Post #1563
Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet! Today's adventure is taking us all the way back to 3rd March 1989. Buckle up your ballet shoes, and get ready for a pink tutu filled trip!
This month's leotard adventure is particularly special! I can hardly believe we're hurtling through time again, exploring the exciting world of dance fashion through the ages. The time machine has been humming for hours and oh, is my leotard feeling sparkly tonight. It's all ready for a twirl and a little shimmy! Remember, every pink tutu is a portal to a fantastical world and a celebration of our love for all things dance.
Oh my! Just thinking about March 1989 makes me all tingly inside. That magical date is simply bursting with exciting happenings. This is when leotard fashion took a right turn for the amazing. Can you even imagine a time before mesh fabric and those wonderfully glittery leg warmers? shudders. But that wasn't all that happened.
Remember how much I love going to shows? And 1989 was a fabulous time for performing! Let me spill the beans, darlings: on March 3rd 1989, a fabulous show called Les Misérables hit the stage in the UK for the first time. Can you imagine seeing that in all its glory? Those intricate costumes, the grand stage, and the emotional impact!
Les Mis sparked such a craze for historical and more theatrical fashion, and that was the perfect springboard for the incredible change happening in the leotard scene. Oh my goodness, everyone was sporting bold designs, gorgeous patterns, and absolutely fabulous colours!
Just a quick reminder that those performances aren’t just a source of fashion inspiration, darlings. Remember I'm all about making dreams come true and giving back. That's why I'm making it my mission to spread pink tutu love all around the world. You may have heard it, but it's true, those stunning dance moves I execute for the lovely people in Derbyshire, help fund my time travelling! And it's my way of saying "thank you!" for all the joy dance brings into my life.
Before we head into the time-travelling part of this post, let me fill you in on the world of leotard fashion in the late 1980s. 1989, my dears, was a fabulous year for leotard fashion! It was just getting going as we were seeing these amazing 'dancewear' companies appearing everywhere. Those early styles featured incredible use of contrasting colours and playful details! Remember the fabulous use of bows and ribbons? And of course, the bold use of Lycra and Spandex – can we ever thank them enough for that game-changing material?
What was trending in 1989? Remember those leg warmers, darlings? Whispers Well, they were a little less glamorous back then – some would say ahem, they looked a bit like tube socks! Luckily, that all changed! As the 80's got wilder, those leg warmers became a symbol of dance style! Gasp! Not to be outdone, the leotards became the real statement piece. You could practically choose any colour or pattern, they were so vibrant! And did we see bold patterns? Those bold prints, abstract designs – swoon - I love the vibrant colour and shape contrasts we saw!
There were, of course, different designs available, some companies stuck with simple, classic shapes for leotards and ballet shoes, but even then there were these whisper playful flourishes like extra panels, mesh inserts, or ruffles in fabulous shades! I’m so grateful they never gave up the simple classics. It’s great that every type of dancer had something amazing to wear!
Now, let’s put on my sparkle pink leotard, climb into my time machine and whoosh to 3rd March 1989!
My dears, imagine walking into a dance store… I’m talking the kind of place you’d have seen in a glamorous film from the 80s! Let's go!
The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. It’s hard to describe, just the sound of people discussing and comparing leotards. It was like magic in a beautiful fashion boutique.
Here’s what was happening:
The leotards - wow, were the centre of attention, but all those accessories! Those bold coloured warmers in every shade and every pattern... think glitter, stripes, sequins! The leg warmers, it turns out, came with a new kind of glamour. Oh, and those colourful tutus with ribbons? Every dance studio felt like a party! The mood was fantastically exciting. The future of dance fashion felt bright.
But that’s not all – back then, it wasn't unusual for performers to wear something really, really different! There were performers trying all these different things: adding little bits of lace here, colourful trims there… The fashion felt totally liberating. I would never dream of missing out on all the fun! This was the time when dancers were experimenting, creating looks, breaking down fashion barriers. It felt incredible to witness such incredible creativity in dancewear! I could really see why those late 1980s and early 90s dancers had so much fun dressing for their rehearsals!
That time travel made me realise something. Those fantastic early leotards were made from such creative and colourful materials, often with these unexpected textures – they had such a great use of contrast. You just didn’t know what you were going to find in the next boutique.
And ahem, back then we could definitely find an array of sizes! I love how back then dance wear didn’t necessarily feel so streamlined. It felt really joyful, even for us more mature dance devotees! * Wink wink.*
Of course, fashion never stands still. Fast forward to 2023, and we have amazing progress – I’m delighted by the leaps we’ve taken in quality fabrics, a vast selection of colours, and some gorgeous design features. Those earlier designs though, they taught us to think outside the box!
It was amazing seeing how dance fashion in the late 1980s made such a dramatic impact. From then, the love of bold colours, unusual materials and experimenting with shapes all combined to create an incredible look! Those performers took something as everyday as leotards and really turned it into a form of self-expression! Isn't that a magical thing?
Back to the future!
Remember what I said at the beginning of this post? There’s more to this dance adventure than time travel. I'm all about sharing my passion for dance and all things leotard. That's why I spend so much time making videos, teaching little dancers how to move beautifully! Because I firmly believe that every person can experience the joy of dance in a magical, pink tutu world!
I truly hope this month's adventure, a journey back to the wonderful world of leotard fashion in 1989, inspires you to get twirling in your own pink tutu and discover the exciting world of dance. Let's make every day a celebration of movement, expression and all things fashion.
Until next time darlings, may your twirls be endless!
Love and sparkles,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
PS: Let me know which decade you would love to travel to next time. Share your ideas for my next journey in the comments below!
PPS Remember those videos of me, in my stunning leotard and sparkly pink tutu? Have you seen my latest on Instagram? Don't miss it! Just follow me on www.instagram.com/pinktutuworld !
