Hello my lovely tutu-twirling darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where the only thing more exciting than a twirl is a journey through time in my dazzling pink time-travelling leotard! This month, we’re going back to December 2011, a time of incredible leaps forward in leotard fashion - but also some lovely, vintage reminders of how things used to be.
My trip back to December 2011 was a particularly exciting one! The street performance in front of the Tower of London went splendidly. The crowds loved my new "Tower Twirl" routine - all dramatic poses and elegant spins. My pink tulle tutu practically glowed against the backdrop of the ancient stones. Afterwards, I was lucky enough to grab some lovely sausage rolls and a steaming cup of tea from a friendly stall owner – just what this ballerina needed after all that pirouette-ing!
But the real magic started when I zipped up my time-travelling leotard. This one has tiny sequins that shimmer like starlight. I felt like a real-life fairytale princess.
First stop: The 2011 "Dancewear for Life" exhibition in New York! The energy here was absolutely electric. So many fabulous leotards on display - from classic black with a daring red splash to intricately-patterned creations that were practically works of art! You could practically smell the creativity in the air. This is where leotard designers truly embrace bold colors, shimmering textures and innovative designs! My favourite piece? A leotard shimmering with hand-sewn rhinestones – breathtaking! And while I was there, I took a trip to the local shops – finding some real beauties – some I even wore later for my show at the Broadway Dance Center, which went down a storm.
I then popped across the pond to the 1st London Ballet Gala, which took place on 14th December 2011. The costumes were a mixture of the classic and contemporary! It was an absolute feast for the eyes, a vibrant palette of pink and turquoise, gold and white! One of the highlights was seeing the dancers perform in exquisite new designs from some of the world's most renowned designers. The details were simply divine – feathers, beads, sequins… there was something for everyone to adore!
My next stop was a more intimate, and perhaps surprising, location - a vintage clothing shop in Edinburgh. I found a stunning vintage ballet leotard, all delicate cream silk and soft, fluttering lace, tucked away on a dusty rack. It reminded me that sometimes the most captivating stories are found in the whispers of the past. And while the contemporary designs are spectacular, the vintage finds never cease to enchant. They have that classic charm that always feels relevant, even when trends are constantly evolving.
You know I love the history of leotards! While modern designs are full of colour and innovation, let’s take a little walk through time to understand the foundations. I love learning how dance wear has developed. From the very beginning of ballet, the leotard has been a staple garment. But way back in the 1800s, ballet wasn't about showing off the dancer’s form as much as it is today! Back then, they were typically long and often made from fabrics like velvet or silk. This changed in the late 1800s and early 1900s when the desire for more comfortable and revealing dance wear grew. This allowed the graceful lines of the dancer's body to be truly highlighted.
During the first part of the 20th century, leotards started becoming tighter-fitting and less covered-up. A lot of this was about creating that “streamlined look" which is so important for ballet. In the 1950s and 1960s, the classic leotard came into its own – think soft pinks, bold blues and playful yellows – colors that reflect that playful sense of optimism. Leotard styles began to reflect a more relaxed attitude – think classic colours and playful styles, inspired by the time's booming musical theater scene!
Then came the 1970s – a whole new era of leotard innovation! With Lycra fabrics gaining traction, and a strong fashion shift towards athleticism, designs started embracing stretch and a more comfortable fit.
Looking at how far leotard fashion has come over the last few decades is simply incredible. And, of course, throughout all those periods, we have seen amazing variations of color – with the likes of bright yellow, playful blues, and stunning purple leotards that have left a mark in the dancewear world!
You know I love the colour pink, but the range of leotard designs that exist are what make the world so vibrant! Leotard fashion today is full of amazing innovations - with companies focusing on creating new, high-performance fabrics and stunning, unique patterns! My heart still flutters over a classic black leotard though – the timeless elegance never fades.
The world of dancewear is like a giant playground full of beautiful, creative designs. I love discovering new trends, digging up vintage pieces, and simply appreciating how much style and freedom leotards can bring to every dancer – from the professionals on the world stage to young dancers in the community theatre!
So what about your leotard experience? Have you been inspired by recent designs? Tell me about your favorite leotard! Have you worn something that reminded you of the golden age of ballet, or the more free-flowing looks of the seventies? And tell me – do you own a pink tutu?
You can email me at
Lots of love and sparkle,
Emma xxx
