Hello, darling dears! Itâs Emma here, your fabulous fashionista and resident time-travelling tutu enthusiast, reporting live from... well, let's just say somewhere in 1954. As always, this monthâs trip has me absolutely living for the retro vibes!
This month, dear readers, weâre swirling back to the fabulous fifties. As always, the old pink tutu has transported me safely, as she always does, but this time to the iconic date of 3rd March 1954! Letâs take a peek into the world of drag during this fabulously exciting period in time, shall we?
A Trip Back in Time⊠To a Ballroom!
You know me, darling â I just adore a bit of glamour, a touch of theatre, and of course, some fabulously fierce drag queens. Sadly, 3rd March 1954 doesnât leave much record of drag shows themselves, and it's fair to say the âDâ word wasn't something that was tossed about easily in those days. The 1950s were certainly a period of change for the drag scene, but many queens, particularly in the U.S. were starting to make a mark in the scene in clubs, bars, and especially, at grand old ballrooms, such as the New York Cotillion in Manhattan!
Drag Balls and BallroomingâŠ
Now, you wouldnât find any flamboyant queens wearing pink tutus in these settings back then (though how absolutely iconic would that be?!). Sadly, there was little to no drag theatre or cabaret. Back then, drag balls were a crucial social gathering for the LGBTQ+ community and were considered the hottest place to be. I can only imagine, with that old-school Hollywood glam going on. Ooh darling, you know my fashion sense just canât help but dream up a vintage show with a little Pink Tutu magic, wouldn't it be fab?! The dresses! The glitter! The ballrooming! Now, that's what I call fabulous.
Drag in 1954: The Underground Revolution
The world of drag back then was still quite hidden, but some queens, daring and fabulous souls indeed, were making a name for themselves â especially in America. It wasnât all sequins and smiles though, especially in Europe â there was also a sense of the underground, almost a sub-culture developing. Sadly, it wasnât safe or easy for everyone to come out and perform. However, that's where that inner drag queen, that fire in our soul comes out.
The Drag Balls were all the rage. Just like drag balls today, think of the excitement, the sheer exuberance! The ball was truly a way for queens to create a temporary and safe space for their true selves, all wrapped up in dazzling gowns and sequins! Iâm told they had costume balls back then â I can imagine the fantastic and intricate outfits! Just as todayâs drag scene celebrates so many styles, the ball scene was all about showcasing creativity. These underground gatherings werenât always glamorous, but that just added to their magic. Remember, darling, a fabulous queen thrives, no matter what the surroundings are.
Where Do I Find That Pink Tutu of Your Dreams?
I simply cannot imagine how many years it must have taken for people to start feeling truly confident, comfortable enough to make a mark in such a time of social restrictions. They had to push back! I find it such a lovely reminder that even though those times seem a bit âgreyâ when we think about them in a historical sense, those fabulous queens were bursting with colour. Imagine all the creative costumes â those hidden talents, those glamorous gowns just waiting for their big debut! So you can imagine just how thrilling this time of drag history is for me - just imagine what you can find in the attic. Who knows what hidden fashion treasures your own little piece of drag history holds. We should all embrace the bold, make ourselves stand out from the crowd â that's what I'm here for, after all! And for those of you needing a little extra oomph to make a splash in a vintage costume - you know where to find a pink tutu for every era - itâs always in my online shop - www.pink-tutu.com
Coming UpâŠ
Oh darling, this time-travel trip through the 50s has been fabulous - I had to find a few amazing pink tutus at a vintage clothing shop in New York. Who would have guessed, in this era, it was so easy to grab a piece of true vintage glam? This pink tutu will be a perfect addition to the next fashion show! You'll have to catch it in action at the "Glitter & Grace" Drag Ball, where the music, the lights, and, yes, the tutus are going to be absolutely divine! Until then, I'm off to the grand oleâ ballroom, darling. Remember, my little sweeties, wear those tutus high and proud! This blogâs out, and as they say, the show must go on!
Love and pink tutus always, Emma. xxx
(Post 411. www.pink-tutu.com)
