Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where every month I zip through the ages in my shimmering pink time-traveling leotard! Today, I’m whisking you all back to the glamorous Roaring Twenties – specifically, August 8th, 1922! Can you even imagine?
Now, picture this: it’s a balmy Tuesday in London town, and everyone is abuzz about the latest fashions! The city is abuzz with new-found freedoms – the war has just ended, and women are enjoying a glorious era of change, expressing themselves through dance and, of course, leotards! And darling, let me tell you, leotards are all the rage!
You know, before I left for this trip, I found this fantastic old newspaper article from this exact day. Imagine, back then they only printed one newspaper a day, and the latest gossip went right to press! They were just beginning to mention the wonders of dancewear, so this feels like such a magical little time capsule.
They talked about "dancing frocks" which were starting to appear, and these amazing, daring styles were certainly turning heads. Imagine: one-piece creations made from jersey! And get this – some even had long sleeves! I can't help but think how much these dance frocks are forerunners to our beloved leotards, aren't they?
Anyway, back to my adventures in 1922!
Today I decided to do a little street ballet in Trafalgar Square, right there amongst the heart of the London buzz! Honestly, I was positively giddy with delight. The energy was infectious! I think everyone was a little starstruck. My shimmering pink tutu certainly captured attention! Everyone loved it!
Even the bobby on duty (oh, such charming chap!), told me "a most marvelous sight indeed! Just like a ballerina in the spotlight, even without the stage". I tell you, you should have seen his face – pure wonderment! I gave him a twirl and he had this look of complete adoration on his face. "Such elegance," he breathed! I’ll tell you, I could’ve stayed twirling all day!
Afterwards, I wandered through Piccadilly and down the side of Covent Garden, looking in shop windows full of glittering beads and silk scarves - just perfect for creating fabulous, flapper-inspired tutus! Then, my darling, I came upon a truly enchanting boutique – a real haven for dancers. Oh my goodness!
There were such magnificent designs for leotards on display – they just had this aura of playful femininity and sheer athletic grace about them. Now, these were far from the form-fitting numbers we see today, darling. There was this delightful air of billowing fabric – long flowing sleeves and skirts, all shimmering with jewels!
I tried on one in the most beautiful shade of sapphire – like the sky on a perfect summer’s day – and darling, it just felt magical! I swirled and danced about in it – there's nothing like a good twirl in a beautiful leotard! The silk, the lightness, it just made me feel so free and strong – like I could take on the world!
And you know, in 1922, it wasn't just about the look. Leotards were about celebrating movement. Every twirl, every leap, felt so exhilarating – it felt like I was a part of a thrilling revolution! They were a symbol of a brand new kind of woman, breaking free, expressing herself through her art – so inspiring!
You know, even though these leotards were more billowing and dramatic than we see today, you could still see how designers were exploring new styles. I was enthralled by the combination of bold colours – think crimson and emerald – paired with lavish embellishments! And even then, darling, they were already thinking about how to tailor the shape to accentuate the feminine form. It’s all so exciting!
Then, in the evening, I snagged a ticket to the theatre! Oh, it was simply delightful! The grand opening of a new play – a historical drama that brought all of these grand costumes and sweeping sets to life – truly a feast for the senses! It was the perfect blend of theatre and dancing! And guess what, my dear? Every actress on the stage was sporting a variation of the 'dance frock' in their roles, a real testament to the magic of movement on the stage. It reminded me of how important leotards and dancewear really are, especially in performance!
I took in every detail – the shimmer, the delicate draping of fabrics – even how the stage lights reflected off of the fabrics. It was quite something to witness!
As I headed back to the future, I couldn’t help but ponder – in such a short time, we've come so far with leotards. Now they are as diverse as the dancers themselves – all shapes, all colours, for every kind of performance, and every kind of body!
But what a treat to step back in time and see the beginnings of our beloved leotard – these exciting 'dancing frocks'! They are such a beautiful reminder that dance and style have always been connected – even back in 1922. They’re really our stepping stones, leading us towards the endless possibilities of leotards, tutu and ballet fashion today!
Keep your eyes peeled for my next adventures, darlings! And until then, remember – wear pink, wear a tutu, and spread a little sparkle wherever you go!
See you next month!
Emma xo
