Hello my dearest fellow tutu-lovers! Itâs Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu wearing ballerina extraordinaire, and Iâm so thrilled to be back for my monthly pink-tastic blog post! This month we're jetting off toâŠwell, technically, backwards in time⊠November 1999!
But before we embark on our exciting historical fashion journey, letâs talk about something fabulous â you! You've been absolutely amazing with your support and enthusiastic comments on my last post, "The Enchanting History of the Tutus". Remember that darling en pointe picture I took with the Parisian dancers, right by the Eiffel Tower? It was absolutely magical. They all agreed â the Eiffel Tower looks even more divine with a tutu!
Oh! Speaking of divine, did you catch that sensational street performance of mine last weekend? My sparkly, emerald-green leotard totally stole the show. I could practically feel the cheers all the way from Nottingham! A bit embarrassing actually⊠but that's just my charming British blush đ Speaking of Nottingham, this city always reminds me of Robin Hood â but if you ever see him in a pink tutu, you might want to consider finding a new place to get your arrow fix, darling!
This month, my magical, pink, sparkly time travel leotard is taking me right back to the good olâ days. We're hopping back to the tail-end of the 90s! It's time to go explore the vibrant leotard scene back in November 1999. Buckle up buttercup, it's going to be a truly "leotard-tastic" experience!
(I think we might even find an extra special, surprise leotard at the endâŠ.) wink-wink
Time Traveling Through Leotard Land: November 1999
Fasten your seatbelts, my dear readers, we are officially on the tutu time machine and zooming to 1999. The air crackles with excitement! Remember how back in the '90s we were all sporting those trendy baggy jeans with little baby-tee shirts, the crop tops were all the rage, and platforms seemed to just be... everywhere? The world of leotards in November of 1999 reflected the trends of that fashion-forward time.
There was a wildness in the air! Remember âThe Matrixâ? Neo and Trinity's cool and stylish leather looks seemed to be impacting fashion across the board. And donât forget about those leotards⊠you know, the black, sleek, leather-like numbers that had everyone from dancers to athletes feeling like they could conquer the world. The leotards of that era oozed athleticism and strength, like they were ready for anything!
For ballet, things were slightly more toned down than the sleek leather look! I adore how elegant the traditional ballet leotards from the late '90s look. They are still wonderfully delicate, elegant and graceful but still feature elements that highlight that 90's feel! There was a new trend in colours and patterns as designers were incorporating everything from animal prints to vibrant neon colours and patterns that really reflected the mood of the time! Remember the wonderful 1990's prints! Leopard prints, the swirling snakeskin prints, they were the perfect touch of flair and added a dash of playful glamour to classic leotards. They're so bold and eye-catching, and honestly, that is my absolute favorite look from the entire decade!
And of course, nobody forgot the ultimate leotard accessories of the time! There was that classic leotard paired with legwarmers, with that fabulous ballerina bun on top with ribbons, the scrunchies, those cool neon hairbands - there was so much to love about the leotard style of that era. The '90s were such a fantastic decade for everything leotard-related!
I'm almost convinced I must have been a ballet instructor or dance teacher back then, simply based on my absolute love of those outfits! I love how everything has come full circle in the fashion world; those styles are making a come-back right now. Iâm especially fond of how the ballet aesthetic has become a core style for a lot of those incredible, artistic and chic fashion houses!
Speaking of style and fashion houses, I absolutely had to check out the famous House of Dior! They are truly amazing! You wonât believe what I found, dear readers! A true leotard masterpiece. I must tell you about it in a bit...
The 1999 Leotard Treasure: Dior Does Ballet
But first! letâs go back to November 1999... I decided to check out the famous ThĂ©Ăątre des Champs-ĂlysĂ©es in Paris. Talk about the most spectacular place to get a feel for what was en vogue in the world of dance! And of course, you know I simply had to pop by Palais Garnier to grab a little leotard inspiration â a place steeped in ballet history⊠with a capital B. The famous Ballet de l'OpĂ©ra de Paris are renowned for their iconic costumes! And back in 1999 they were on fire! I must confess⊠it all really was simply divine⊠but it was the House of Diorâs performance I felt truly special!
The iconic fashion house showcased an absolute masterpiece: a shimmering ballet leotard featuring a beautifully designed and intricate pattern in black and pink - an elegant floral-inspired motif - simply breathtaking! Imagine pink blossoms with delicate leaves gracefully swirling around the bodice⊠it truly brought joy to my very soul! The soft and shimmering fabric, in the perfect shade of pink... It all came together as such an ethereal ballet experience.
Youâd think Dior would shy away from the bold colours and trends that were taking over fashion at that time, but they went all out - they embraced those bold and glamorous tones! But their commitment to classic, chic elegance always comes through with a leotard. That beautiful combination is a part of what makes them one of my all-time favourite designers! I was also very excited to discover the leotardâs exquisite detailing â the carefully designed seams and flawless finish that spoke volumes about the craft and artistry behind this incredible garment. You know it's true, the finest ballet costumes are always a collaboration between the artistry of design, and the precision and detail of craftsmanship!
I stood there in awe for quite some time!
And of course⊠because I'm always up for a bit of shopping - I couldn't resist grabbing myself a Dior tutu. It is absolutely heavenly⊠like spun sugar! The colours, the fabric... everything about it is just simply... exquisite!
You know what, dear readers? It was quite an expensive piece but trust me, every cent was worth it! You might even see me wearing it for one of my upcoming performances⊠although that will be tricky in this particular time zone! My new pink-tutu-wearing friends say that âretail therapy' can do wonders for the soul, and after the week I had with time-travel issues - well, it really was a fantastic mood booster!
I think you're ready for my favorite part of these little pink blog posts, now are you? Because after our adventures in history⊠I like to come back to the present day and reflect upon what's making us feel so "leotard-tastic" here and now, in our wonderful little leotard world. I do this at the end of every pink tutu time-travel blog because I love to celebrate everything that makes this leotard era so fabulous! And I want to get you all on board and wearing a pink tutu⊠but thatâs another blog post.
What is the Fashion World Wearing This Month?
Well my lovely readers, it looks like the leotard fashion scene is a glorious melting pot of colours, textures, and styles! Everything from sporty athletic pieces to delicate ballet silhouettes! In the world of street-style fashion, I've been seeing so many interesting ways leotards are being incorporated as fashionable tops and even jumpsuits! I must admit⊠I feel inspired. You know what they say! "Life imitates art," and that little piece of information comes directly from one of the wisest fashion icons out there â Oscar Wilde, no less! I absolutely adore how versatile the humble leotard has become. This little piece of clothing has *truly come a long way in fashion!
Speaking of those artistic houses, Chanel is now releasing leotard designs and there was just such a stunning pink one that just brought a massive âSQUEALâ out of me. It featured gorgeous pastel shades, an amazing texture of velvet fabric that just feels magical and an exquisite feather trim design... I absolutely must buy it, but maybe once the bills are a little less tight after my tripâŠ
The great thing about a classic leotard is its ability to adapt to various styles⊠that wonderful adaptability allows for so much individual expression! It doesnât matter if you prefer your leotard with a vintage feel, or a more modern, athletic look â this beautiful little piece of clothing is perfect for absolutely everyone.
And you know what I love most of all, dear readers? How happy a leotard makes people feel.
So, grab your most glamorous leotard, add your best smile, and get out there!
Love, Emma x
*(Oh, and keep a special look out for that *special surprise leotard...itâs hiding somewhere amongst these words... just sayin'. ;) )*
