Hello lovely readers, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where we explore the world of dance, fashion, and all things pink! Itās Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina from Derbyshire, back to tell you about another fabulous journey into the past.
Today weāre heading back to March 3rd, 1919, just a few years after the end of the Great War, and the world was starting to breathe a collective sigh of relief, getting back to a more 'normal' life. Youāll not believe what I found out about leotard fashion back then!
Time-travelling in Pink
Now, as always, I journeyed in my trusty time-travelling pink sparkling leotard, a glorious combination of sparkle, sequins, and my signature pink colour! It makes quite a statement, as I am sure you can imagine! I am rather excited about today's adventure, as 1919 feels so close yet so different from today. Letās hop in the TARDIS of fashion and travel back to find out what they were wearing!
Fashion Finds in the Roaring Twenties
When I arrived in London in 1919, I immediately headed for a department store in the bustling heart of the city, eager to soak up the leotard trends of the day. Back then, dancers weren't really sporting what we would now call a classic leotard. There was no such thing as a spandex one piece. Instead, ballet dancers were primarily seen wearing very practical (though admittedly rather frumpy) knee-length cotton undergarments known as ātights.ā Imagine, not a flash of a leg in sight!
However, what really caught my eye was the stunning emergence of colourful dance tunics, which gave a glimpse of a revolution in dancewear just on the horizon. These tunics were flowing and lightweight, constructed from the most gorgeous silks and chiffons. There was one in a magnificent amethyst shade with swirling embroidered embellishments that had my heart pounding. They were, dare I say, utterly captivating! And what is fashion without a bit of drama, darling? I thought of pairing a few of these with my own bespoke sparkly pink tutu - imagine the showstopper on the stage! I also discovered these amazing tunics had an extraordinary historical context. They signified a break from the austerity of the wartime years. This return to vibrancy in colour and style was such an interesting metaphor for the reawakening of the world. It was like the colours of fashion were mirroring the worldās hopeful spirit!
A Time For Tutus
The idea of a ballerinaās tutu had, however, already appeared in 1837 and it was becoming an increasingly important feature of dance fashion in 1919. You see, dear reader, while the designs might have been less intricate, the very concept of a ballerina floating in a shimmering skirt was just beginning to ignite imaginations. And imagine my joy when I found that the term ātutuā was, and still is, a ballet term of French origin, for you see, there are few things I love more than a good, perfectly poised pirouette on a Parisian stage!
On a Dance Floor in the 1920s
I must tell you about a brilliant party I attended last night in 1919! I wandered into this incredible jazz club, overflowing with an electrifying atmosphere and the most exciting band playing the hottest dance music I've ever heard. All the glamorous girls were twirling and whirling in their knee-length dresses - imagine the skirts swishing! Everyone was dancing like there was no tomorrow. You know, my sweet reader, even if I havenāt got my pink tutu on, I can still imagine a ballerina in my favourite outfit on that dance floor! And maybe a pink-sparkling leotard under that swishy dress!
Now, that's just a taste of my adventure on March 3rd, 1919. But, my darlings, thereās much more to explore - a dance exhibition at Sadler's Wells Theatre, and a new shop opening showcasing a collection of absolutely divine leotard and tutu designs, each piece made from silk and chiffon! (It all seems so ethereal and poetic in my mind!) And guess what? I also picked up the most fantastic book, "The Art of Ballet", and now Iām learning a bit about how the art of dance evolved. I am thrilled, dear readers, to report that ballet in 1919 was full of creativity, experimentation, and breathtaking performance.
Time-Travelling Tutus
Youāll have to check back with Pink Tutu Travels next month when I will reveal all my findings! There's so much more to discover about dance fashion in the early 20th century - but remember, my purpose in life, darling, is to encourage each and every one of you to embrace the beauty of a pink tutu. You are so much more beautiful when you twirl! And don't forget to join me at my street performances - you'll find me there each week at the Derbyshire market, entertaining with all the magic and sparkle of pink tutus!
Happy twirling, and donāt forget to share your leotard love stories with us on www.pink-tutu.com.
With pinkest love,
Emma
Leotard Fashion Updates - 3rd March 1919From Cotton to Chic: Ballet dancers in the 1920s would find themselves moving from the basic cotton undergarments towards something far more captivating. As you know, dear reader, a shift in fabric always creates a revolution in fashion. The movement in the dance studio was increasingly important as the century moved on and the desire for comfortable, stretchy leotards made them the next stage in ballet fashion!
Tutu Tendencies: Ballet tunics were getting shorter, moving upwards toward the calf, revealing more leg and becoming increasingly daring. While they weren't quite the short and flippy tutus of later decades, they certainly moved away from the full-length skirts and tights that defined previous eras! In my mind, Iām already dancing on stage, my twirls adding to the joy of the art form, every turn a story of my own!
Embrace The Revolution: With every time jump, dear reader, it's clear that there has been a gradual and incredible evolution in the leotard and tutu world, which started to gather pace with the roar of the 1920s. What we take for granted now, this revolutionary change to fashion was a big statement, marking a significant moment of empowerment for women, in both fashion and in society. The ability to move and to create expression, to truly be who you are - in that freedom, darling, we see a reflection of true confidence and femininity.
Sparkle and Shine: Even back then, in the world of leotard and tutu fashion, the ability to make a showstopping entrance, to sparkle and glimmer was incredibly important, especially with the emergence of stage lights. I think the future holds a fabulous collection of sparkling pink leotards and tutus - just wait and see!
The New Silhouette: In my time travelling through the years, it's fascinating to see how leotards became more revealing and the silhouettes started to change. But it is the power and fluidity of a ballerinaās moves that continues to amaze me. There are some exciting changes coming, my dear, just wait! And think about it, darling, as we explore more dance styles, who needs a full length dress? The era of dance-centric clothing was really about to begin.
