chic back in the ‘80s. These embellishments added a bit of playfulness and visual delight to every performance. Whether you're talking about a classic ballerina bun adorned with a bright pink ribbon or a colourful ribbon tied around the waist of a sparkling tutu, this trend adds a playful touch to every outfit!
- Accessorize for Elegance: 1986 didn't forget the little details, darling! Imagine those elegant earrings, sparkly bracelets, and the fabulous ballet slippers – every piece a statement of personal style and grace. Even the simple wrist bands and fingerless gloves were trending back then, you know, often sporting those vibrant colours of the 80s! I can’t imagine a pink tutu without a stunning pair of glittery ballet shoes, don't you think?
To celebrate our trip to this special date in 1986, I’ve picked out my top 5 essential dance films, which capture the style of this era so well:
- “Saturday Night Fever” (1977): Even though it predates our journey by 9 years, the disco era’s influence on dancewear is definitely there in 1986! Plus, the legendary costumes in this film are simply incredible – they totally scream 70s style.
- “Fame” (1980): Think of all those inspiring dance scenes, with those dazzling leotards and dynamic tutus, even with all those fun pops of color in their tights. Just spectacular! It's one of my absolute favourite dance movies ever – truly captivating.
- “Staying Alive” (1983): This dance masterpiece – a follow-up to “Saturday Night Fever”, showcasing some sensational dance choreography with more of that eye-catching 80s fashion. And who can resist a little John Travolta dance inspiration?!
- “Dirty Dancing” (1987): Though a bit later than 1986, “Dirty Dancing” features some of the most fun, dance-inspiring scenes of the 80s era. I mean, those ballroom costumes and the bold colours of that era – pure dance fashion brilliance!
- “Flashdance” (1983): Even if you haven't seen it yet, my darlings, do yourself a favour and put it at the top of your watchlist! "Flashdance" perfectly captures the raw passion and energy of the early 80s – a real inspiration for the leotard-loving dance fanatic!
For those of you new to my blog – Pink Tutu Travels, you can find it on www.pink-tutu.com. As a reminder, you can keep up with all my latest adventures by checking back in each month – it's just like getting your monthly dose of dance inspiration! If you have any time-travelling tips for me or leotard trends that you would like me to feature, do reach out to me. I’m a true social butterfly and love hearing your amazing stories!
Right now, I’m busy preparing for a new show here in Derbyshire – a wonderful fundraiser for a local children’s charity! This time, I'm thinking of a sparkling purple leotard paired with a billowing lilac tutu – what do you think, darlings? But you already know me – a touch of pink is always in order!
In the meantime, keep dancing, keep exploring the world of fashion, and don't forget to put on that pink tutu and shine! See you next month!
Emma, xx
