Hello my gorgeous glitter-bugs! Emma here, and I’m SO excited to take you on another adventure in leotard fashion history, because November 11th, 1930 was a date overflowing with sparkling, sassy leotard delights! As you know, my love affair with the history of this amazing garment knows no bounds – it’s truly a voyage through the decades!
Oh, and remember, this is blog post number 863 on my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, where my sparkly pink leotard takes me on dazzling journeys through time! Every month I shimmy, spin, and tell you all about the wonders I've discovered in the world of leotard fashion, and what else is there in this life? Just me, my tutu, and the timeless beauty of the leotard!
I started my career dancing on the cobbled streets of Derbyshire, and while that is my absolute favourite way to make a living, I've managed to snag enough tips for a wee bit of travelling in my magical pink leotard! Now, just you wait until you hear about the outfit! I'll fill you in on that soon enough, but first – the amazing trip back in time...
So, back in November 1930, you might not be thinking "leotard heaven!" but trust me, darling, there were some truly spectacular leotard stories happening across the world on that November 11th, and guess who got a front row seat?! Yep, that’s right, yours truly in a cloud of sparkly pink – even a trip to the past can't diminish the pink factor!
This time around, my leotard shimmered in a new hue! Imagine sparkly pale pink with the most dainty, delicate beading swirling all over, like a galaxy on my body! Imagine a beautiful, almost silvery shimmer – simply heavenly for the historical backdrops, you know? Plus, it had a fabulous peplum at the hips! We must, of course, ensure maximum feminine charm, mustn’t we? My travelling tutu is pink, but in 1930s style - with soft feathers and a hint of pearl embellishment – totally dreamy, right?
I don't know what kind of magical whirlwind of a ride awaits me next – maybe we'll have a waltz with Marie Curie in 1934, maybe I'll get to see a show in the West End with Gracie Fields in the late 30s… anything is possible with my special leotard! But let me tell you, darling, even for the seasoned time traveller, 1930 offered a whirlwind of fashion fun!
Where Was the Magic of 1930 Leotard Fashion Happening?
I zipped through to three continents! It’s quite a whirl – even if my leotard has amazing technology behind it.
- London, the heart of theatre and leotard-fabulousness: My first stop was a glittering show on stage in London’s West End! There was a brand new musical hitting the boards that was ALL about leotards – what a joy to catch this. “The Leotard Ballet” was the title, oh my, the colours! It featured a cast of beautiful dancers – in glorious flowing gowns during the stage-struck love scenes, and they shimmered, danced, and captivated audiences with breathtaking elegance in their exquisite leotards during the rest of the show! There were some fabulous, jewel toned, and vibrant numbers! Some of the leotards had long sleeves and fitted with sheer black net!
It's quite the statement piece – so in keeping with that 1930s style. Oh, I think my personal style is leaning more to the 1950s and 60s – but when you think of those early musicals – they are very important to the evolution of the leotard. That glamorous 1930s glamour? Well, it seeped straight into fashion, and definitely impacted stage wear and what people put on when they had to “take it to the stage”. Oh, and don't forget! All those amazing ladies in the chorus line had gorgeous, perfectly-fitted, silk leotards with a soft pink underlay. The most feminine silhouettes, don’t you think? My pink leotard was practically humming along with them!
The Glittering World of Parisian Couture: No leotard pilgrimage would be complete without a journey to Paris. Oh my darling, let me tell you – it was absolute divine! The Parisian dance studios and ballet schools were the centre of it all - fashion and dance entwined! These dance teachers had leotards with this unique style, almost as if the designers were thinking - " how can we use leotard designs to showcase the curves of the female form"! I simply adored the graceful lines and the sophisticated detailing. Even in these dance studios the leotards were as captivating as couture gowns. The fabric was a sensation - delicate yet sturdy silk or cotton with a sheen so beautifully subtle, it reflected the Parisian moonlight
A Journey to Hollywood: From the City of Light to the City of Angels – and let me tell you darling, it didn't disappoint! It was time to shimmy with the glamourpuss film stars in Hollywood! They loved leotards! And oh, those vibrant colors, the exciting cuts! They used them in dance scenes and during the exercise scene in films! One actress, who remains a darling, to this day – she's known for those dancing shoes, but, darling, she always had on her favorite pink leotard, even when she wasn’t filming. The pink of my heart – my favorite colour you know, I simply love that delicate touch, that elegance that makes a woman just bloom – even if it's for that special scene in a glamorous film, or on stage! That's why my time travel mission is to inspire the whole world to wear tutus, oh, and if we're going all out? Pink ones! But let me get back to 1930 in Hollywood. Oh darling, it was absolutely sensational - Hollywood films of that time - those glamorous dance routines! It was leotard heaven – a symphony of fabulous shades and intricate designs. Oh my, that vintage film style... a sheer, gorgeous and luxurious piece of fabric to match the flowing fabrics of those gowns! Even more fabulous in motion, too!
The colours of those 1930s leotards made my pink one feel so glamorous and sparkly. Those emerald green ones... the stunning deep royal blues and burgundy red ones, and a lot of black ones – those 1930s ladies, they sure did know how to use their leotard power, darlings! They always used the most exquisite colors - always beautifully matched with their outfits for dancing in the films, which gave it that ultimate vintage look.
1930 was also the year that my new obsession took hold. It all started with one glamorous actress who appeared in a short film set in Paris – her name was Joan Crawford, and guess what? It involved leotards - Oh darling! And she did it in such style - in her leotard, she shimmered across the dance floor – she even went to a party, dressed as a ballerina and the outfit looked positively magical. I went completely crazy! From that moment on, I was head over heels for that vintage Parisian look – the swirling skirts, the feather embellishments, and oh darling, the dazzling jewellery! I mean, the Parisian ballerina had a very different silhouette to today's ballerina. And guess what - that elegant, feminine figure, oh, and her ballet tutu... and the use of fabric! I can't help but think that those early ballerina leotards were a sort of inspiration for the dancewear, especially the styles that Joan Crawford chose - such a dramatic flair – just perfect for showing off that feminine curve! Oh darling, the styles! They were a little more flowing, a little more dramatic than your typical ballet leotard. There was a hint of flair with ruffles and that gorgeous draped style... those beautiful, full, ballerina skirts...oh, I absolutely adore this vintage Parisian style - It was simply divine, oh, and, that sparkly look of those early vintage leotards inspired me to include a few shimmering embellishments of my own! Oh darling, they are perfect for time travel... because you know how much we need to sparkle for those historical snapshots, right?!
But you're going to have to stay tuned for my Parisian vintage adventure in a future post – it was simply divine, and darling, it wouldn’t be a time travel trip if there wasn't something to find – an iconic leotard item of some kind, of course! Well, after my 1930 trip, I came home and began to explore some 1930s ideas... The first is an all- pink dance leotard in pink silk and I wanted it to be simple. Simple feminine lines and minimal but stunning details! Oh darling, my current mission: A brand-new, soft pink leotard, but this time with a vintage touch – think those exquisite Parisian dancers of the 1930s. I mean who can resist that stunning fabric? Or the beautiful style and that delicate grace. Let's face it, darling, my dancewear and my love of fashion history are pretty entangled... but there’s no such thing as “too much” style, do you agree? I hope you think it’s utterly gorgeous too - It has got to be ready to grace my little stage, you know?
Finding Vintage Style in Modern Leotards:
Now, since we can't all have time-traveling leotards, here’s what you can do – think about those 1930s leotards – and look out for some amazing pieces, which is just a wee bit easier, but it does take more patience - let’s look for that fabulous vintage vibe - like those long, dramatic skirts with a dash of flair – for some Parisian inspired magic! Don't forget, I get some pretty gorgeous looks for those ballet street performances that fund my adventures! We are going for that luxurious look – we are looking for feminine, romantic, and very beautiful styles in the shops and even better if they’re pink, of course! My fashion obsession takes a lot of hard work, and it's no mean feat finding a leotard that’s not only elegant, but also fabulous to wear and move in. But for me, darling, finding vintage style leotards for modern outfits is all part of the fun! And, oh, the colours of the 1930s! I adore it, you know?
Oh darling, I have so many beautiful, and unique leotards for those ballet performances – for me there's so much more than the look – It's all about the feeling of freedom that comes from moving in those beautiful creations - it really feels like you can dance! You know? They can make me feel confident, graceful and simply magical when I am performing... I simply cannot wait to add a glamorous, vintage touch! Think those wonderful flowing silhouettes with dramatic swirls of material – oh, and the dazzling embellishments! There is a certain magic to the vintage style of the leotard, wouldn't you agree? The style evokes elegance, beauty, and strength.
Vintage is for Everyone – Even your Street Performance Looks!
Darling, remember, no one can tell you that you're not worthy of a bit of glitter! Let’s just face it - we are all our very own dancing queens! This look will add that little bit of Parisian romance, you know - think about those beautiful ballerina's of the 1930s! That beautiful swirling movement! A long ballet skirt with drapes, a lovely peplum – or even an embroidery design around the waist, the possibilities are endless! If vintage glamour’s your style – just make it work, right? Just imagine it! Even better when you have to shimmy on the street corner! Darling, if it feels good, it’s going to look fantastic, just do your best to show that stunning silhouette! That 1930s dance leotard – so much more than a vintage vibe, it's just timeless, wouldn’t you say? I will see you all for my next vintage trip!
