#DragQueenHistory during 1946 07 July

Hey gorgeous ghouls and gals! Emma here, your Derbyshire-born, pink-tutu-loving, drag-history-obsessed time traveller! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous and fabulous history!

Today, we're whisking ourselves back in time to 1946, to the 7th of July. My magical pink tutu, as always, took me on a whirlwind journey through the annals of drag history, landing me right in the heart of… well, things were a little more subdued back then. The glamour of drag was definitely there, but hidden in plain sight, in subtle hints, a delicate dusting of glitter across a world emerging from a shadow of war.

Don't get me wrong, honey, the 40s saw a whole lotta drag going on! But as much as I love a bit of scandalous, revealing drag, the style in '46 was a whole different kettle of fish.

Picture this: It’s wartime Britain. People are emerging from the shadows, their lives marked by austerity and rationing. Yet, nestled amongst the newsreels, in the smoke and steel, was a flourishing drag scene. Not one for dazzling spectacle, but a subtle, poignant expression of self – drag as a way to channel resilience, creativity, and maybe just a little bit of light relief in a world starved for joy.

Let's take a closer look!

The main drag hub in the UK back then was definitely London, especially Soho. It's a world away from the glamorous bars of today, but the spirit of community was certainly alive and well!

• Nightclubs & Cabarets: Think intimate dives, smoky rooms buzzing with energy. A place for people to forget their worries, find solace in song, and maybe a sneaky, glamorous performance.
• “Camp” as an Early Style: Think feather boas and big hats, the essence of what we consider camp drag. It wasn't yet fully recognised as a distinct drag style, but it was certainly part of the performance.
• Drag as a Social Activist Tool: Some historians point to drag performers during this era being a form of resistance. Imagine wearing drag when it wasn’t accepted by the majority – a defiant statement against conformity, an expression of self in the face of expectations.
• Performance Style: Lots of variety - think everything from musical comedy and witty dialogue, to burlesque-esque performances. And those dance moves, darling, they certainly didn't shy away from the moves.

Now, let’s be honest, finding historical images of drag in those times is harder than finding a straight line on a drunken Saturday night! There's a dearth of footage. So my magical pink tutu journey was more about atmosphere than images.

But, imagine with me... a little black-and-white clip, smoky, grainy film, and a shadowy figure in an outrageous feathered hat dancing to a classic, upbeat tune. The mood is light, the laughter loud, a little bit of magic amid the hardship of post-war life.

My fashion darling, think 1940s glamour. I'm not talking full-blown extravagant ball gowns just yet, more polished, sophisticated silhouettes. Think a touch of satin, a whole lotta tulle, maybe even a little velvet!

The colours, of course, were less “pink-tutu” and more “classic glamour”. Think: * Jewel tones: Emerald greens, deep ruby reds, and sapphires blues for the drama! * Neutral Tones: A timeless look. Think cream, black, and even ivory!
* A hint of the “Forbidden”: Perhaps a splash of hot pink (my favourite!) on a dress cuff, or a bold red lip for the showstopping effect.

Don't forget the importance of the hair and makeup! These drag performers embraced their inner divas with perfectly styled hair, be it a classic chignon, or an ultra-voluminous curl, and impeccable makeup: perfectly-shaped eyebrows, flawless foundation, and lipstick to give the illusion of that classic pin-up style.

My sweet ghouls, 1946 saw drag scenes blossoming in hidden venues. In America, Drag Ball culture was just taking root, and although there wasn't as much out there in the public domain as we have today, I’m sure you could’ve found some absolutely spectacular drag queens in their full, glorious, drag queen regalia.

Now, where was I in all this? I don’t think even my magic tutu would’ve transported me back into a 1940s drag scene. Let’s be honest – those early pioneers in drag were bold and rebellious in a way that even I would be too nervous for! Imagine performing for a crowd of stern wartime-hardened individuals. My fabulousness would’ve gotten lost in the smoke, no doubt!

Still, it's important to remember these roots. Those trailblazers carved a path for us to express ourselves, creating safe havens for all of us to be our fabulous selves. I wouldn’t have the amazing life I do now, traveling through time in a pink tutu and bringing you all this fun, without them.

And what about now?

We're living in a golden age of drag! It's never been more mainstream. Think of RuPaul, Drag Race, the massive community support for queer artists... And who doesn’t love the bright colors and flamboyant fashions of today! It’s all so exciting and thrilling, even for a pink-tutu-loving drag historian.

My lovely, fabulous ghouls, what a time to be alive! This blog is about recognizing where we’ve come from and celebrating how far we've come! We stand on the shoulders of the pioneers who came before us. We should honour those drag icons of the past!

And what about our future? Let’s dream big and embrace everything beautiful, colourful, and fun that drag brings. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll all be rocking pink tutus!

Love you lots, darlings.

See you next month!

Emma. xx