Tutu Tuesday in Cheadle Hulme #tututuesday

It's a truth universally acknowledged, that a ballerina in possession of a good tutu, must be in want of a #tututuesday. And for this #tututuesday, Cheadle Hulme, oh Cheadle Hulme, has been the absolute place to be. Seriously, I think I've never seen so many tutus in my life! You would think it was the opening night of Swan Lake with all the feather boas, tulle and pointe shoes everywhere!

So let me break down what went down. The whole thing was organised by The Dance Attic, a little gem of a dance shop just outside the town centre that has been quietly stocking up on everything from practice clothes to top-of-the-line ballet shoes for years. And well, the rumour mill said they were having a "Tutu Extravaganza", so who could possibly resist? I couldn’t!

Stepping into the Dance Attic was like being transported back to childhood. Every dancer knows the magic feeling of that little shop filled with colourful dancewear that promises years of happy leaping and turning, with every little frill and bow and sparkle - everything you could ever want as a young dancer.

But the focus for this #tututuesday was the tutus, and oh, my stars, they had them all! I mean, you’re talking about classic single-layer tulle, the pouffy-puffiest Romantic tutus that give you that ‘ballerina royalty’ feel, the delicate airy tutus with tiers of ruffles, and for those with a bolder sense of style, the tutus with the dazzling beadwork and glittering sequin embellishments. I swear, they had the one you see in those famous Instagram photos – that’s how many gorgeous tutus there were!

Let’s be honest - tutus can feel intimidating! They come in every size and length imaginable - with some that billow just a bit below the knee, some hitting the mid-thigh for those extra turns, and the full-length majestic tutus. I always have the challenge of getting that perfect fit and making sure that every fold and stitch is a masterpiece in motion.

But The Dance Attic went the extra mile by hosting a series of ‘Tutu Workshops’ to help people pick their dream tutus. They brought in some absolute professionals – former professionals, to be exact! There was Helen, who had performed for some of the most prestigious companies in London, teaching us about picking the right style for different dances, as well as how to alter tutus and give them that custom-fit that will make you want to pirouette and grand jetĂ© until the sun goes down!

And there was Matthew, who has worked backstage for years and knows every seam and every layer of a tutu like the back of his hand. He was the master at giving you that super-special finish and showing us how to adjust the layers to achieve the right level of drama and grandeur, with the final touches like how to get that perfect ‘tailored to me’ look, and how to tie that magic tutu bow. It was seriously helpful – especially for this tutu-challenged gal!

Here’s what I learnt about the world of tutus from these amazing tutors – and you know what? You can't have just one tutu, there’s the one for your favourite ballets, the ones for practice, the one that gives you all the princess vibes, the one you want to feel sassy and daring in, and the one that just has you twirling through life with confidence and that inner 'dance magic' glowing inside you!

What else? It wasn’t just about the tutu! It was also a really great way to chat with other dancers, from the very young beginners to the professional ballet stars who seemed to have come out for the evening as well. It’s this sort of dance family vibe, the supportive and enthusiastic community feel, that you only find when people are so passionate about ballet. The atmosphere was contagious – everyone was excited about the latest tutu styles and you could just feel the magic in the air! There was even an on-the-spot photo shoot to capture all those #tututuesday moments in the most stunning and graceful way possible.

From the perfect tutu-fitting moments to the workshops and the whole community feeling - Tutu Tuesday in Cheadle Hulme #tututuesday was just a super fun and inspiring dance extravaganza for anyone who is obsessed with all things tutus!

And here are my Top Tutu Trends #tututuesday :

  • **The “Tutu for Every Dance”:** This year is all about finding a tutu that's versatile enough to work for a range of styles. This means picking a tutu that’s not too short (for modern dances) and not too poufy for lyrical or classical work, ensuring you can use it in different parts of your repertoire.
  • **Embellishments and Details**: Don’t underestimate the power of beads, rhinestones, sequins, and feathers! It can take your tutu from beautiful to spectacular – perfect for special performances and dazzling on stage.
  • **The Colour Rush**: Gone are the days of only black or pink tutus! Tutus are bursting with a rainbow of colours, which will be especially gorgeous for choreographies that showcase vibrant colours! And of course, they look absolutely incredible in photos!
  • **Tutus that are sustainable and eco-friendly:** More and more dancers are mindful of the environment and are opting for tutus made from recycled fabrics, upcycled materials, and organically dyed fabrics.

Now, with all the excitement around #tututuesday and these new trends I need to find some space in my ballet bag (that’s how we dancers store our stuff!). I can’t imagine my life without the tutu! And you know what? It is never too late to find your dream tutu! Whether you’re a professional ballerina or a dance-loving fashionista, #tututuesday in Cheadle Hulme definitely gave us all that inspiration!