Post #910: www.pink-tutu.com
Hello, lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away on another dazzling journey through the history of leotards. This month, we're heading back to a Paris shimmering with Art Deco glamour - 10th October 1934, to be precise! My oh my, what a time to be alive… or rather, to be time-travelling, as I always say.
This month, my sparkly pink leotard zipped me straight to the heart of Paris, where I found myself watching a spectacular show at the Moulin Rouge. You see, I am not just a time traveller – I’m a performer, too! I love sharing the joy of dance with the world and it turns out that street performance was rather popular back in the roaring '30s. Imagine: a street bathed in moonlight, a melody winding its way through the air, and me, pirouetting in my pink tutu, drawing smiles and wonder from the Parisian crowd! Let’s just say my sparkly leotard never failed to grab attention!
Speaking of attention, the fashion in Paris was just as fabulous as my street show. The Moulin Rouge dancers were a sight to behold! Their costumes – feather boas, glittering sequins, and daringly short skirts, all on top of tight, sleek leotards that showcased every graceful curve and jump. The leotards were almost skin-tight and a stark contrast to the more "relaxed" leotard styles I was used to from the early 1900s. These dancers were fearless fashionistas, showcasing their leotards and bodies with such confidence and style.
In fact, that bold style was very much in the air during the 1930s! Just think, this was the decade when Mary Quant revolutionised fashion with her short skirts and daring dresses, paving the way for the “youthquake” that swept through the world. And with all that revolution came new styles of leotards. They became much more streamlined and often included dramatic cut-outs and details.
Speaking of which, did you know that the popularity of leotards grew in the 1930s alongside the rise of sports like swimming and gymnastics? Imagine, men's swimming leotards were all the rage, not as the "Speedo" look we're familiar with today but with short legs and longer bodies – I swear I even saw one with a collar and sleeves, oh dear!
However, that doesn't mean that we were left behind. There were all sorts of creative variations on women's leotards: some had long sleeves, others were sleeveless and there were amazing designs that emphasized long, lean lines, very reminiscent of the fashions seen on the runway even today! Just like modern-day ballet costumes, many women's leotards were designed with bold colours – imagine emerald greens, rich reds, and the deep purples favoured by the Hollywood elite!
I, of course, took advantage of the glamour and bought myself the most exquisite pair of gold dancing slippers – the perfect pair to twirl my way around the streets of 1930s Paris, which reminds me – there were so many fabulous shops and stores. Paris has always been a leader in fashion, so you can just imagine how delightful my little leotard shopping spree turned out to be! I got the perfect addition to my travel wardrobe – a beautiful beaded black and cream halter leotard. Oh my, I couldn't resist pairing it with a fabulous feather boa. Now, isn't that simply divine?
After my adventures in Paris, I took a short hop back to Derbyshire, where I used my new leotard in another street ballet performance. Now, back to 2023, I’ve been thinking about this trip quite a bit! Maybe it’s time for a revival of that dazzling, glamorous leotard look! I wonder if I could recreate it with my pink tutu… after all, who needs feathers and sequins when you can add your own sparkle with a good pirouette!
Until next time, remember – there's no style too bold for a pink tutu. I’ll see you next month, darling!
Emma
