Tutu Tuesday in Didcot: A Whirlwind of Pink and Pointe Shoes
As a ballerina, tutu Tuesdays are more than just a social media trend for me. They're a celebration of the elegance and grace of the dance form. I confess, however, that even I can't resist the infectious spirit of a good hashtag. So, imagine my delight when I discovered Didcot was embracing the Tutu Tuesday trend with open arms (and maybe a little pirouette). It seems the quiet Oxfordshire town was about to have its very own âwhirlwindâ of pink and pointe shoes!
Now, if you've ever seen Didcot on a regular Tuesday, you wouldn't picture a tutu-wearing, twirling mob descending upon the town centre. It's generally a charming, sleepy place, with a lively market that fills the streets with the smell of fresh fruit and the banter of locals. It's a stark contrast to the dreamy world of ballet that tutus represent. Yet, here I was, my phone camera poised and my tutu carefully selected, ready to capture the unlikely fusion of ballet and Didcot.
My go-to for Tutu Tuesday is always a classic Romantic tutu, you know the ones: flowing layers of tulle, creating a dramatic, airy silhouette, paired with a snug-fitting bodice. I chose a soft blush pink - subtle, sophisticated, and perfect for a morning stroll through Didcot.
First stop: The Market Square. Turns out, #tututuesday was all the rage at the market. Stallholders, a cheery bunch, embraced the dayâs theme with open arms and an even more generous selection of fresh produce. "Youâre here for the tutus, love?â chirped one kindly lady selling handmade hats. "Iâve never seen so many in Didcot!â she giggled.
I was starting to understand that tutu Tuesdays were a chance for Didcot to break free from the usual, to add a little flair and fantasy into their day. It was contagious. The energy in the market was electric, with shoppers adding their own creative spins on the trend.
The "whirlwind" was in full effect â from the local bakery, which was proudly displaying cakes with delicate icing tutu designs (inspired by my favourite, the Romantic tutu!) to the pub where the landlady had added a twirl-worthy tutu-emblazoned banner above the bar. Even the traffic warden seemed to be in a good mood, cheerfully encouraging the locals to twirl with his friendly wave and a cheerful "Happy Tutu Tuesday!"
As I wandered around Didcot's quaint shops and cafes, I met other ballet enthusiasts, each with their unique interpretation of #tututuesday. A gaggle of young girls giggled excitedly, sporting tiny pink tutus complete with feather boas, and I even saw a group of dads who'd donned makeshift tutus fashioned out of floral-patterned bed sheets - dedication!
Hereâs what I discovered: Tutu Tuesdays in Didcot came in all forms, just as versatile as a ballerinaâs moves:
- The Classic Romantic Tutu: This airy, fluffy tulle masterpiece was my choice and, it was quite a sight to see gracefully twirling amongst Didcot's streets.
- The Modern Ballet Tutu: It offered a stark contrast. Sleek, form-fitting silhouettes made from technical fabrics. I spotted a few dancers at Didcotâs local dance studio with these. Their tutus were sleek, yet so intricate, like modern ballet itself!
- The Everyday Tutu: Forget the usual ballet-wear, this was all about adapting the tutu concept to daily life! Think tutus incorporated into casual outfits: tutu-printed skirts, tulle scarves, even a few imaginative tutu hats
- The DIY Tutu: The best kind! From cheesecloth creations to paper-plate-twirling masterpieces, the creativity was off the charts. It proved: you don't need an official tutu to participate in #tututuesday, all you need is the spirit to tutu!
I learned that Tutu Tuesdays in Didcot werenât about perfection. It wasnât about professional ballerinas (although I might have fit into that category!), or about showing off elaborate, fancy tutus. Instead, it was about pure, joyous expression of a form of dance.
What started as a simple trend in the ballet world transformed into something beautiful. A small town that embraced something seemingly outlandish â like tutu Tuesdays â and showed it didnât have to be a perfect pirouette. All it needed was the spirit of celebration and a twinkle in everyoneâs eye. Didcot's embrace of tutu Tuesday was proof of that.
It seems Didcot is the perfect place to express yourself. Itâs full of vibrant character, just like my trusty Romantic tutu.
Until next Tutu Tuesday, Didcot!
#tututuesday