Hello my lovely leotard-loving lot! 🩰💖
It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and September is upon us, which means it's time for another jaunt through history! This month, I'm whisking us back to 1922, a time when leotard fashion was taking exciting leaps and bounds, paving the way for the dazzling looks we see today.
This month, I’m all about exploring the exciting fashion scene of the Roaring Twenties! So buckle up, my dears, as we head back to the world of flappers, jazz, and some seriously stylish leotards.
Now, as you all know, I love a good adventure in my magical time-travelling pink sparkling leotard! I wouldn't trade the feeling of the wind in my hair, the cobblestone streets beneath my toes, and the thrill of being a part of history, all in a perfectly pink tutu, for anything!
So, let's begin our trip! I popped into the magical time-travel portal earlier this morning - a hidden speakeasy behind a bakery in the heart of Derbyshire, which you'll all be pleased to know also served delicious, raspberry filled croissants - and I found myself swept back to a world of dancing jazz bands, glamorous Art Deco buildings and fashion so revolutionary, it felt like I'd stepped into a glamorous dream.
And speaking of glamour, what do you think of this look? (see pic 1 on blog page). Yes, it’s my look for this trip back in time! Isn’t it fabulous? A 1920s take on the traditional pink, a gorgeous deep shade of “rose-mauve” (as the trendy fashion magazines called it), a sleek little bodice and of course a tutu - I decided for a fluffy, shimmering chiffon this time – after all, a true fashionista needs to go with the times! 😉
And that brings me to today’s focus - the Leotard. Oh, my dears, the 1920s were truly a period of innovation when it came to leotard design!
The trend of the decade was streamlined simplicity! Long, flowing lines and sleek, geometric shapes replaced the corseted, voluminous silhouettes of the Victorian era. For my trip back in time I headed straight for the newest leotard store on Fifth Avenue in New York. It was bursting with style! I found gorgeous shimmering leotards with luxurious velvet details – a total upgrade to the old Victorian tights and silk leggings that my dear great-grandmother used to wear when she performed for the queen. (Pic 2 on blog page) These new leotards were all about the feminine silhouette, they showed off every curve of the body with their slinky materials and snug fit, emphasizing a modern, athletic look that was so different to the traditional styles.
And speaking of style, who can forget the flapper look? My goodness, it was revolutionary for women’s fashion! The girls back in those days wore these slinky silk dresses that exposed their knees! And to be absolutely sure everyone was feeling the trend, they sported sparkling, beaded "flapper" fringes that moved and shimmered whenever they danced. The leotard scene followed suit - shimmering embellishments, flowing silk sashes and daring necklines all combined to give that glamorous, dancing-girl flair!
As I sashayed around the streets of 1920s New York I took in all the incredible details of fashion and the exciting era It’s amazing what influence a vibrant new culture and fashion scene can have. Every corner of this dazzling era felt electric with an sense of liberation and playful joy. There were dazzling fashion shows where young dancers, many clad in beautiful, bold, beaded leotards danced in the center of elaborate stages that brought together fashion, art and a beautiful blend of style and theatre.
And then I saw the leotards at the Ballet Russes. Ooh la la, my dears, the iconic Russian ballet company, under the dazzling direction of Sergei Diaghilev, brought modern ballet fashion into the forefront. Their “Ballets Russes”, which fused ballet techniques with a sense of modern avant-garde, was truly dazzling and they showcased leotard design that was simply breathtaking. Their costumes and leotard designs became iconic, breaking the rules of traditional dancewear with luxurious colours, flowing silks, vibrant embellishments and sparkling, daring new designs. They weren’t afraid to take a step away from the norm and introduce something truly new, a little bit different, a bit glamorous and with a hint of drama. ( Pic 3 on blog page). Imagine: luxurious satin, opulent embroidery, shimmering jewels all worked into an intricately woven canvas of performance-ready leotards. It’s a look that, I dare say, inspires many of today’s designs and gives a real insight into the enduring allure of artistic vision in the world of leotard design.
And, speaking of enduring trends, don’t be fooled by thinking leotards from this period are a far cry from modern-day designs. Today, with our sleek dancewear with modern innovations, the 1920s influenced so many design elements in our favourite leotards and costumes – the iconic flowing silhouettes of ballet dresses, the bold statement of the “tutu” for theatrical productions, even the glamorous embellishment trends still shine through in modern design trends - I spotted some seriously dazzling sequins on the leotards at a modern production the other day. I must confess, I almost made a beeline for those gorgeous little details - after all, what’s a modern ballerina without some shimmer and sparkle? 😉
So, my dear leotard loving lot, our adventure back to 1922 truly taught us that fashion is a beautiful, flowing river that never truly ends! Each new decade introduces something exciting and fresh. Every designer draws inspiration from something that came before, which just goes to show, every style and every trend we see is truly part of the story of leotard fashion, an exciting story that continues to be told as each new year unfolds.
Before we say goodbye this month, a few fun facts for your enjoyment! September the 9th in 1922 was an iconic day - it was the birthday of the legendary Marlene Dietrich, who went on to become one of Hollywood's most iconic stars! As a tribute, you can see a beautiful display of Dietrich's fashion from this decade at the MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art in New York), where her iconic costumes - from the golden 1930s and glamorous 1940s – are all the rage!
Until next month my darling lot! Remember, always go for that pink tutu. Let’s embrace life, leotard styles and a little bit of sparkle with a big dose of style and laughter.
Oh! And before I forget, there is an AMAZING new musical running at the Globe Theatre this month and they have beautiful leotards with shimmering black sequins for their lead female cast! I can’t wait to go and see it next week - I'm off to buy some tickets and find a magnificent new black sequin-trimmed leotard to celebrate my upcoming outing to the show. And of course I will bring you all a full report about the designs next month!
Until then, take care and keep shining my gorgeous leotard-loving bunch!
Lots of love,
Emma
Please note This blog is designed to provide a friendly, informal blog about leotard history. It does not pretend to provide specific facts and should be taken as a fun blog rather than a history resource.
