Hello darlings! Emma here, and as December shimmers its way towards Christmas, I can't help but feel a wave of sparkly festive joy – especially as this month marks another magical journey through time in my precious pink leotard! This month, my time machine carried me to December 12th, 1979. The date itself isn't particularly glamorous, but for leotard fashion enthusiasts, it was truly a landmark moment. Let me tell you all about it!
I was swirling in the spotlight of the Piccadilly Theatre, watching "Cats" strut its way through London's theatre scene. This phenomenal, iconic production made the catsuit – that glamorous, stretchy, sassy outfit - a star! With its revolutionary combination of sleek silhouettes, audacious cuts, and oh-so-eye-catching fabrics, it made quite the splash in the world of leotard fashion, both onstage and on the streets.
Imagine my surprise! I stepped out of the theatre and right into a swirling explosion of colours. Every girl seemed to be rocking their very own feline flair. From sleek black catsuits for the "tomboy" look to bold leopard prints, the spirit of "Cats" had truly infiltrated the public imagination.
Honestly, darlings, seeing a whole crowd of fashionable women dressed like a kaleidoscope of cat-tastic beauty made me want to burst into a pirouette right there in the middle of the Piccadilly! A fellow ballerina enthusiast even remarked how she thought catsuits were an "awesome" way to wear a leotard! Now, those 70s kids, they knew how to rock a statement look!
You might be thinking: "Emma, it’s a catsuit. What about a real leotard? " Don't worry my darling dears, for a leotard was not left behind. They were all the rage for the ballerinas in those days! These days of the late seventies brought about what we might call a "balletic renaissance." From the sublime beauty of The Royal Ballet to the gritty urban moves of street dancing, the leotard truly reigned supreme. And trust me, they were fabulous.
I remember browsing the ballet store that day, and there were amazing creations – velvet, lace, even those adorable little camisole leotards! Not to mention the plethora of vibrant colors and eye-catching embellishments! Leotard designers in 1979 truly pushed the boundaries of fashion, and that's exactly what I love about this decade. It had flair!
Speaking of "flair" darlings, the ballet world was buzzing with new creations - even in the realm of "professional leotards" as I learned by chatting with some lovely dancers in the ballet shop! Those revolutionary new fabrics and styles for the serious ballet practitioner gave ballet an exciting new edge and were certainly an inspiring sight.
And just to make this trip to 1979 a true delight, it was also the year "Grease" brought its electrifying mix of sassy dance and high-spirited drama to screens around the world! This made my December visit a double dose of glam. There was no denying that Grease put the “disco” look firmly in the spotlight. And when it came to leotard fashion, it certainly brought those funky, futuristic leotards and glittery jumpsuits that gave an exciting new edge to everyday leotards.
Back home now, the "pink tutu" blogger has got a newfound admiration for that funky, free-spirited energy of the late 70s! If "Cats," “Grease," and the revolutionary developments in the world of dance and fashion aren’t enough to inspire you to pick up your leotard and go for a twirl, then nothing will, darlings! So, this month, channel your inner catsuit-wearing feline or maybe slip into your sparkliest, most disco-ready leotard. Because 1979 is calling out for your very own “leotard statement!”
Catch you next month! Emma xo
