Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-travelling leotard aficionado. September has always been a special month for me - it’s my birthday month, of course, and there’s the tantalising promise of crisp autumn air, Halloween looming in the distance and the magic of autumnal ballet performances! This year, however, September has been especially magical. I’ve just returned from an exhilarating journey to the Victorian era - the year 1850, to be precise. I couldn’t resist the allure of exploring the early days of the leotard, when it was just finding its feet, so to speak.
You may be wondering, darling, how I made this magical voyage? It's all thanks to my most treasured possession - my shimmering pink time-travelling leotard! A little sparkly, a little bit glamorous, and all sorts of magical! Whenever I need a touch of vintage leotard inspiration, this leotard whiskles me away to another era.
As I stepped out of my time portal - that's how you time-travelling darlings say it, right? - I found myself in the heart of Victorian London. A gentle rumble of horse-drawn carriages and the scent of wood smoke filled the air. A lady was pedalling down the cobbled street on a rather curious looking velocipede - think bicycle but way more elaborate. A veritable tapestry of bustle skirts, and waistcoats with elegant buttonholes - it was utterly charming, utterly elegant and a sheer sartorial joy!
For my mission, I’d decided on a simple, demure look – a classic pink cotton leotard, beautifully ruffled at the neck and sleeves, teamed with a charming little velvet jacket and a swirling silk skirt in the palest lilac hue.
My first stop? The British Museum. This, I quickly learned, was a cultural haven, filled with incredible treasures, from ancient Greek sculptures to Egyptian sarcophagi. But even here, in this wonderland of history, my eyes kept being drawn back to the clothes, darling. The men were in top hats and coats, the ladies in impossibly long dresses. But what intrigued me was the underwear they were sporting - an intriguing glimpse of the world of fashion beneath the Victorian surface.
While 'leotards' weren't really a thing in 1850, there was this beautiful Victorian concept called the 'combination garment'. Imagine, a wonderfully elaborate, intricately-constructed piece of undergarment - basically the mother of the modern leotard - that acted as a complete underlayer for dresses, with the beginnings of shaping and control built in. Such elegant underlayers were often in silk and satin - luxurious beyond measure!
As the days flew by, I embraced London's delightful Victorian energy, soaking up the era's beauty. My favourite experience was attending a theatrical performance - a dazzling spectacle of singing and dancing in a bright, gas-lit theatre. Imagine: a chorus line of ladies wearing shimmering pale satin ‘combination garments’ beneath their extravagant costumes – they certainly caught my eye!
Now, you're all thinking, Emma, where on earth did you purchase your pink cotton leotard for this escapade? Well, darling, my secret time-travelling trick is I always carry my magical pink leotard - it magically alters itself to fit the times and looks fantastic with any outfit - whether it be an ethereal Grecian tunic, a slinky 20s dress or an 1850s combination garment - trust me it does, my pink leotard always shines!
However, I managed to locate a little shop called ‘The Linen Drapery’ in the heart of London where I bought a wonderful little fabric sample, which was the perfect inspiration for my next handmade leotard creation! Imagine - it’s the first design sketch in the evolution of the leotard. Such excitement!
In the evenings, to top off my explorations, I’d treat myself to some deliciously sweet Victorian fudge at a quaint tea shop tucked away on a quiet street. I'd always sit by the window, people-watching the Londoners go by in all their fine clothes and charming antics.
The food was so deliciously decadent - I even found myself nibbling on some sweet cakes and little buns that looked like little balls of sugared cloud!
By the end of my journey, I was feeling quite Victorianised! A dash of gentility in my movements, a little more 'staying out of sight' at all times (this Victorian thing is surprisingly restrictive!) I am utterly grateful for the glimpse into this most magnificent period of history - the Victorians clearly loved elegance!
Now, darlings, as always, let’s get a little more concrete - and bring this all back to the present. This is September 2010 - the leotard is enjoying its position as the darling of fashion. The current trends are sleek, sporty leotards - all kinds of high tech fabrics, and flattering styles that really show off the curves - they’re so sensational, especially with the recent return to leg warmers and colourful, swirling socks - I have such a huge collection!
The catwalk is filled with amazing looks featuring leotards! They are popping up in all kinds of fabulous designs – from luxurious lace to shimmering silk, and bold, vibrant prints. Leotards, darling, are definitely making their mark on the fashion scene!
That's it from me, darlings! Remember to head over to www.pink-tutu.com and check out my fabulous leotard collection! Until next month, my lovelies, don't forget to always wear a smile - and your own signature pink tutu!
