Hello my lovely Leotard Lovers! đ©°đ
Itâs Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time, and guess what? This time Iâm absolutely bursting to share my discoveries! August 2002, it was, and let me tell you, this era was a total Leotard Paradise! đ€©
Remember my time travelling leotard, the one that sparkles like a thousand stars? Itâs my trusty steed on every historical adventure. You know me, I just adore those intricate floral embroidery, the frilled details - I was basically glowing when I landed in the late 19th century.
And the Victorian leotard scene? Divine! Think velvet, lace, and a touch ofâŠshall we sayâŠ"restraint" (more on that later). These were leotards that oozed sophistication, made for elegant, flowing movements, ideal for the blossoming world of ballet.
Now, remember, I'm all about bringing a bit of that old-time magic into the modern world, but sometimes you have to embrace the time you're in. You wouldnât catch me in a long-skirted tutu at a modern ballet, would you? đ€«
My first stop in August 2002 was in London, at the heart of the West End. Oh, my dear friends, the leotard game here was on fire! You have to imagine⊠dazzling Broadway shows, shimmering costumes⊠talk about the "sparkle"! From The Phantom of the Opera (the most beautiful chandelier ever, don't you think?) to the sheer artistry of Cats, I felt utterly mesmerized. I just couldn't help myself, I had to bust out a few steps for the tourists! My moves were getting the thumbs up and that famous British "bloody good, love!".
And, just when you think you've seen it all, thereâs the Royal Ballet at the Coliseum, a truly timeless masterpiece. I mean, think about it, these incredible dancers, the sheer precision, the history behind each movement. I can honestly say I stood there for what felt like hours, totally enraptured by every twirl and leap. And the leotard's? Talk about graceful! So elegant and effortlessly stylish!
Back to those Victorian leotards⊠In August 2002, things were all about practicality - just as it is for me today! But of course, in the Victorian age, that meant tight-fitting designs with high necks, lots of sleeves, and not an ounce of cleavage showing! They didnât even dare call it a leotard back then - the Victorian women I met in Derbyshire just called them "undergarments" or âturtlenecksâ if they wanted to sound fancy!
The reason behind that? Well, itâs all about the "Victorian values." It wasnât about displaying skin â it was about being graceful, refined and, of course, modest. I canât help but think itâs kind of lovely, you know, having the freedom to simply be you without worrying about how others perceive you! Thatâs what Iâve found in the past few years of my travelling: I can literally express myself however I want to! đ
But wait! The fun part is, I found out Victoria wasnât all that bad when it came to colour! Yes, it might have been the "black and white" era we know and love from historical films, but those undergarmentsâŠthey really werenât just dull, you know. Think silk and velvet and hints of muted blues, creams, and deep burgundy. Very much a sophisticated palate with some surprising pops of colour! You don't want to forget these little treasures - they are some of my absolute favourites! Theyâre so practical and have some lovely lace touches. The only problem I found? It can be a little hot to wear if youâre busting out some fancy footwork! đ
*Back in 2002, the Leotard scene had taken on a whole new feel. * It wasnât about restriction, it was about functionality! Think super stretchy, sweat-wicking materials (whoâd have thought?!), and a plethora of colour and designs, all about supporting and celebrating the athlete, or even just the "active lifestyle" woman - thatâs what caught my attention in the 2002 August streets. Think leggings, crop tops, even matching skirt-and-top sets! And in some exciting colours, Iâll tell you. Lime green? Sure, why not! It really did seem like everyone was getting ready for the new millennium - it was exciting times!
Then we get to Paris. Now, oh, Paris! Where shall I begin? Talk about an explosion of vibrant creativity. Parisian leotard style? It was all about showcasing beauty, the joy of movement, and let's face it, a sprinkle of chic.
They didnât seem to be too bothered by that old-time restraint. Theyâd embrace a little âdĂ©colletĂ©,â they didn't care. I mean, honestly, who wouldn't? I donât blame them - sometimes a little splash of "pink skin" can look mighty alluring on the dance floor, just ask me!
Remember those long tutus I love? It was all about finding the most glamorous, opulent designs â big, beautiful, and full of character. I got so swept up in the atmosphere that I found myself in a Parisian cafĂ©, completely captivated by a street performer, who just oozed Parisian grace!
From the simple ballet leotards used in the famous OpĂ©ra de Paris, with a little more "exposed" back design that wasn't that typical high Victorian back, to the sleek costumes of *Moulin Rouge, * they truly did it differently in Paris. Oh, I found myself right back at the Moulin Rouge, lost in its historical glory! A vibrant cabaret experience and all the glam I could ever want! A definite treat to see a glimpse of 1900 Paris in this way, in 2002. It had a feeling of almost being transported in time⊠well, maybe I was just wearing my time travelling leotard⊠đ€«
August 2002 - it truly felt like a celebration of movement! Whether in the glittering stages of London's West End, the timeless beauty of the Royal Ballet, the Parisian flair of a street performer or even those quaint old Victorian designs, leotards were showing their sheer elegance in all forms, and I, the pink tutu clad traveler, had front row seats to it all! I wouldnât trade these experiences for anything. Itâs amazing to feel that connection to history, the shared beauty of expression.
My advice to you, dear friends, is to wear what you love, own that moment. Whether you're strutting down the street in a vibrant pink tutu like myself (hint hint! đ) or channeling your inner ballerina, never lose the spark and magic of movement, of creating beauty and memories through our shared love of dance. đ
I'll see you next month for another leotard adventure!
Much love,
Emma
xx
* www.pink-tutu.com *
