Hello, lovelies! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, Emma, here, and I'm buzzing to whisk you away on another fantastic journey through time! As you know, July 2020 was a month full of surprises – remember that time I tripped over a banana peel in 18th-century Paris? Don’t worry, I caught myself with the most stylish arabesque you’ve ever seen (and even picked up some fantastic fabric from the silk merchants for a future leotard design)!
This time, my magical, sparkly pink leotard took me to a most delightful destination: the grand old city of London in 1920, right in the heart of the Roaring Twenties! Just thinking about the jazz, the flapper dresses, and the daring fashion makes me want to pirouette across my bedroom, my pink tutu swishing behind me.
Now, you might be thinking: what connection does the 1920s have with leotards? Well, lovelies, it's a deeper connection than you might imagine. While the leotard itself as a garment had been around since the late 1800s (often worn by circus performers), the 1920s saw it blossom into a key item in dance, gymnastic and athletic wear. It became a symbol of liberation, movement and sheer, delightful femininity.
The very essence of the Roaring Twenties was about flaunting freedom and self-expression, and that sentiment definitely trickled into the world of leotards. Think sleek, body-hugging silhouettes in soft satin and silks. Picture delicate, shimmering sequins adorning the hems of these garments, giving a glimpse of the skin and creating an enchanting visual that simply captivated the eye.
My heart was absolutely set aflutter as I strutted down a bustling London street. The city pulsed with life – bright, bold fashion statements, the aroma of freshly baked bread from local bakeries, the sound of music bursting from nearby cafés, and everyone simply brimming with joy! This was London in full bloom, ladies and gentlemen.
What did leotard fashion look like during this magical era?
Firstly, colour was absolutely EVERYTHING. Think vibrant reds, daring yellows, blues that seemed to burst with energy and shimmer with vivacity, alongside an absolute explosion of metallic colours that simply stunned me. And of course, pink, oh my, pink was EVERYWHERE – dresses, headbands, scarves, you name it, it was pinked up!
Speaking of the ladies in London in 1920, their attire was an absolute feast for the eyes. From the most charming flapper dresses adorned with intricate beading, feathers, and sequins, to the effortlessly cool tailored trousers, Londoners oozed a confidence that just captivated me.
The flapper dress, I discovered, had become a statement of both boldness and femininity, and I realised why it had made such an impact on leotard fashion as well. The flapper look inspired the introduction of more stylish leotard cuts. The Empire waist – just above the bust line - made a significant entry onto the scene, and was all about showcasing that liberating attitude of the time, which really aligned with the leotard's purpose for showcasing the fluidity of movement and a daringly new silhouette. It also gave us that famous hourglass silhouette – oh, la la!
Dance leotards were still a relatively new concept back then, so I was absolutely delighted to see that dance studios had a key role to play in promoting this fashionable style! The studios and dancers used a selection of textures for leotards; silk, satin, lace, you name it! It's fair to say the use of leotards had shifted from the purely functional to a more expressive garment.
What else was happening on the leotard fashion scene in July 1920?
Well, the Ballet Russes, spearheaded by the utterly inspiring Serge Diaghilev, had just recently wowed London audiences. Diaghilev was a total visionary. He pushed the boundaries of traditional ballet, using daring costumes, vibrant colours, and striking designs to create truly innovative, powerful dance experiences. This pioneering spirit influenced leotard fashion directly, giving us the daring and imaginative looks that define this incredible era.
There's so much to see in London in 1920 – a total sensory overload! I mean, where else would you see a ballerina doing a split mid-air with a magnificent red, beaded flapper dress on, the breeze swirling through her cascading curls and a cheeky twinkle in her eye, all while a dapper gentleman in a top hat and tails sips his sherry with an air of sophisticated nonchalance?! Oh, to be there!
The leotard was on its way to becoming the ultimate dancer’s must-have! I love this!
You know me, darling, I always bring you the very best fashion treasures from the past. I want you to imagine a dance scene where leotards take centre stage. Picture a whirl of vibrant silks and shimmering sequins, delicate lace ruffles that sway gently as ballerinas perform, their graceful limbs effortlessly moving through the air, embodying that glorious, unapologetic femininity of the 1920s. Now picture this beautiful scene swathed in beautiful shades of pink!
As for my own personal time travelling leotard? It's a masterpiece, you see! Sparkly pink, naturally, with delicate tulle flounces and a generous scattering of sequins – a little homage to my favourite period. But that’s not all! I’ve also had the pleasure of commissioning a new addition to my leotard wardrobe for this time period – a deep scarlet velvet creation, with an alluring slit on the side, an Empire waist and dazzling jewel detailing, just imagine… It's so good, I might just be channeling a bit of Josephine Baker myself!
Of course, I couldn’t visit the capital in 1920 without hitting the stores! A visit to Liberty’s was an absolute dream! The exquisite silks, the elaborate embroideries, the sheer variety of textures - I could barely choose! Not to mention, a trip to one of those famous 1920s dance studios, a charmingly elegant affair in a gorgeous Victorian building. And then, to complete the experience, a lovely dance recital, performed by dancers in the most incredible costumes, and a performance of music hall style numbers, and it was a perfect blend of style, spectacle, and beauty.
Oh, you'd simply love it all! And just wait until I share my newest leotard design inspired by the Roaring Twenties with you!
Till next time, my lovelies! Don’t forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com for more exciting leotard history blogs and see you soon! Remember, stay stylish, stay curious, and keep dancing your heart out! And who knows, maybe even embrace a little pink in your life!
Lots of love and pirouettes,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to check out my street ballet performances - the ultimate fusion of pink tutus and time-travel funded goodness!
