Post #2275 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hiya my lovelies! Emma here, your Derbyshire girl with a penchant for pink and a serious passion for leotard fashion! Welcome to another sparkly edition of my monthly Leotard History time-travel diary!
Now, where on earth do I begin? July 2048 was simply a whirlwind of fabulousness! This month took me to the bustling streets of New York in 1928, the glittering Parisian Opera House of 1875, and a right little vintage-boutique bonanza in London's Bloomsbury in 1958!
*(cue excited twirling in my pink sparkling time travel leotard) It was all so gloriously inspiring! *
New York, New York, 1928
Let’s kick things off with my trip to the Big Apple in the roaring twenties! Now, anyone who knows me knows that I simply cannot resist a little jazz age glamour! And, oh my, the outfits were something! We’re talking knee-length skirts with fringes that practically swung like dancers themselves, sparkly beaded dresses that glimmered like disco balls, and a whole world of breathtaking headbands that made me want to start my own vintage collection!
As for leotards, the flapper era definitely knew a thing or two about simplicity and practicality! The leotards were usually crafted from sleek black jersey and often paired with sheer or silky skirts or a little wrap for extra flair. It was all about freedom of movement – allowing those ladies to tap their feet, twirl their tassels, and groove the night away in a world of dazzling excitement! I even saw a stunning little dance show at the Cotton Club. The flappers were completely mesmerising! They really knew how to make a show of it.
Now, let me tell you, it’s been a while since I was in that era and a little bit of bootleg booze had made me quite peckish, but the fabulous speakeasies were totally worth the hunt for some secret entry.
Speaking of hunt, shopping in 1920s New York was a delight. All those gorgeous silhouettes and fringes – even I, a little ballerina with a passion for pink, can see how absolutely inspiring it all was. Of course, I had to get my hands on a sparkly flapper dress.
Paris: Opera House Extravaganza, 1875
Let's jump back in the magical pink sparkly leotard and zoom across to Paris in the year 1875! Oh, my, the opulence, the grace! It felt like walking into a masterpiece. The Parisian Opera House, that grand old dame of architectural wonder – you just couldn’t take your eyes off it! It felt like a magical theatre in a magical world.
It wasn’t just the stage, though; Parisian fashion in the 1870s was something else! A little on the frilly side, perhaps, for my personal taste. It seemed everyone was going wild for layers of frills and tons of crinolines. But I have to give them credit. Those crinolines really added such elegance! They could wear those grand designs with confidence and create an utterly stunning cinched-in waist silhouette.
Fashion and Leotards - A World of Possibilities!
When it came to leotards, this period seemed a little more restricted. Those dancers back then were whipped into shape with corsets! Can you imagine that under a tight-fitting leotard – must have felt a bit like being stuck in a vice! Of course, that did give them some fabulous control over their curves! It wasn’t just the design but the way the ballet dancers held themselves, a level of elegant restraint you don’t see so much nowadays! Their leotards, when worn with an intricate dance bodice (often with beautiful beading and embellishments!) was the epitome of romanticism in the ballet world. And, well, they're absolutely incredible to watch – such a joy to see them perform.
I particularly enjoyed the French style opera dancers. These lovely ladies seemed so captivatingly poised – with their effortless movements and grace – you really felt that sense of romance in every plié and turn – just pure magic.
Bloomsbury Blitz: The 1950s & The Dawn of Leotard Chic
Now, onto 1958 in Bloomsbury, London – right in the heart of the post-war fashion scene. Oh, the energy! British style is simply effortlessly cool – I absolutely adored it. Everyone looked incredibly sharp – a really polished and elegant style – I must say, I quite admire them for their effortlessness and sense of chic! The ladies definitely knew how to carry themselves with confidence, all thanks to those little pencil skirts that were all the rage.
Of course, we cannot forget about those 1950s dresses with the cute little bows and full-skirted styles – they definitely made a comeback in recent decades! As for leotards, it seemed the era embraced modernity with an array of different styles, lengths, and even bold colours (just like my favourite bright pink, of course!) I absolutely loved browsing through all those fabulous vintage stores – a fashion history lesson in itself – I must say the sheer amount of fabric and materials was breathtaking – from lace to sequins to simple cotton and jersey – I really felt like I could’ve spent an entire lifetime in these stores, sifting through all those gorgeous creations!
Oh! And one of my personal favourites was the amazing range of tights! They came in so many beautiful designs – sparkly, lacy, patterned, and every single one so gorgeous and oh so flattering on those ladies’ legs! I certainly went shopping and managed to bag myself an incredible bargain of some mint condition lacy tights and a 1950s velvet leotard – the perfect retro look.
Now, after all those glorious adventures, time to return home to Derbyshire, England! It's always a joy to be back here, among the friendly folk and the stunning landscapes. But one thing's for sure - after my travels, I'm more convinced than ever: Leotard fashion is a story that never ends! There is a truly fabulous story waiting to be told about each decade, each fashion movement. I simply love discovering those moments, exploring the leotard trends and getting a glimpse of how people saw the world through the lens of their fashion. It truly gives you a glimpse into our history – that connection between the present, the past and everything in between! And I have so much more history to explore and share with all of you. So, stay tuned for more Leotard History Adventures from your very own time-traveling ballerina. And, if you have a particular era that you'd like me to explore, send me a message!
Until next month, my loves, keep your tutu high and your spirits shining. Let's paint the world with pink, one twirl at a time!
Lots of Love, Emma
