Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, and today I'm whisking us all back to a truly magical era of leotard fashion, 1913! Now, I'm usually rocking a vibrant pink, but for my travels this time, I donned my dazzling emerald green sparkly time-travel leotard. It was absolutely perfect for slipping through the shimmering seams of time and finding myself amongst the delightful fashions of yesteryear.
Oh, darling, the costumes in 1913! A glorious blend of the old and the new. It was truly fascinating. Remember, ballet as a formal art form was still relatively young. Imagine, 1913 was before the rise of iconic ballet stars like Nijinsky and Pavlova, and just after the explosion of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes! I bet that fashion had so much to do with changing those dance traditions, and today we get a glimpse into what all the fuss was about.
My journey led me straight to the heart of London. You wouldn’t believe how vibrant it was - think horse-drawn carriages, lamplit streets, and oh, so many people dressed in their finest clothes! After hopping off my trusty time-travelling chariot - a beautifully preserved Victorian double-decker bus - I went straight to Covent Garden, the heart of the city’s theatreland. And let me tell you, the opera and ballet shows they were hosting were absolutely spellbinding.
You see, darlings, in 1913, opera singers still dressed with a great deal of formality, their voices were simply heavenly! Imagine velvet gowns, pearl necklaces, and tiaras sparkling under the soft gaslight of the theatre. The singers wore long velvet or silk gowns that were very glamorous. I thought the opera singers had so much elegance in how they carried themselves; truly stunning!
And now, the ballet... Imagine a world before the ‘tutu’ as we know it! Now, ballet was much more theatrical. Instead of the short, puffy skirts that make us twirl so beautifully today, dancers sported longer, flowy garments often incorporating a bit more ‘flowy-ness’, just to make the dancing movements appear longer and more beautiful! It made the choreography so dramatic, as you can imagine. They still used the leotard of course, as that was a relatively recent invention. Think more lace, satin, and elaborate bodices with layers of gauzy fabric, often paired with boots that had small pointed toes for the ‘ballet-type’ looks! It was so inspiring!
And then there was the men's fashion. Men's leotard costumes were simpler – mostly tights that allowed a bit more freedom of movement and were sometimes worn under loose tunic-like tunics in fabrics such as silk, cotton or velvet. It wasn’t all about the ballet, though, dear friends! You know how much I adore theatre. And let me tell you, the musical variety shows, pantomimes, and theatrical extravaganzas taking place in London were as diverse and captivating as anything we see today. I spotted many performers wearing a variety of dance and theatrical styles. I saw acrobatic performers, a trapeze act, clowns, and singers and dancers who looked like fairies, mermaids and even pirates! Some had dazzlingly ornate costumes with jewels, sequins, sparkles and feather boas in a glorious display of creativity.
Of course, a fashion girl like me can’t ignore the wider fashion trends of 1913, and what better way to discover them than to hit the shops? The fashions then were elegant and stylish, full of romantic and feminine touches. Think flapper-inspired dresses, hats with large feathers or extravagant floral detailing, and stylish bloomers! Now, these weren’t quite ‘shorts’ as we know them. More like ‘bloomers’ as they are called! The ‘Bloomers’ fashion was a great deal more baggy and was designed with trousers and often accompanied with a full skirt as they tried to combine the femininity of the Victorian style dress but give more freedom of movement. Some of these bloomers even looked similar to a kind of loose baggy tutu in fabric, especially those that were made with frills. These fashions, in fact, were meant for more adventurous ladies and sportswomen, such as cyclists!
And as for those legendary ‘Bloomers’, I must tell you - they were practically asking to be worn for a street performance! It was the beginning of a revolution for women in terms of being comfortable and practical, yet feminine and fashion forward at the same time! This period of time definitely helped pave the way for dance costumes, for street dancers and performers, for everyone! It’s great to think that the early women in 1913 were finding their own way, making their own choices to push fashion in a new direction – that’s something that will always inspire me, a true celebration of personal expression!
One thing’s for sure, my darlings: the 1913 fashion was an amazing adventure in its own right, an inspiring glimpse into the history of dance, costume and our own personal styles! It shows us that fashion is constantly changing and that we all play a role in pushing boundaries, setting new trends and most importantly - celebrating and expressing our individuality! I loved how they blended both the femininity of Victorian style dresses with freedom of movement through the development of looser trousers. And of course, let’s not forget how essential leotards were for the elegant graceful performances! Now, if you're reading this on your way to the theatre, make sure to notice all the costumes and get inspired, even if you’re just popping to the shop to grab a quick coffee.
Don’t forget to keep shining brightly and always embrace your inner style, my beautiful friends!
With twirls and glitter,
Emma
#P.S. Speaking of expressing your inner style, my lovely readers - it's time for me to ask a most pressing question!
What’s the ONE LEOTARD STYLE YOU simply CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
It could be a sparkling sequined dream, a practical everyday classic, or a comfy piece for your yoga practice. Tell me everything! Share your thoughts in the comments section below and let's create a wonderful ‘Leotard Love-fest’ together! And as always, please do share your own time-travel leotard adventures! If you have been to another decade to visit their dance or leotard trends then leave a comment and join in on the conversation! I cannot wait to read what you have to say!
