Hello darlings! It's your favourite time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and welcome to Pink-Tutu.com! It's the first of the month, which means a brand new blog post and another trip back in time! Today, I'm whisking us to July 1936 in my magical pink sparkling leotard, and let me tell you, this was a real treat for the eyes!
Before we embark on our trip, you must know that this blog post was sponsored by a rather lovely collection of antique beaded necklaces from the delightful vintage shop, The Pearl Palace, here in Derbyshire. If youāre looking for unique sparkle and old-fashioned elegance, do give them a visit. They kindly allowed me to wear their treasures for my July 1936 performance. Now, let's set the scene!
London Lights & Dance Hall Dreams
Oh my! Just stepping onto a London street in the roaring 1930s was a sensory explosion! It was an exciting era of flapper dresses, bobbed hair and jazzy dance tunes, and guess what, the leotard was in the thick of it all!
As we arrived at the Empire Theatre in London's West End, I just knew this trip would be a success! Not only did they have the beautiful Melody Maker production of "As Thousands Cheer" - full of dancing, music, and glamour - but the leotard trends were beyond sensational!
Tutus and Tails
Oh, those classic tutus! Not your modern-day multi-layered meringue wonders, these tutus had that "effortless elegance" - shorter, but so perfectly streamlined! And with such a variety, too! They came in gorgeous silky colours like ivory and shimmering silver, accented with fluffy feathers, sequins, or delicate beading. Honestly, you could get lost in the sparkle alone!
And the leotards! They werenāt the full-bodied beauties you find in contemporary ballet classes, but there were still amazing variations. They clung to the body beautifully, made of soft jersey, satin, or velvet, some even embellished with tulle overlays! But you'd usually find them paired with skirts - think dramatic flowing chiffon or crisp taffeta. It was an elegant way of combining the practical and the stylish.
Ballroom Blast!
A must-do in 1936 was taking a trip to the local ballroom, and darling, let me tell you, those leotards were fantastic! We are talking sheer elegance in satiny pastels, like seafoam green or lavender, with accents of black ribbon or tiny silver sequins. Imagine the grace and style with these delicate fabrics against a wood-panelled ballroom backdrop, swaying to the rhythm of a vintage big band. Pure joy!
And the real surprise? Ballroom dancing wasn't just about the steps. It was about the outfits too, and ladies, that included the leotard! Remember, ballroom dance in the 1930s meant flapper-inspired short skirts, silky dance pants, and even little tops, with just a peek of a leotardās shimmer under those fabulous layers. Now, isnāt that chic?
A Dance Fashion Tour: From Theatre to Street!
Let's take a peek beyond the theatre for a moment, as a fashionable ballerina's trip can't be just about stage shows. A real fashion fanatic (like myself) must soak up every bit of a place, so off we went to find the pulse of street fashion!
We stepped into the heart of the Bloomsbury art scene where there was so much colour, creativity, and yes, the leotard! We even stumbled upon a little, exclusive dance studio run by a lovely lady called "Miss B." They were running "free-style" classes, a delightful mix of ballet, tap, and even acrobatic moves. They even wore leotards for the exercises, often in beautiful earthy tones of burgundy and terracotta, with matching leggings for a bold and practical touch. Now, that's the real joy of a time-traveling fashion tour - seeing the way these fashion elements flow from the stage into everyday lives!
Pink Power:
Of course, I wouldn't be true to my Pink Tutu style without a touch of colour in the heart of 1936 London. You might not find vibrant fuchsia or shocking pink like our modern tutus, but those gentle, blush shades were totally there, especially in the luxurious silk or chiffon fabrics that dancers would adore!
You wouldn't find pink tutus on stage - those were reserved for special productions - but we did come across a delightful little shop in Soho. It sold costumes for plays, burlesque, and theatrical shows. Their selection was truly special. A whole rack of silk ballet dresses with the softest pink imaginable. They looked almost luminous under the warm lamplight. Oh, I had a little daydream about incorporating a hint of pink in my 1930s look. Imagine those luxurious pinks paired with black beaded accents and an intricate up-doā¦ I think a 1930s Emma would be fabulous!
Pink Tutuās Inspiration
1936 really highlighted a key aspect of leotard fashion - the dance is as much about the performer's style as their technical skills. We saw that elegant approach to fashion across the spectrum of dance - from classic theatrical performances to modern, everyday practice studios. The world is changing and evolving but some things are constant ā elegance, style, and the enduring allure of the leotard, no matter the era!
Speaking of which, how exciting are those silk pinks I saw in Soho?! For all of you tutu lovers out there, I encourage you to have a playful look through vintage clothing stores. A touch of pink might just be what you need for that new āvintage feelā!
Stay Stylish!
And as we gracefully twirl back to the 21st century, don't forget to subscribe to Pink-Tutu.com for all the latest time-travel fashion fun! Next month, weāll take another adventure through time ā perhaps even with a pink leotard twist!
I hope you'll join me.
Your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina,
Emma!
