Hello my darling leotard lovers! Emma here, your trusty guide to all things pink, sparkly and oh-so-fabulous in the world of leotard fashion! June the 6th is always a special date for me, it’s the day I got to experience the vibrant leotard scene in the glorious year of 1940! Oh, it was simply divine, just wait till you hear about it!
This month's adventure in my trusty pink time-travelling leotard (oh yes, you read that right! Time-travelling leotards are a thing, I can assure you!) took me to a little dance studio in a quaint English town (don't worry, I can’t give you the exact location. The magic of time travel has its secrets, darling!). This was back when things were a bit different, but the love for leotards, as I’ve discovered, is something that transcends time!
Now, you might be thinking, “1940, Emma? Was that the height of leotard fashion? What could be so interesting about that time?” Oh darling, you wouldn't believe it! That year, the world was in the middle of a global war, and that's when things really took off for leotards. You see, due to restrictions on fabric during the war, dance studios had to get creative. Imagine - a leotard with just the right amount of fabric to show your lines beautifully, all while feeling like the most comfortable, empowering piece you've ever worn!
At the studio I visited, there was this lovely instructor, Ms. Beaumont. Now, she was a firm believer in practicality and grace combined, and she designed her own line of leotards. Think a sleek, single colour, no-fuss look that didn’t hinder movement – a far cry from the voluminous tutus that are usually my cup of tea, but incredibly chic and elegant in their own way.
Remember those little details that make all the difference? Well, Ms. Beaumont added cute little ribbons and buttons in just the right places, you know, those clever, charming details that add that special touch! Her leotards were all about embracing functionality without sacrificing style - perfect for those graceful war-time dance lessons, even while wearing those wartime outfits with practical buttoned vests and high collars!
While Ms. Beaumont was a bit reserved about the colour pink – more into practical black and deep blues for her leotards – that didn’t stop me from wearing my signature hot pink time travel leotard with its dazzling sequined embellishments. Everyone loved it, particularly the children at the dance class who would gush about how “lovely” and “pretty” I looked. Their delighted faces filled me with the most joyful glow!
Later that day, I walked around the town, soaking in the sights and sounds. The dance studios were just starting to gain popularity, but the dance fashion had such a charm! Women loved their stylish ballet flats, those delightful canvas slip-ons with ribbons. Remember those? Now those are coming back in style – it was fun seeing it all before I’d even considered a slip-on for myself! The girls wore practical, button-up outfits and men sported suits with simple, understated ties. It felt like a world on the verge of exciting changes.
And did I mention the shop windows?! The little boutique windows were like portals to a world of glamour! Fabric, colour, sequins, bows - oh the glorious combination! And you know what, I realised, the beauty of those little leotard details, those small touches, like those neat rows of little buttons or strategically placed darts on the leotard, that’s what truly brought out the individual character. The girls, despite the austerity of the time, were really making the most of a simple, minimal fabric choice. The leotard was, at the time, a bit of a subversive piece - simple and plain to wear for a practical dance session, but at the same time full of possibility when combined with those little details! I’m not sure, maybe the wartime limitations gave birth to a very particular brand of feminine style, something we've forgotten today.
I found it really interesting to see how they used fabric so resourcefully! The outfits were less about showing off every curve and more about looking elegant and effortless. I even spotted a woman knitting a pretty floral patterned cardigan from leftover fabric, a technique I plan to try at home when I'm not busy perfecting my triple pirouette in the latest sparkly leotard from that fabulous store I visited last month (but that’s a whole other post, darlings!).
Now, the evening brought some even more fun. After the studio and my shop window explorations, I headed off to a dance show in a charming local theater. Oh my! It was a showstopper! Not only did the dancers look radiant, but I also noticed this amazing trend, all the way back in 1940, that I know you’ll adore. Get this, they wore these elegant hats! Tiny hats that looked so feminine with little embellishments, some had sparkly decorations and all kinds of other fantastic features! Those little hat details, you know, the ones that are right over the eyes or slightly tucked in the back, were truly inspiring! I just adored them and their simple, chic vibe.
After the show, I had the most divine time catching up with some delightful people who adore ballet. And that’s another thing I realised - back then, even with all the challenges and uncertainty, people really treasured their communities, their connections and that kind of friendly social interaction. We talked about dance, fashion, and all sorts of life's little pleasures. And honestly, they had some fascinating ideas about style! The best bit? There was a special energy, an air of togetherness that resonated all throughout the evening! You can find that everywhere but back then, I believe the spirit of the time really allowed that spirit of collaboration and celebration to really flourish. It made me realise that fashion is more than just the clothes. It’s also about what brings people together.
All in all, my time in 1940 was an absolute treat! Now I'm back in my Derbyshire studio, already planning my next trip to see where the leotard journey will take me next! (A few whispers say it could be Victorian England, darling, but I can't promise anything!). But while I'm busy preparing my sparkly leotards for my next big time travel adventure, I'm hoping this little slice of fashion history has inspired you.
Now, you darling leotard lovers, do try to go and visit a vintage store and see if you can spot any leotard history details for yourselves! Don't forget, every era holds its own charm, its own stories, and its own secrets!
And before you run off, don’t forget to take a look around my fabulous leotard blog! www.pink-tutu.com
Love you loads! Emma xxx
