Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler, bringing you post number 243 of my monthly delve into #DragQueenHistory! The calendar flips to March, the weather's starting to get a bit more spring-like (at least, that's what I hear in my lovely Derbyshire village - thanks to my magical pink tutu, I’m never quite sure what month it is!), and my time-traveling toes are itching for adventure. So grab a cuppa, settle in with your favourite sparkly scarf, and let's dive back into history!
Today, we're stepping back to the 3rd of March, 1940. This date marks a truly fascinating period, not just for the world, but also for drag! We're talking a world teetering on the brink of war, yet full of hidden stories of glamour and self-expression.
Drag In the Shadow of War
1940, oh darling, the air was thick with tension! The world held its breath as war loomed, but in the bustling cities and towns, life went on. You might have seen people lining up for ration cards (remember, we're just after World War II, so life wasn’t all sequins and glitter just yet), or witnessed families nervously gathering around the wireless, but hidden away, beneath the cloak of wartime uncertainty, there was a vibrant, colourful underground: the drag scene!
Imagine, a dimly lit speakeasy, the scent of cheap gin and cheap cigarettes hanging in the air, the raucous laughter and clinking glasses. This is where the queens reigned supreme. This is where they danced, sashayed, and told their stories. They used drag to escape, to celebrate, to show the world, even in the face of adversity, that beauty and joy still existed!
I can't give you specific names or places (historical records aren’t always that helpful!) but just picture it, a wartime-chic, pin-curled queen, with her dramatic eyebrows, wearing a gorgeous silk gown salvaged from the attic (maybe a wartime blackout dress reimagined, maybe a remnant from a bygone era!) and some fantastic rouge. The spirit of self-expression was definitely still alive, even if some were forced to tone it down in the name of safety and rationing.
A Pink Tutu Through The Decades: Lessons from the Past
As I shimmy through the years in my trusty pink tutu, there’s one thing I've learned: drag has always been about survival and resistance. It’s a reminder that even when the world seems to be falling apart, the desire to express oneself and find community, to challenge gender norms, and create joy remains constant.
Looking back at drag in 1940, I feel a tremendous amount of respect for those queens, who celebrated their unique style despite a world that may have seemed to try to dim their light. Their stories are testament to the resilient spirit of drag, a powerful force that continues to evolve, challenge and inspire.
Emma's Drag Time Travel Tips!
Of course, no trip back in time would be complete without a few words from Emma about style!
Think repurpose! 1940 was a time of wartime frugality. Remember the silhouette of a wartime fashion: nipped-in waists, a fuller skirt (which you can find at thrift stores - so go have a rummage, darling!). Even vintage pieces, those delicate silks and luxurious furs (perhaps an inherited fur stole from your Nana - always useful for draping!) are so perfect for adding some authentic 40s glam!
Bold Make-up: It’s all about the eyes! 1940s makeup was a symphony of drama, especially around the eyes! Imagine a bold brow line (use that dark eyebrow pencil!), smudged dark eyeliner, and a perfectly contoured crease, perhaps using the deep plum shade eyeshadow you inherited from your Auntie Betty (a treasure!).
Think Pin Curls & Head Scarves! For hairstyles, 1940s are about those iconic pin-curled victory rolls! A silk scarf for those classic headscarf styles (perfect if you want a glam, stylish look that is a nod to rationing – even your head can benefit from a glamorously repurposed piece of fabric!) - or go for a dramatic up-do for a truly head-turning look!
And What Did I Wear?
Let me tell you, dear readers, my trusty time-traveling pink tutu went perfectly with my vintage-inspired get-up! A lovely navy blue and black silk vintage dress with a nipped in waist, my favourite vintage furs, and, of course, a smattering of pearls (because every queen knows, you can never have enough pearls, even if they are made of plastic!). It was glamorous, it was practical, it was a time traveller's dream!
My Time-Traveling Itinerary
Of course, darling, as usual, I couldn’t let this trip back in time be a dry history lesson! We have to have a little fun! After my foray through the 1940s, I’ve got to share my travel diary - the bits and pieces I learned about this fascinating era:
A Night at the Club! Imagine yourself in the dimly lit smoky room of a 1940s club (all thanks to my magical time-traveling pink tutu). Imagine a queen called Miss Cleo performing a dramatic musical act, in an outlandishly flamboyant vintage dress. Now add some jazzy, upbeat, 1940s swing tunes (perfect for the dancers!) with a hint of melancholy, reflecting the war and the anxieties of the times. The costumes, the theatricality, the laughter – it was a truly remarkable night.
Tea & Triumph at the Salon! Who said a trip to the beauty salon can't be an escape from a dreary world? Back then, there was something glamorous and exhilarating about taking a trip to a beauty salon (the air smelling of hairspray and lavender). Imagine those fabulous pin curls (that really will stand the test of time) done to a fabulous tune - perhaps the song from the current "hit" show on the radio - it really gives a real feeling of how 1940s beauty standards went hand-in-hand with optimism and strength in the face of wartime!
Looking To the Future!
Now, my lovelies, it's time for you to delve a little deeper. What kind of drag queen were you if you were transported back to 1940? Would you be an entertainer at the club, keeping the spirits up with your glam? Or a talented stylist with those beautiful victory rolls, making sure that every war worker is ready to take on the world in full, confident, beauty and style?
Whatever you choose to imagine, remember this: drag in any era is about taking up space, about telling your story, about refusing to let anyone dim your shine. It's about strength, about hope, about embracing your individuality, and sharing your light. I’m so grateful for those queens, in their vibrant colours and expressive outfits, who brought so much joy to the 1940s.
Until next time, dear readers! Always stay sparkling and don't forget: Every day is a fabulous opportunity to embrace the magic of pink tutus! 💖
