Hello lovelies! 🩰 It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here with another instalment of leotard fashion adventures! This month, I've taken a twirl back to August 2008 and let me tell you, the fashion scene was positively sparkling!
Oh, the wonders of time travel! Remember those magical pink sequins on my time-travelling leotard? Well, it wouldn't be a time travel adventure without a little glitz and glamour! My leotard is the ultimate comfy travel companion; I don't even need to pack, it has hidden pockets big enough for all my essentials! My favourite things about it are the way the pink sequins catch the light as I time travel, and that I don't have to worry about looking fabulous at all times, because honestly, isn't a pink-sparkly leotard the ultimate in time travelling style?
Anyway, I was whizzing back to August 2008, and this time, I decided to go on an artistic pilgrimage, right to the heart of the world of leotard fashion! It was such a thrilling adventure. I landed in London, a bustling city pulsating with energy. As always, it was full of creativity, I practically burst into a pirouette at the sheer number of gorgeous dancers flitting through the streets!
My journey started at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I managed to score some tickets to see Swan Lake, an absolute ballet classic! Seeing those swans pirouette with their exquisitely designed tulle tutus was truly breathtaking! It had to be the most iconic leotard look - classic white, so effortlessly elegant! The sheer volume of tulle just added such drama and artistry! It was pure magic, the embodiment of timeless elegance!
Later that month, I caught Giselle, and it was heavenly! I mean, imagine those billowing, soft tulle skirts! They literally swept me away, floating through the air like dreams. It was the embodiment of romanticism and the ethereal, perfectly matched to Giselle's story! And the corps de ballet - it's an absolute joy to watch, each delicate tutu was almost a character of its own in the story! I just love how ballet tells stories through costume design.
Speaking of storytelling, how about The Nutcracker at the Royal Ballet! I literally couldn't stop swooning at the gorgeous red-and-gold costumes, like tiny little Russian dolls, absolutely enchanting, bursting with life! They added a sprinkle of festive cheer, transporting us all to that snowy winter world. My little heart almost burst with Christmas joy!
After a couple of days lost in the wonder of the Royal Ballet, I thought to myself "Self, where is the best place for some shopping?" My instinct told me I was ready for a dose of contemporary ballet.
So, I skipped over to Sadler's Wells Theatre, where the New Adventures ballet company was hosting a showing of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Now, this wasn't your traditional white tutu ballet. No siree, this was a whole different level of leotard style! Matthew Bourne had gone ahead and changed things up! In a brave (and stylish!) move, he had chosen to portray the swans as male dancers - genius!
Their all-black leotards with sensual, form-fitting lines gave the ballet a very different feel, all masculine, sharp and bold. And the feathered detail was the perfect finishing touch, capturing that essence of a swan. It was such a creative interpretation of classic style! And I absolutely adored the way it changed the way we perceive traditional costumes in ballet.
Later that month, I spent the rest of my London stay browsing some top leotard brands. As a self-proclaimed expert on leotard trends, you'd think I'd seen it all - but, oh no, there's always something new waiting around the corner to wow me!
And this time, it was the vibrant colours of 2008. The designers were truly going all out with their palette! I found the hottest pink leotard ever at Pineapple Dance Studios, it was so bright and bold it made my heart sing! And the intricate lace details were absolutely breathtaking! You simply had to look at it to feel a bit more *fabulous! You can’t help but want to get up and dance in it!
Of course, no trip to London would be complete without a visit to Dancewear Solutions. There I fell in love with a leotard by Danskin. The perfect balance between classic elegance and modern flair. The lines were clean, the fabrics were heavenly (that little bit of stretch, it’s everything!), and the colour! A deep, beautiful emerald green! I've never seen such a colour used for a leotard before and it truly captured the spirit of 2008 – confident, bold and dazzling. I couldn’t help but grab it!
I went back to Dancewear Solutions a second time for a different Danskin creation - a deep red leotard, the type that commands attention and really, there are few colours that are quite as captivating. It has that bold, vibrant colour that says I’m confident and ready to conquer the world!
In the world of leotards, 2008 was all about these exciting, unexpected colour combinations. The world was seeing new ways of combining classic shapes with dazzling hues! From delicate lavender to fire-engine red - the leotard world was on fire.
Now, let’s chat about another highlight of this month: the world of street fashion!.
During my explorations, I discovered this amazing little store called "Beyond Retro". Oh my, you won't believe the incredible vintage tutus they had on display!
And, you wouldn’t believe it – there was an entire wall dedicated to tutus. I was overwhelmed! There were ones with layers of shimmering pink, all shades of lilac, bright emerald green, even some silver sequinned numbers! * And what about the tutus themselves? The craftsmanship, the fabrics! Oh my, these pieces were little works of art! I ended up leaving with the most beautiful, pale-blue-grey tulle tutu. It's absolutely vintage perfection!
Of course, no visit to Beyond Retro is complete without popping into their changing rooms! As soon as I started trying on tutus, it was like some magic force was taking control. I think everyone saw that my mission is to spread the joy of tutus – so when you walk through a vintage store, it literally pulls me to those amazing vintage tutus, begging me to dance! And how can I resist the sheer bliss of a perfect twirl?
While I’m on the subject of London’s fabulous shops, you absolutely must take a trip to Liberty, it's one of my all-time favourite shopping spots. Liberty’s iconic design is the quintessential British luxury! Their print fabric creations are to die for! I absolutely fell in love with a delicate pastel floral leotard, which reminded me of all the flower patterns in Liberty London!. And it absolutely took me back to 2008’s love affair with feminine details and intricate patterns! And did I mention the stunning lace detailing on this leotard?!
As I twirled my way back through time, I realized something. In August 2008, there was a truly extraordinary spirit of experimentation. Leotard designers, stylists, and dancers embraced colour and new interpretations, bringing about a new wave of confidence and individuality to the world of dance. This month truly gave me the inspiration I needed! I want to challenge all of you to find that one element in the history of leotard fashion that inspires you! It doesn't have to be one thing it can be many! And be confident, creative and remember a leotard is more than a leotard, it’s a feeling, so always be brave and go out and embrace those exciting details!
Well, darling loves, I must rush off now! But don't forget, your pink-tutu girl is here to keep sharing those leotard fashion stories! I can't wait to hear your own leotard adventures too! Do let me know! In the meantime, let your tutu twirls sparkle and shimmer! Remember, always stay radiant, always be fabulous, always wear pink tutus! Until next time, darlings! 🩰❤️
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
