Post 686: February 2nd, 1916 - A Glimpse Into a Century Ago
Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus reign supreme and every day is a magical adventure in leotard fashion. This month, my trusty pink sparkling time travelling leotard whisked me back to February 2nd, 1916. Now, hold onto your tutus, darlings, because you’re in for a treat!
A Leap Back in Time
It was a whirlwind of a journey, arriving in 1916. Stepping off my time machine (ahem, a rather stylish vintage car with an even more stylish pink and white interior, you understand!), the scent of lavender perfume and freshly baked bread tickled my nose. Imagine a world where streetlamps bathed everything in a golden glow, horse-drawn carriages clip-clopped down cobbled streets, and gentlemen tipped their hats to ladies sporting feather boas.
But what really caught my eye, darlings, was the fashion. Forget about your leggings and stretchy fabrics, my dears, 1916 was all about elegance! Imagine fitted, floor-length dresses with layers of tulle and lace, bodices with delicate embroidery, and dainty hats perched atop bouffant hair. Now, don't think I'm against it, the elegance of this era was positively dreamy!
Leotards: A Peek into the Past
However, for me, the real star of the show, is always the leotard, even if it isn’t quite front and center yet! While the focus was certainly on flowing gowns, let's dive into the world of undergarments, my darlings! I spotted women sporting practical and fashionable “Combination Suits" or "Combination Undergarments." Imagine camisoles with long sleeves, paired with a matching petticoat, or perhaps even bloomers. These were the "Leotards" of the day. Imagine the beauty of it all - layers of silk and cotton, flowing and yet practical for those dances and picnics that Victorian ladies favoured. Even the "Combination Suits" were surprisingly elegant, sporting lace or satin trims and ribbons to accentuate a woman's figure.
Now, my dears, I won't lie, my little heart yearned for the vibrant colours and sheer fun of our modern-day leotards, but even these practical undergarments, hidden under their elegant dresses, were a fascinating look into a time gone by. The simple cut and understated yet timeless quality of these "Combination Suits" reminds me, darlings, that fashion, even in its earliest iterations, is all about elegance and practicality combined. It's a journey through time, each era, even the undergarments of the past, teaching us something new about fashion and its evolution.
What Was on in the Leotard World - 1916
In the theatre world, which is where I gravitate towards in every era, the "Ziegfeld Follies" were making waves, a glamorous extravaganza with a plethora of dazzling costumes, feathered headdresses, and yes, my darlings, dance sequences, hinting at the beginning of the era of modern dance as we know it! I had the chance to observe a show in a lavish New York City theatre, and believe me, the elaborate choreography, the playful movements, and the sheer joyous energy on stage, almost reminded me of my own street performances. Imagine, dear readers, performing with graceful yet energetic steps, captivating the audience with the beauty of movement. Now, this might not have been full blown "leotard" attire, but these glamorous, sequined gowns were the first glimpse of the liberation and freedom of movement that modern ballet embraced just a few years later. I wonder, darling, if those gorgeous ladies realised just how much influence their bold performances were to have on dancewear of the future?
I did get a chance to see some of the dance fashion up close though, darlings, in one of London's chic dressmaking establishments! Imagine rows of silk and satin, bobbins of thread, patterns for evening gowns, and my absolute favorite, a "Combination Undergarment" made of the finest silk, laced and sewn with precision! I got to see a little preview of what was trending for dance in the world of fashion.
Time Travelling with Pink-Tutu.com
And now, let me tell you, darling, after experiencing this vibrant snapshot of fashion from a bygone era, I'm ready to whip up something spectacular for my latest show! The glamour, the style, the exquisite grace, it has all inspired me to create my very own homage to the era. Just you wait and see, darlings, the magic I'll conjure up with a dash of 1916 and a whole lot of pink! I'll be sharing the looks soon - join me on www.pink-tutu.com for exclusive behind the scenes glimpses of my newest leotards, a new take on historical style!
In the meantime, darlings, stay fabulous, dance with joy, and let your own inner pink tutu shine!
Until next time,
Emma
