Tutu Tuesday in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Hey Tutu Lovers! It's your girl, Ashley, checking in from sunny (and surprisingly chilly) Lancaster, Pennsylvania! You know the drill, it's #TutuTuesday!
I just have to tell you guys about this amazing weekend I had. Let's just say I've found my new favorite place for finding some seriously fabulous tutus and I'm excited to share the love!
Lancaster, a quaint town in the heart of Pennsylvania, turned out to be a hidden gem for tutus. It's not just the cobblestone streets and historic architecture that stole my heart (okay, maybe a little) but the hidden treasures I discovered. This little city is surprisingly bursting with stores packed full of amazing dancewear!
I know what you're thinking - Lancaster? Ballet? It doesn't exactly scream "Dance Capital of the World," right? Well, that's where you'd be wrong. It turns out the city has a rich history in ballet. Turns out, they have an incredible dance community, with everything from a ballet school that has been teaching for decades, to local shops with amazing tutus.
First stop: "Dance Essentials". This place had to be on my list. I hear it's the place for the "professional" ballet dancer but don't worry, they have so many cute things, not just for your "professional" moments. Seriously though, I was blown away by their selection of professional tutus. They've got everything from traditional Romantic tutus to the modern, flowy styles. Iâm thinking I may have even found a tutu for my next show â a little secret⌠I'll post a picture soon!
Second stop was a charming little shop called "The Tutu Shoppe". It's totally charming and so very personal. I loved that they have some fun, vintage tutus. Think 50s dance recitals, but modern and fun! They even had tutus in all shapes and sizes - perfect for any body type and style. Theyâve got the âshort, frillyâ and âlong and flowyâ options! My go-to style is definitely the longer flowy tulle but they have some stunning styles if you're into the traditional tutu look.
You know itâs important to me that my dance wear and especially tutus be made in the USA! Itâs so much better when we can shop local, support our own country, and you know I'll keep supporting the dance community in whatever way I can! There are a lot of American companies creating incredible dancewear but they are harder and harder to find! One thing you can always trust, especially in Lancaster, PA - they have incredible dancewear, I swear it, youâve just got to check it out for yourself. They also had the most adorable collection of children's tutus, so of course I snagged one for my niece. I have to admit, I was even tempted to get one for myself. Who doesnât need another tutu? And after a couple of fun tutu outfits, who couldn't use another tutu?!
After my tutu shopping spree, I couldn't resist indulging in some local Lancaster treats. You can't visit the city without having the world-famous Pennsylvania Dutch food! Don't even get me started on their Amish-style peanut butter fudge, yum! The fudge is almost as addictive as trying on cute tutus. But hey, at least the tutus don't give me a sugar crash! đ The best part about all of it was just getting to enjoy some ânormal lifeâ without the usual hectic schedule. Of course, I still spent most of my free time doing yoga and ballet. The dance studios in Lancaster are pretty great - much better than anything back in my little home town in Georgia. You definitely know there's a love for dance when itâs like breathing in the air, something everyone here in Lancaster seems to love doing.
My visit to Lancaster was like a fairy tale come to life (but maybe a bit less sparkly, haha). I even took some photos in the local parks wearing my newest Tutu purchase (It was a dark blue satin tutu that I plan on showing off later. Donât worry! đ ). The photos really captured that classic fairy-tale vibe I was going for! Of course, they'll have to wait for an Instagram post becauseâŚwell⌠itâs #Tutuesday and itâs about time for the next part of my Lancaster journey: finding a great tutu store that's known for the super cute styles that work perfectly for a photoshoot.
Anyway, back to tutus. #Tutuesday in Lancaster was an amazing experience. The city's unique charm and rich history definitely gave me some fashion inspiration, and the amazing shops reminded me that the magic of tutus and dance lives on everywhere.
Remember to stay tuned because I'll have a lot more fun stories to tell about #Tutuesday.
Stay sparkling! â¤ď¸
Xoxo,
Ashley