#LeotardHistory during 1943 12 December

Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! It's December, and that can only mean one thing: festive cheer and an excuse to don a very sparkly leotard. 🎄✨ Today we're whisking back to the 12th of December 1943. Think wartime glamour, Victory Rolls, and a very special glimpse into the world of leotard fashion back then!

Now, as a seasoned time traveller in my magical pink sparkling leotard (let's face it, I simply cannot resist the glitter!), I’ve realised that every decade has its own special kind of leotard magic. Today's journey was a reminder of how resilient and glamorous fashion can be, even in the most trying of times.

You might think leotard fashion would be subdued during wartime. But hold onto your tutus, dear readers! We're going to be having a spot of tea in 1943! ☕ I think of myself as a bit of a style detective - it’s what I do for a living! 🔍 The street theatre performance had gone well in 2023 and I had enough pennies in the till to send me zipping through time in my magical sparkly pink leotard,

1943 was a pivotal year. It was a time of sacrifice, a time of hope. But even then, a strong spirit of fashion and practicality shone through.

And who was in need of comfort and joy back then? The troops! 💖 Remember, leotards weren't just for dancers in 1943; they were also an essential part of the uniform worn by some of the incredible women serving our country in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS). These remarkable ladies wore tailored, streamlined leotards for physical training and as part of their uniforms. They embraced practicality with a dash of wartime glamour. Imagine, the most graceful women sporting beautifully streamlined, streamlined leotards! Now there's a sight worth seeing. 😉

Leotard fun fact: During wartime, a surge in demand for leotards lead to ingenious improvisations - nylon, the fabric of choice for leotards at the time, was used for parachute material, so a lot of these practical leotards were actually made of repurposed materials. That’s resourceful thinking at its best, wouldn't you say? It just shows that there is no style problem that a good seamstress, with an eye for colour and flair can’t solve. Even today, repurposing fabrics and creating from scratch, or with just a couple of alterations, has never gone out of fashion! There is a timelessness to leotard design - so timeless that I could literally hop through time in one from just about any period and blend in!

Back in 1943, in the midst of it all, designers found ways to create innovative and stylish leotards using fabric rationing rules and a wealth of resourcefulness. Leotards weren’t just the mainstay of physical training, they were the focus for fashion and elegance! And as they say in Derbyshire, that’s brilliant! 😄

Speaking of brilliance, you've got to see the amazing, and ever so elegant designs by renowned names like Norman Hartnell. The elegance, the exquisite choice of fabrics! These pieces were made from a blend of practical needs and stylish flourishes - leotards designed to suit the body and provide support - but, oh my, the choice of colours and detail! 🌈 You just had to admire their artistry and commitment to stylish and enduring pieces, that could be mixed and matched with separates! Even the designers used every last little scrap! It’s almost like leotards in those days were the inspiration for ‘upcycling’ today! ♻️ That’s style, darling. Real style! ✨ I am definitely having a browse through the archives when I next time-travel to the early forties.

I find this sort of fashion detective work extremely inspiring. I could just spend all day in the fashion archives! It’s why I spend most of my time flitting around the globe, seeking out the next inspiration, the next fascinating trend, or the next story in a leotard! 💖

So, where do we go for a bit of pre-war wartime leotard fun? We head to London, of course! It's buzzing with wartime spirit and wartime fashions. But hold your horses (as they say!) You need a good, and very practical pair of walking shoes for this adventure, and perhaps a comfy, very feminine leotard. It’s easy for me - as you know I travel in my pink sparkly time machine leotard. I don’t need a change of costume, just a swift spin of my twirling skirt! 😊

And where should we be for that festive pre-war glamour? I’m popping in for a ballet matinee - it’s called ‘The Sleeping Beauty’. It’s set in a fabulous grand hall with so much Victorian-style sparkle and glamour it is almost dazzling. It is certainly an impressive sight! And guess what, they've chosen the perfect place to wear a pink leotard. I wouldn't want to do the 'pink' thing alone, so I pop into a vintage shop and pick up a beautiful pink chiffon tutu. They simply had to make me feel comfortable with the wartime leotards worn by the dancers! After all, what’s a time travelling ballerina to do when everyone else is dressed up? Why it’s got to be a vintage, pink, elegant and very comfortable tutu of course! You see? When we’re talking time travelling, one must stay comfortable. The time travellers always are! 😉 But as always I add my own touch - my glittery pink leotard, so easy for travelling, as well as all that gorgeous glitter. I must confess, my glitter has certainly been my saving grace through all of my time travels. 😉

And I am not just chatting about how it looks, as well as being totally practical (easy to put on, off, and carry around!), it certainly matches all of those festive pink lights, and as the lights shine on it is so beautiful. And the rest of my time travelling gear fits neatly within. A leotard with extra storage? Genius, I tell you! 🥰

But enough about my fabulous style - back to 1943. If I wanted to blend in, I would probably need a navy-blue, or an olive-green leotard and some practical shoes to go with it! I have a brilliant set in my travelling wardrobe just for the occasion! But as I am so smitten with my pink sparkle, we’ll stick with pink for this journey! 😉

Don't forget our shoe talk. 👠 In 1943, ladies were wearing a classic style of leotards - soft fabric, minimal straps or straps which would have been hidden under their ballet dresses, and a little splash of colour. Now I really must tell you a story, from my trip last year! One thing that always strikes me is that even in war times they take care of their toes, by using fabric scraps to cover up any imperfections. Now that's an act of fashion bravery, wouldn't you say? It simply proves that they were the original eco-fashionistas and resourceful to the point of magic. So there was no point in wearing shoes for this time travel trip to the Sleeping Beauty. As far as fashion was concerned the leotards and a stylish shoe with some fabric added, provided an elegant ensemble for any ballet matinee. You know, like I do! 😍

As usual, I've loved finding these hidden treasures - both practical and stylish. It is fascinating that these leotard designs were essential back then - it simply makes leotard fashion today, more fashionable, even if my choice is glitter and a hint of sparkle, wouldn’t you say! ✨

So, there you have it - our first peek into 1943. wartime style at its best, showing that there's never been a better time to slip into a leotard! The spirit of this year shows how even the most challenging times couldn't dim the flame of fashion! ✨💖

Next time you step into your leotard, remember its amazing history. From the women serving in the war to the brilliant designers creating stunning, sustainable designs, the story of leotards is a beautiful blend of practicality and creativity. And it continues to inspire. So whether you’re on the stage, or shopping at the mall, let the magic of 1943 fuel your inner stylish leotard love! And of course - please send us all your own leotard travel stories via our site! 💖

Catch you all in a month - time to go get myself into another fab sparkly leotard and head out to one of my street ballet shows! 😉 Until next time, keep the sparkle in your step,

Love, Emma x

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