Hey lovelies! Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-clad time traveler, ready to whisk you back to the neon-soaked, shoulder-padded decade that is the 1980s! November 11th, 1987, to be exact, the day my little time machine, affectionately named "Sparkles," landed me right in the heart of leotard fashion history! As you know, I'm a gal who loves a good time travel, and this particular journey took me to the heart of a style revolution!
This month, we're talking all about the leotard evolution of the '80s, a decade that practically screamed for color, flair, and just a hint of, shall we say, 'radical' – in the best way possible, of course.
Let me tell you, arriving in 1987 was like stepping onto the set of a Michael Jackson video, complete with dazzling costumes and dance moves that were both energetic and mesmerizing! But hold on to your tutus, my darlings, because things are about to get truly fabulous.
Neon Was My Muse:
The moment I stepped into this electric decade, the sheer power of neon hit me like a tidal wave! Forget the muted pastels of the earlier decades, neon colours were all the rage! Pink, lime green, bright orange, electric blue – think all the vibrant hues that could make a rave party jealous. I even saw some brave souls sporting bold, neon prints!
Leotard Love of the '80s:
What’s a trip to the '80s without a little leotard love? This is the era of high necklines, daring cutouts, and plenty of elastic – you’ve heard the phrase "The tighter the better,” well, it truly applied in the leotard game! Think vibrant, single-color leotards, accented with contrasting mesh panels and perhaps even a ruffle or two – all meticulously tailored to accentuate that fierce dancer's body.
But Where Did My Tutu Fit In?
Now, my darlings, as much as I love exploring new trends, I couldn’t ditch the classic tutu. But I needed to adapt to the 80s vibe. Thankfully, tutus were in, albeit with a bit of a makeover.
Think short, structured tutus, paired with matching leg warmers - oh, how I love a good leg warmer! And of course, we cannot forget the ever-so-slightly daring thigh-high stockings – in neon hues, of course. It seems my passion for tutus isn't just a timeless fascination! They truly are a constant across the decades.
A Little Bit of '80s Flair:
Where did I even begin with this look, darlings? My new '80s pink leotard, complete with bright yellow piping around the edges. I was channeling Madonna, in the best way possible. A dazzling leotard was not complete without a good splash of glitter! And don’t forget the hair. It was high volume, a teased pompadour, the whole works. Let’s not forget a splash of eye shadow – think bold hues that screamed "I’m a fashion queen, let me hear you roar!”
I spent hours watching local Derbyshire street performers rock out the 80s look, taking notes for my own street dance performance, which I’m excited to announce will take place this Saturday at The Market Square! I’m thinking neon pink, sequins and maybe even a daring dance move or two, just for good measure!
Dance Show Extravaganza!
This week I even scored a ticket to a live performance of “42nd Street,” a dazzling Broadway production celebrating everything '80s. From the dance sequences to the glamorous costumes – all meticulously choreographed, the night was a whirlwind of dazzling talent. It inspired me to create my own 80s themed dance routine for my next street performance!
And I’ll Leave You With This…
If you're looking for an outfit to celebrate everything fabulous from this electrifying era, don’t hesitate to unleash your inner fashionista, grab yourself a leotard and let your style sing! Oh, and my darling dancers, don’t forget those tutus!
Happy dancing!
Lots of love, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
