Hey everyone! It's your girl, Chloe, back at it again with another post about my favorite day of the week, #tututuesday! This week I decided to explore a new city in the US and see how they're embracing tutus! Today, I found myself in Grand Island, Nebraska. Now, Nebraska isn't exactly the first place that pops into mind when you think of ballet, but I was pleasantly surprised! Let me tell you, Grand Island is where the heartland meets haute couture (and trust me, I know a thing or two about haute couture!).
First, I made my way to the local ballet studio. The "Dance Studio on Main" had these gorgeous, vintage-inspired tutus! Think Romantic tutu with layers and layers of tulle that were so voluminous, they made you feel like you were floating! Their colors were so pretty too â classic pinks and lavenders. If youâre ever looking to recreate the vibe of a romantic, ethereal tutu, try hitting up your local ballet studio for some inspiration. They always have vintage beauties from shows in storage! I can tell that theyâre dedicated to preserving the tradition and teaching the next generation about ballet in the USA. And who knows, maybe even the next American ballerinas of tomorrow!
Next, I hit up the streets of downtown Grand Island. Turns out thereâs a fun artsy district that has tons of unique boutiques. You won't believe this, but I found the coolest shop! This vintage store had a rack of actual *used* tutus â but they were a modern take on a classic tutu, perfect for casual wear! Imagine it: a short tutu in an electric shade of blue that could totally go with a casual outfit â a tee shirt and denim jeans, maybe even a blazer! Now thatâs a look.
Then I ventured into the art galleries. This might surprise some of you, but Grand Island has a very vibrant art scene, you guys! So, there I was, standing in a modern art gallery where a local artist displayed *Tutu-inspired sculptures* - yeah, you read that right! Sculptural art that used tutus as inspiration and a canvas. Who wouldâve thought, right? This got me thinking that ballet can really inspire artistic expression beyond just the stage and the dance. This is definitely an art-loversâ town.
Speaking of artists, did you know the popular clothing retailer, Target, had its start in Grand Island? Well, they still have a presence here! While Target might not be known for its ballerina vibes, they were running a âShop The Lookâ sale this week with the coolest athleisure clothes! And itâs all the inspiration I needed to put together a modern tutu look. Think comfortable and sporty with sleek black leggings and a loose, breezy top. But the key here, you guys, was the tutus they used as styling accents in the display. A *practice tutu* or *classical tutu* was draped on a model and totally made the look a winner. Thatâs how you mix high and low!
And itâs the high-low approach that made me realize the whole point of Tutu Tuesday. Itâs all about finding the perfect outfit for your *personal* style, and showing that there's a tutu style out there for everyone! And I truly believe that if I could find that magic in Nebraska, I know you can too!
Hereâs a little something extra, #tututuesday:
- Get your own DIY tutu: Even if you aren't into the full-blown ballerinas, just snag some tulle at your local craft store, cut some lengths, sew them onto an elastic band, and youâve got a quick tutu skirt!
- Tutus on the beach! Beach weddings and summer events are perfect occasions to rock your cutest tutu!
- Rock it on a night out: Dress your tutu up with an edgy leather jacket or a sparkly top and youâre all set for a night out.
But most importantly, have fun and donât be afraid to experiment! Remember: tutu-ing up is all about being confident and comfortable in your own skin!
Till next time, my Tutu Twins! Don't forget to tag #tututuesday and tell me all about your fabulous tutus.
Xoxo, Chloe