Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, where the love of dance, leotards, and oh-so-fabulous tutus is our constant! As always, my magical pink, sparkly leotard and I have been hopping through time again. This month, we've landed in a very special spot – May 5th, 1935! Buckle up buttercups, because today’s a real gem, just like a sparkling diamante on a stunning dance costume!
The world is full of incredible dance and leotard fashions from every era – I feel a pang of excitement every time I pack my dance bag for another exciting journey, wondering what wonderful style inspiration awaits.
So, how does May 5th 1935 compare to today, style-wise? Where do we start? Well, imagine – a world without lycra! 😱 This date lands us in an era of silk, satin, and delicate lace, creating elegant, flowing lines in costumes. No Spandex stretch or breathable tech fabric in sight – this is true classic elegance. And whilst today, the athletic look of a sleek leotard is all the rage, in 1935, dance attire was much more whimsical and elaborate, emphasizing the artistry of movement rather than the muscle tone beneath.
Today's street style leans heavily towards athleisure and comfort, and I am certainly a lover of comfort – however, if you told me you'd seen someone in the street sporting a fabulous tulle tutu – even just a simple ballerina-inspired design – you'd have me grinning from ear to ear.
One thing that hasn’t changed though? The absolute joy of a dance show. The magic, the energy, the raw emotion – it truly captivates my soul! Back in 1935, I made a beeline for The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where 'The Bing Boys are Here' was a smashing success, running at full throttle for a very respectable run. The theatre buzzed with excitement for 'Glamour of the Stage' a dance spectacular – so I grabbed a prime spot, front row, center stage.
As the lights dimmed, my imagination went wild! The curtain rose and out pranced the talented *Wendy Toye, an incredibly graceful dancer. * I could tell that the costume designers had put a lot of love and detail into every single piece. The gowns were utterly sumptuous and a visual treat in themselves.
Today, I find that theatrical productions rely a lot more on modern-day leotards. In fact, I often find a street-wear design cleverly adapted for stage use, a lovely example of how dance fashion can blend modern and traditional – a theme that runs like a sparkly thread throughout leotard fashion!
During my time travel, I found myself browsing through magazines showcasing dance fashion from the era. The images captured such glamour – silk leotards were big, draped to emphasize the dancer’s flowing movements. I have to confess, it truly made me consider adding a luxurious, sparkling, silk leotard to my personal collection – just the sort of dazzling garment you could dance in all day and all night. The sheer, fine materials and the hand-stitching were a revelation to behold – craftsmanship from this period was a thing of real beauty, wasn't it, my loves?
Speaking of hand-stitching, my little paws found me a most exquisite silk leotard and tulle tutu on eBay that evening. It's a 1935 treasure, featuring a soft, dreamy pale pink leotard covered in intricately sewn embellishments – so many sparkly rhinestones! The delicate lace on the bodice gives it an air of refined beauty. The accompanying tulle tutu, which flows around the legs in soft layers of the most delicate pink and is trimmed with lace – It is absolutely delightful to twirl in and a timeless gem that embodies that gorgeous classic ballerina look, perfect for a special occasion. If I was in the West End theatre back in the 30s I would certainly be hitting the stage with it – wouldn’t you agree, darlings?
This time travel really opened up my eyes to a rich history of fashion and art. In this era, even street style incorporated more intricate, stylish touches, especially during a balmy evening promenade around London. People took the time to present themselves beautifully! I do believe we can all find something inspiring about that. I often try to inspire my readers to embrace their individuality and find ways to express themselves through their fashion – from finding that perfectly unique vintage piece to creating a daring, modern, street-ready outfit with that sprinkle of ballerina flair.
You see, darlings, our style, our personalities – even the joy of a dance class – all add a sparkle to life! Don't you agree?
Till next month,
Yours truly,
Emma – Pink Tutu Queen xx
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