Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com! As always, it's a joy to be here with you all, sharing my latest fashion adventures. Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane, right back to 5th May 1922. But hold on tight, because I'm not just reminiscing – I'm travelling through time in my fabulous pink, sparkling time-traveling leotard!
Let's take a trip back in time… shall we?
It’s a bright, breezy May morning, and I’ve popped my sparkly time-travelling leotard on, with my favourite bright pink tutu, for a trip to the 1920s. Today, I'm visiting one of my absolute favourite periods – the Jazz Age. You see, in my opinion, the Jazz Age was a time where dance, fashion, and flair just exploded, making it a dream come true for a pink tutu-wearing ballerina like me!
The Rise of the Dance Dress
Think Charleston, think flapper dresses. In the 1920s, skirts were getting shorter and dresses were more comfortable, making them ideal for dancing. That iconic silhouette of the flapper dress with its low, dropped waist and straight, boyish lines became incredibly popular. They were made from lightweight fabrics, often in vivid colours with intricate beading, and, let's not forget, had those signature dropped waistlines, designed to let women move freely and enjoy the new sounds of jazz music and Charleston steps! The dress was revolutionary. Think loose, flowy shapes - think comfortable and fun to dance in - a dream come true for dance dresses!
It’s time to visit the legendary “Charleston”, the hottest new dance club on the block in New York. In the pulsating heart of this club, the most influential choreographers are trying to work out which dancers will bring the latest movements to life for the newly popular “Charleston”. They're desperate to capture that playful, liberated spirit and to find dancers who can truly embody the rhythm of this era! I’m so excited – I can’t wait to meet these inspiring individuals and to be part of a party, celebrating such innovative dance!
I feel right at home in my sparkling pink time-traveling leotard, shimmying alongside the flapper girls in the roaring heart of this fabulous dance venue. These are definitely not just dress-up outfits. The designers were inspired by dance, by women who wanted to move freely. Imagine, this whole era of free-flowing fashion has a special place in my heart - all these exciting, modern dance designs were taking inspiration from what people were wearing and how they were moving on the dance floor! A real step forward! (If you’ll pardon the pun!)
Dance & Leotards
Of course, we can’t forget the leotard, the true cornerstone of any dance outfit! As a true ballerina, the leotard is my “must-have” when it comes to my dancewear - I adore those gorgeous silhouettes! They are simple, classic, and most importantly – they allow the body to move freely. But here's the fun fact: it was the ballet world in 1920s which had a huge influence on the development of the leotard in the fashion world. The first ballet leotards had already gone through some changes - becoming simpler, and the neckline was becoming more flattering. But in the 1920s – these silhouettes came through into fashion. So many dancers loved the sleek look and the functionality of the leotard! It made sense - in this age of vibrant jazz dance and playful moves - why wouldn’t they make fashion for dancers and fashionable dancewear, right?
* Ballet on the Rise*
And while the Charleston was all the rage across the United States, across the Atlantic, ballet was making a dramatic resurgence! From France, Russia, and beyond, many ballerinas had made their way to England during the early 1900s – with new talent flooding to this historic city.
In London, Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe was flourishing, offering thrilling new choreographies and productions in spectacular costume and with innovative sets. Ballerina costumes in this era often were stunning! – and for this era – think luxurious, beautifully detailed designs! With shimmering sequins, a lot of pink, soft pinks and beautiful pale blues - it was such a glamorous and captivating time! It was truly inspiring and had a very clear influence on my love for both dance and fashion!
Think flowing fabrics, exquisite hand embroidery - these ballerina dancers moved with an elegance which was a direct result of the clothing designs. In London, there was a special new dance movement with an intense, focused quality that felt as vibrant as the jazz music that was taking over New York at the same time - the style had incredible grace and focus - it’s something I admire so much! The ballet designs from this era have so much power – from the colors, to the movement and the drama, the entire theatrical presentation of these ballet shows, it's what keeps drawing me back to the early twentieth century.
And while the ballet movement across the pond may have had a more luxurious feel than the jazz music taking over New York, these were both groundbreaking developments in terms of clothing. Dance movements and dance choreography directly shaped fashion, it was a truly collaborative time. And we must never forget the women in the forefront of this – these bold women – pushing boundaries, shaking things up, inspiring dance fashion, and of course, making dance and fashion accessible to women everywhere!
Modernizing Dance - More About Fashion & Dance
Of course, let's also take a peek into some of the iconic dresses worn by women who were changing dance styles – and therefore influencing fashion, back in the early part of the century. Let’s look at two legendary, famous dresses in the history of modern dance!
Isadora Duncan’s Famous Grecian Dress I adore the elegance and lightness of these dresses - this famous, talented, innovative dancer, wanted to express her individuality through the freedom of her dance moves, but also to do this with simple, flowy outfits that would encourage movement and freedom!
- The Russian Ballerina – Anna Pavlova and her tutu: Her white costumes, and her soft pink tutus with delicate, floral-themed embellishments have been my absolute favourites for years! You can’t think about a 1920s ballet performance without picturing her beautiful tutus and graceful, dramatic stage presence – the costumes were incredible, and Anna Pavlova herself was inspiring to many.
The Fashion Inspiration – It's all about Flowing & Functional Clothing: So I'm absolutely in awe of the fashion in this era! These designs were created for movement, for flow – both in fashion and dance – a complete movement across the United States and England - it really captured my imagination! The outfits were simple, feminine, and free - something I’ve definitely brought back into the twenty-first century for my own dancing. As I love ballet history - my leotard and tutus reflect so much of that rich history.
And remember those iconic bob haircuts in the Jazz Age? – this was another change in the fashion scene that would stay in fashion - a radical choice at the time. Imagine if we suddenly embraced short, sleek, pixie haircuts today - such an impactful statement, as bold as some of these flapper girls who pushed boundaries in the world of dance!
Where to Look Today for Amazing Leotards?
- The Russian Ballerina – Anna Pavlova and her tutu: Her white costumes, and her soft pink tutus with delicate, floral-themed embellishments have been my absolute favourites for years! You can’t think about a 1920s ballet performance without picturing her beautiful tutus and graceful, dramatic stage presence – the costumes were incredible, and Anna Pavlova herself was inspiring to many.
The legacy of that 1920s spirit of bold movement lives on today, doesn’t it? There's just so much incredible dancewear out there! These designs capture that “Charleston” flair – that playful elegance that I find completely inspiring! So I think it’s only fair that I recommend some amazing shops where you can get the perfect outfit:
- “Freestyle”: You'll find so many leotards in every style – bright colors, beautiful designs - and don't forget the leggings, tights and tutus – something for everyone!
"Ballet Boutique”: This shop really makes the effort to offer really feminine styles, in a range of colours that look absolutely divine!
And while we are on the topic of amazing leotards – Don't forget the ultimate inspiration! The “Pink Leotard”. A real symbol of fun, energy and confidence – it really represents how fashion, movement and the joy of dance are linked together. So ladies, embrace your inner flapper and be bold!
Fashion Trends Inspired by Dance:
Remember my beautiful tutu-loving followers, the beauty of the fashion inspired by dance, like in the Jazz Age – it doesn’t stop there. I am always looking for those elements of inspiration from fashion designers. Remember how I’m looking for those incredible dance movements that inspired these fashion designs – that’s what gives me all my time traveling ideas,
And while we’re on this journey together – keep coming back every month for another inspiring look at dance fashion. Next month I’m off to visit a ballet rehearsal!
*How Do I Fund My Time Travel Adventures? *
You’ll want to know the secret – I’ve managed to combine my passion for dance, fashion and history into something truly wonderful. That’s right – I use my ballet skills, and my sparkly, pink leotard, to perform dance on the streets and to fund my adventures through time! From ballet to jazz to swing - my performance skills take me from the 1920s right through to the future – and everything in between!
I love this idea – that I get to share my passions, from the love of my life - leotards to my favorite way to exercise, ballet – that’s how my little dance outfit, my amazing tutus and my leotards got me here, all the way back to the 1920s! And now, let me know – what is your favorite leotard outfit, what is your dream ballet dance destination, and where would you time travel? Leave your comments in the box below!
