**The Tutus Are Out, Darlings!**
It's 28th September 1996 and you know what that means, my dears? That's right, the annual **"Tutu Tuesday"** is upon us! Every year, the nation – well, let's be honest, mostly London and maybe a few brave souls in Edinburgh – takes a collective deep breath, throws on their best pashminas and clutches their lattes a little tighter as the most glorious spectacle of all time takes over: **ballet day**. Oh, you know what I mean, sweetie! Let's not pretend, the ballet world can be so serious – those pliés are certainly not *all* fun and games! So, on Tutu Tuesday, we embrace the whimsical, the playful, the oh-so-extra side of dance!
Now, I know what you're thinking – “ballet is a bit... passé, don't you think, darling?” And, well, you might have a point! In a world where belly dancing can make its way to Broadway and voguing is basically Olympic sport (when will it get recognised, I ask you?), ballet, the good old traditional kind, can sometimes feel, dare I say it, *a bit dated.* But that's just where **Tutu Tuesday** comes in! This is our chance to rediscover the fun, the flirty, the truly magnificent spectacle that is ballet! We can get all misty-eyed remembering the beauty of Degas and still find the drama of Baryshnikov thrilling. We can adore Swan Lake, despite those slightly scary swans and appreciate the fact that our favourite ballet teacher will probably still be in the same ridiculous, but wonderful, black outfit. So, Tutu Tuesday is a joyous celebration of it all! A love letter to those who - believe it or not - dare to *wear* those tulle dreams, even if only for a day!
Here’s the breakdown, darling! This is the **ultimate Tutu Tuesday Guide** (copyright: moi). Let's face it, a bit of “Tutu Tuesday” is what we *all* need.
- **Tutu Talk**: First, a word about the tutu! You see, they aren’t just puffy, sugary-spun fairy skirts. Oh, no. These beauties come in a rainbow of colours. And on Tutu Tuesday, the rules are thrown out the window! There’s even an “off-white, kind-of-dirty-pink” one, because *some* ballerinas want to give off that “oh-I-just-fell-into-the-sugar-bowl-but-that’s-okay” vibe (and yes, dear readers, they DO look incredible).
- **Get Your Pointe On:** You know those teeny tiny ballet shoes called "pointe shoes?" Well, my dearest, forget everything you thought you knew! They aren't all about graceful tiptoes! On Tutu Tuesday, there’s an entire performance art devoted to wearing pointe shoes **off-stage** and as a normal pair of *everyday* footwear.
- **Tutus for *Everyone**: A man, woman, child or chihuahua? *Everyone* gets to join in! From the littlest tutu-wearer who just started "baby ballet" (I saw one little cherub last year wearing a pink, hand-me-down from the elder ballerina in the family, with a mini pink bow holding back those adorable, blonde curls - I swear, it could have starred in its own Hallmark Christmas film), to the 70-something grandma doing *barre* for a living, on Tutu Tuesday - they all join in!
- **The Essential Leotard:** Oh, you know what this means, dear? It means the glorious return of the *leotard*. Whether it's velvet or spandex (silk and lace for the truly adventurous, but always in "tutti fruity" shades), leotards *need* to be seen for all their beauty. We’re celebrating them - every style, shape and texture.
- **A Few Essential Essentials:** *Don’t forget* - to match your leotard with your chosen Tutu - it's like getting your *Chanel* perfect match and the rest will take care of itself. I know what you're thinking! A tutu isn't for everyone (how else do you get the attention, darling?), but that's when we can lean in with an awesome ballet-themed headband (hello to glitter, sparkle, feathers and more!), some ballerina-inspired nail art (think glitter, little pink swirls - it can all be so delicate and chic) and, of course, a dash of that very special ballerina flair - a simple dusting of highlighter powder on cheekbones never hurt anyone! Now, off you go, my darlings!
On **Tutu Tuesday**, it’s time to forget all the rules – except for the rule about remembering it’s **a day for play, and whimsy, and having FUN!** We’re dancing our way through this beautiful autumn, all for a celebration of something special. It's like everyone gets to pretend, for a few hours, that we all have a touch of magic in us, right?