Hello my lovelies!
Emma here, your resident pink-tutu wearing time-travelling ballerina, reporting from... wait for it... ANCIENT EGYPT!
Yep, you heard right. This month, my magical pink sparkly leotard has whisked me back to the year 3000 BCE, to witness the sartorial wonders of the Pharaohs themselves! I can't help but feel my pink tutu is rather more daring than anything worn in this era.
Don't worry, my dearest readers, I'm perfectly safe (aside from the occasional encounter with a grumpy-looking scarab beetle) - my magical leotard comes with built-in temporal protections, which thankfully include scorpion repellent. My only problem? Figuring out what on earth to wear when everyone else is wrapped in linen and adorned with elaborate headdresses. Thankfully, pink goes with anything, right?
So, let's talk about leotard fashion in ancient Egypt, shall we?
Honestly, they haven't quite hit the leotard era yet, not in the way we think of it, of course. Men in Egypt back then generally wore loincloths, linen skirts, or nothing at all if they happened to be the king - quite liberating, wouldn't you say?
For women, it was all about linen wraps and long, flowing robes. These outfits were as practical as they were beautiful - light, airy and perfect for the hot Egyptian climate. There was an emphasis on intricate, colourful adornments and jewellery. Think glittering collars, arm bands, anklets and beaded tassels – all adding to a sense of vibrant extravagance that could only come from such a grand civilisation.
As for leotard fashion, I'm sadly having to adapt. My shimmering pink tutu looks almost alien in this setting, but I can’t help but think that I'm planting a seed for future fashion! What would Cleopatra herself have made of it, I wonder? My time-travelling intuition tells me she would have loved it - what's a queen without a good leotard?
Speaking of Cleopatra, what a brilliant woman! Not only was she a fashion icon, rocking everything from dazzling gold necklaces to shimmering emerald eye makeup, but she was also known for her captivating charisma and intelligent rule. Just imagine her doing the splits in a vibrant pink tutu…
But, enough about Egypt, you are here for leotard fashion right? So what’s new in the world of leotards in 2036 09?
Things are getting ever more interesting in the realm of leotard fashion, that’s for sure! We’re still seeing a lot of vibrant colours and interesting cuts, like the “Flow” and “Dazzle” styles. Imagine a leotard that takes the iconic, classic lines of ballet but injects a shot of colour and daring detail, featuring swirling patterns inspired by the stars. And “Dazzle”, is precisely that – imagine an intricately woven, dazzling silver mesh, the fabric itself seems to dance in the light. It’s the perfect look for a dance recital under a starry sky!
Street fashion is really incorporating the leotard look in some fantastic new ways, my dear lovelies. It’s the fusion we have all been waiting for – street-wear and ballerina inspiration in a spectacular package! I spotted a lovely young woman recently in London, who paired a bold, electric blue leotard with an equally striking, fitted, leather jacket. On her feet? A pair of chunky platform sneakers. Talk about sassy! She wore it so well, she had me turning my head - such an awesomely confident way to wear leotards.
Speaking of street style, I’ve been spending a lot of time this month in New York, getting my leotard fix, naturally! A street ballet show in Washington Square Park got my inner fashionista really excited! These young dancers wore leotards adorned with reflective materials, the designs reflecting the changing lights of the surrounding buildings. Talk about urban fashion – it really brought together the dynamic energy of New York city with the elegant power of ballet. It made me long for a performance of my own on a stage where every single person would be rocking a fabulous pink tutu, wouldn't you agree?
And the shows I have been seeing in the West End have been stunningly elegant and breathtakingly graceful! The most wonderful combination of dramatic sets, and beautiful, flowing costumes, everything perfectly executed, every move a statement. Some shows feature dancers wearing sleek, elegant leotards in bold jewel tones - think sapphire blues, emeralds greens and deep burgundy reds, all shimmering and glistening in the stage lighting. The colours just make the whole scene so dramatic and expressive. It’s almost impossible to resist getting up and joining the performers on stage! I mean, can you even imagine how fantastic a performance of The Nutcracker would be with a chorus of dancers all in pink tutus? Just heavenly!
As for myself, my pink tutu is always being adapted to the context. So, while in Egypt I’m currently rocking a version embellished with hieroglyphics. That's right, hieroglyphics, in a soft pastel pink with delicate glitter. I feel rather elegant. It doesn't quite capture the fierce style of my other tutus, but it’s still a bit of a statement - don’t you think? It is about respecting the culture I’m experiencing while still managing to keep things classy and sassy!
My journey continues, as you know. And trust me, my lovelies, every stop on this wondrous timeline is bursting with unique leotard inspiration.
From ancient Egyptian headdresses to futuristic neon lights and futuristic street fashion – the world is our leotard runway.
Until next month, stay fabulous!
And remember: keep dancing!
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
