Hello my dearest fashionistas, welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! Itās your girl, Emma, ready to whisk you away on a delightful time travel journey to a bygone era, where leotard fashion was anything but predictable. Get your tutus prepped, because this month weāre taking a dip into the enchanting 1920s, landing smack-dab on July 7th 1925. This, my darlings, is post number 799 for our blog ā can you believe weāve explored so many exciting epochs of leotard fashion together?
Oh, and you know the drill: it's time to sprinkle a little extra sparkle onto our day by slipping into my trusty time travelling, pink leotard. My outfit's just begging to take a twirl in a vintage setting! Speaking of whichā¦
This monthās travel took a bit more pep in my step ā a double dose of rehearsal before my street performance, and I think all those pirouettes powered up my time-travel spell perfectly. Now, where were weā¦? Ah, yes, July 7th 1925!
What an exhilarating time to be a leotard enthusiast! It's just a whisper before the roaring 1920s come into their own, with the first stirrings of revolutionary fashion making their debut. It's exciting to feel that anticipation, like waiting backstage for the curtain to rise.
The streets, you see, are beginning to simmer with the influence of dancers. Flapper style was just starting to take root ā shorter dresses, sassy bobs, and an altogether more liberating vibe for ladies. It's hard to pinpoint when exactly it started to seep into fashion as a whole, but you can see the influence on this day. And I tell you, my loves, this revolution in comfort ā because letās face it, being able to actually move in your clothing was radical for the times ā is reflected in leotard fashion too.
* Leotards as We Know Them Were Only Just Being Born*
In this decade, the word "leotard" is starting to emerge in a more modern, familiar context. Prior to this, a leotard meant something entirely different - more about equestrian garb, you see. It's a bit of a transformation story. Just think of the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly! Imagine: something purely utilitarian being metamorphosed into a graceful garment embraced by both performance and fashion. I wonder, will leotards one day have a place on catwalks in our future, hmm? I dare to dream, dearies!
*It's All About the Silhouette - And Who Better Than the Stars Themselves! *
You may be picturing the āleotardā of 1925 looking different to the fitted body-hugging style we think of today, but those of us with a passion for vintage dance fashion will recognize a definite influence here. The key thing in this eraās fashion ā from street-style to leotard style ā was all about silhouette, and there were key designers truly shaping the narrative:
1. Madame Paulette: Hereās a name you should really start to recognize in the world of dance history. Sheās the one who helped push dancewear ā and leotards in particular ā into this era's aesthetic. Iām thinking long lines, body-skimming fits, that compliment the form instead of hugging it too tightly. Think graceful, elegant lines. Youāll spot them on ballerinas and on fashionable women taking afternoon tea alike, showing a true trend that moves between different spaces, just like me and my little pink time-traveling tutu!
2. Gabrielle RĆ©jane: Youāll recognize the name from my other posts on leotard history, darling. This lady was absolutely pivotal in early dance-wear design ā if you are wearing a modern day dance-wear top that goes a little way up the back of your neck, it's very well likely inspired by her creations! This year, she introduced a super chic ensemble ā a sleek bodice, and fitted leggins - a beautiful example of the move towards functional, modern styles. Now, these ensembles might be a tad more suited for the stage than a high street jaunt, but those sleek lines have most definitely seeped into our 1925 street fashion ā you'll spot these sleek, form-hugging aesthetics in a tangerine gown here, or a skirt with a bit of a sporty flare there. Itās the dawn of the silhouette that truly defines our 1920s aesthetic ā in every fashion sense.
3. Madeleine Ciocci: For the ultimate in leotard trends this year, Iāve gotta highlight the elegant ensembles by Madeleine Ciocci! Her name will forever be connected with some of the most elegant and luxurious garments, in every shade of cream and pink, with intricate stitching and shimmering lace ā I just died for it. If I'd known she was so in vogue, Iād have made a stop for a private viewing at her atelier in Paris. Oh my!
Now, let's fast forward to my first visit to the theatre! The most impressive part, for me at least, was the feeling of excitement surrounding the whole production - it wasn't just about the performance, it was the whole experience. You couldnāt have stepped into a more decadent setting if you tried. Imagine this: sparkling lights on velvet drapes, gilded detailing in the lobby, and all that plush seating with everyone decked out in their finest clothesā¦ I just wanted to stay and experience it all! I couldnāt go without snagging some of the theatre programs thoughā¦ itās fascinating how much attention was placed on designing the programme itself. Weāre talking art deco graphics, stunning illustrations ā and an emphasis on making the entire night into a visually immersive experience, my darlings!
*A Glimpse of the Fashion Stars! *
For this theatre-loving, pink-obsessed tutu ballerina, the stars are always the best source of fashion inspiration. Here's a peek into some of the sartorial stars you may see shining in leotard style (or perhaps more inspired by leotards than the dance-wear itself) :
1. Greta Garbo: Ah, the goddess in grey, an iconic figure of effortless elegance, Garbo made simple sleek dresses a defining style element in fashion and - letās be honest, they also played into her glamorous, almost otherworldly vibe. You might see her in elegant draped silk dress that is very Madame Paulette, or perhaps a little lace trimming like Madeleine Ciocci. Either way, you canāt deny she is a true sartorial inspiration in her own unique, understated way.
2. Louise Brooks: The ultimate, unapologetically bold girl on the scene, Brooks brings the sass and style with bobbed hair and that extra little something ā maybe a drop of glitter, some pearl embellishment, and definitely those perfectly designed gowns! Now, if she wore a leotard today, I bet she'd rock it, no questions asked, with an absolutely killer vibe that reflects the playful but daring aesthetic that ruled her on-screen roles.
3. Clara Bow: If you are looking for glamour, Clara Bow will be your girl! I mean, look at those dresses! * She embodies a dazzling confidence and a definite air of sophistication that goes well beyond the look of any garment. I bet youād see a beautiful velvet gown (and definitely a whole lot of feather embellishmentā¦), maybe even a tulle skirt and a fitted leotard-esque silhouette ā itās how they bring out her vivacious personality, the way they move with her ā itās more about the overall style, the effortlessness of it all, the *carefree sense of selfā¦ I could just imagine the look on her face ā confident, charismatic and utterly captivating.
*It's About More Than Leotards: A Culture of Glamour *
Oh, and one more thing I had to do before returning to our time was catch a musical performance! You see, this decade marked the beginnings of show tunes and music hall performances really finding their place as a mainstay form of entertainment ā and, youāll have guessed itā¦ itās leotard style all the way! Think of Ziegfeld Follies or a Broadway production. If you wanted to be seen as glamorous and stylish, the music hall was the place to be. It was an escape, an experience filled with laughter, a place to forget the everyday troubles. A wonderful world of glittering lights, flamboyant costumes, and the kind of fashion that had that extra something. Remember those feathered accents and sequins we were talking about before? Well, my dearies, those were the main events at the musical hall, creating a breathtaking, colourful spectacle. You couldnāt not catch yourself looking around and just soaking it all in. It felt almost theatrical in a sense, but you weren't just observing a show - you were part of the show, in a sense! I have a feeling that my next blog entry might be a deep dive into music halls. Who knows, I might even go so far as to see if there is some way for us to be part of that extravagant stage world in my next time travel adventure!
*Until Then - Get Your Own Leotard Glamour On *
Time travel in this century was amazingā¦but even if you're not traveling through time yourself, remember that leotard fashion is just as captivating for every single generation You donāt have to jump into a sparkling time travel leotard to feel that same spirit of glamour! You can do your own time traveling from your own comfy corner of the worldā¦ I am talking about embracing the essence of each decadeās fashion - picking out a style, adding some glamour, or finding something from the time period and working it into your modern wardrobe. Whether it's a sleek tulle skirt from a local thrift shop or even some bold embroidery that echoes 1920s fashion trends, youāve got all you need to find your own style, make it your own, and channel the flair of a different time. Remember, I donāt tell you to wear a pink tutu, I just encourage you to get out there and be yourself! And what better way than to try a new silhouette, maybe add a little shimmer to your look, and put some playful steps into your day, huh? Itās my favourite thing to do and I am always on hand to provide you with a few extra hints on my Pink-Tutu website ā a quick hop onto www.pink-tutu.com and youāll find me awaiting!
Stay fabulous, you lovely bunch of style stars, and remember, I'm already planning our next travel date - Stay tuned, dearies, because this adventure has just begun!
See you on the other sideā¦ with an extra twirl!
Emma x
