Hello, my gorgeous glitterati! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you away on another whirlwind trip through time, this time landing smack-dab in the heart of July 1939.
As you know, my trusty pink, sparkling leotard (courtesy of some seriously sparkly fairy dust) can zip me through the ages in a flash! And today, darling, weâre off on an exploration of the fabulous world of leotards â because every era has its own delightful spin on this essential dance garment.
So, buckle up, buttercup! Today's destination is none other than 7th July 1939, the day I had a vision of what a "typical" dance student was sporting...
A Little Bit of History:
Firstly, let's travel back to the origins of the leotard. Though its modern form wouldn't arrive for quite some time, the roots of this elegant garment can be traced back centuries to a very different kind of leotard - the one worn by the man after whom the piece is named, the famous acrobat Jules Leotard, in the 1800s! These leotards, primarily for acrobatic feats and the trapeze, would be made of soft, flexible leather or tightly-woven fabric, and we owe them thanks for inspiring the versatile garment we all know and love today.
By the 1930s, however, the leotard had been re-imagined! Gone was the focus solely on practicality, and the focus shifted to an elegant aesthetic for dance practice. A time when the dancer needed more freedom and ease of movement - think graceful leaps and twirls! So naturally, as my dazzling leotard glittered in the spotlight of that vibrant July, it showed me a world where leotards were now, you see, much softer and lighter - a mix of silk, wool and velvet was commonplace, creating a graceful silhouette. The fabrics allowed for much more stretch and flexibility than before, with vibrant colors and even the occasional sprinkle of sequin or rhinestone adding some sparkle for performances.
And just to further prove my point, that day I watched an entire ballet class warm up, from young students to their graceful, experienced teachers, all clad in simple yet chic leotards, ranging from elegant black to soft cream, with shades of deep blues and a surprising array of pastel colours. Some were adorned with ruffles, a sprinkle of sparkle, a bow here and there. Others sported bold geometric prints â all of which were very fashionable. But a very prominent piece of my journey was the discovery of how a âfull skirtâ, the ballet tutu was then worn over a leotard with a fitted skirt, often using multiple layers of tulle for its billowing effect, giving a full, beautiful round effect, rather than the wispy modern form that we are more used to today. All the dance class sported them, and itâs true, these âtutuâ garments were as stylish then as they are now!
I also noticed some ladies chose an element of traditional elegance by adding a sheer tunic over their leotards â a look perfect for adding a hint of refined, flowing grace. There were lots of leotard options â high-neck, scooped neck, sleeveless or even short sleeves. All of these were made of stretchy cotton jersey fabric. The key back then was a perfect fit that didnât distract from the dancers movement but helped to sculpt and support them as they moved through a choreography of elegance.
A Ballet Ballet
My adventures on this July day went well beyond the dance studio. Later, the town's grand Theatre played host to an exciting ballet, which, as you can imagine, drew my attention. (It goes without saying that I managed to secure a ticket. After all, nothing says âfabulous" like ballet!) You see, during this period it was a rare sight to witness any other ballet dance form apart from classical ballet. A typical ballet program would include works of well-known ballets from great classics from ballet greats - from Tchaikovskyâs âSwan Lakeâ and âNutcracker" to Stravinsky's âRite of Spring" and many more... But as the lights came up on the theatreâs stage, I had to confess I felt something differentâŠsomething special...
My senses were instantly invigorated. From the glimmering chandeliers casting pools of golden light onto the beautifully dressed audience to the musicians in the orchestra taking their places - I was completely mesmerised. What was truly fascinating about the ballets I watched were the beautiful costumes, including leotards with lace-up bodice and soft pastel colored tulle tutus! It really added such grace and grandeur to the entire show. My camera lens never stopped clicking throughout! The show also gave me a glimpse of how the leotard had moved beyond simply practical attire, and started to gain the appreciation as an aesthetic garment in its own right â it was now a major element in the world of theatrical costuming.
That night, after a magical and mesmerizing ballet performance (and a wonderful glass of champagne to celebrate!), I took a spin on a moonlit stroll through the charming streets of the town. It was here I spotted the most captivating spectacle...an out-of-this-world fashion store.
Now, I've never met a fashion store I didn't love. I headed in for a sneak peak of this 1930âs fashion-fabulous wonderland â a shop selling all things dance. A dream!
I couldnât help myself, I picked up the loveliest selection of pink tutu style pieces I could find and even managed to grab some beautiful hand-painted floral design leotards, along with a few dazzling accessories with sparkly trims and sequins â the works! Youâre welcome.
I did, after all, pick these out specifically for the blog - after a rather fantastic cup of tea in the café down the street...
My Favourite Pieces: (From 7th July, 1939, Fashion Store )
The Dreamy Tulle Skirt As an advocate of the tutu, this dreamily tulle skirt is a must have. I simply adored how soft, but how light it looked on. Just one layer of pale pink, which gives such a pretty, dainty and feminine appearance! Perfect for dance performances.
The Delicate Velvet Leotard: Imagine, if you can, a lovely velvety soft feel of a deep scarlet leotard, the sort that makes you want to twirl with reckless abandon.
The Printed Elegance Leotard:
An ethereal symphony of dancing bluebell flower blossoms on a simple soft leotard, perfectly reflecting a sense of classic grace and femininity!
My adventures back in the era of glamorous dance weren't simply limited to leotard fashion discoveries.
Letâs take a quick peek at what else happened that July...
More 1939 Tidbits:
July 7th 1939 â this date marked the 71st Birthday of former US President Herbert Hoover.
July 7th 1939 - In news of importance â Britain passed the âNational Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Act.â I donât know about you, but I found it rather impressive!
Letâs Get Glittering:
Well, my precious petunias, itâs time to say goodbye. But don't forget that your journey through time and leotard history isn't over just yet! Next month, I'll be taking a journey through the past and exploring another fabulous date, so make sure you check back and see where our time machine lands!
Until then, remember: lifeâs too short to be anything but a sparkling ballerina in a pink tutu. Donât forget, if you have any fun facts about 1939's dance and fashion world, do let me know by commenting on my website www.pink-tutu.com - your thoughts and fashion tips are most welcome! Keep on dancing and glittering!
Until next month, my sweet little sugar plums! * Emma, XOXO*
