Tutu Tuesday in Taunton Well, darlings, it’s another Tuesday, which can only mean one thing – **Tutu Tuesday!** Now, I know what you’re thinking: "But darling, it's a Tuesday in Taunton, a town renowned for its delicious cider rather than its fashion-forwardness". Let me tell you, you are oh so wrong. Let's be honest, most dancers' weeks are a whirlwind of rehearsals, pirouettes, and plies. And it's easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of our art - that’s the challenge of balancing discipline and creativity, you know. But Tuesday? Tuesday is for taking a break from the barres and the grueling rehearsals, and celebrating the art of dance with a sprinkle of flamboyant fun. I must admit, the thought of heading out to the humble town of Taunton in a frilly tutu had me thinking it would be an epic fashion fail, but darling, the people of Taunton know their dancewear, and they don't mess around when it comes to #tututuesday. What began as a tiny seed of an idea a couple of years ago, blossoming in the dusty dance studio where we spend countless hours refining our pliés and tendus, has evolved into a celebration of dance and style across the nation! Every Tuesday, a joyous throng of ballet aficionados descends upon this Somerset town, showcasing their love of dance and embracing every feather and frill of this most elegant of garments - the Tutu. For those who are unaware (and I honestly cannot believe anyone hasn't heard of #tututuesday by now!), Tutu Tuesday is more than just a simple occasion, it's a way of life! Think of it as a chance to tap into your inner prima ballerina, embrace the fluffiness and let the tutus reign supreme! It was just a little experiment really. A handful of us – ballet students, dance enthusiasts and the odd fashion-forward resident of Taunton – donned our favourite tutus, headed to our favourite cafe, grabbed our coffee, and took a selfie. I can remember my first Tutu Tuesday. We looked like a kaleidoscope of colour, each with our own unique and expressive style, from the elegant classical ballerina tutus to the sassy shorter tutus perfect for those quick jeté-jumps, to the whimsical fairy-themed tutus. We felt like we had truly created something special. We had brought some sparkle to Taunton. We laughed. We chatted. We shared stories of barre classes, and bad plies. We danced on our chairs, pretending the cafe table was our stage. The perfect antidote to Tuesday blues! The beautiful thing about this trend, darling, is it’s a perfect opportunity to get experimental, to create your own style. Some embrace the full-length traditional, multi-layered tulle tutu. A classic choice that demands a bit of bold confidence. Others go for a playful, whimsical fairy tutu, complete with sparkling embellishments, which perfectly captures the innocence and freedom of ballet. The beauty of a tutu, darling, is that there are no rules, there are no restrictions – only the thrill of expressing yourself through your clothing. Every Tuesday, the people of Taunton get creative, experimenting with all kinds of looks. We’ve seen tutu tops, tutu skirts, even tutu dresses - oh, it's quite a sight, believe me. We've even seen the men get in on the action, sporting tutu kilts. You have to give the Taunton blokes some credit for their willingness to break down those traditional masculinity boundaries. This trend truly encapsulates inclusivity and that's the best thing about it. There’s something special, some sort of artistic expression, about taking your typical Tuesday and transforming it into a spectacular spectacle. But Tutu Tuesday is more than just a fashionable spectacle, it's about spreading the love of dance. This is a day for dancers of all levels, to gather and celebrate the beautiful language of ballet. The beauty of ballet, the artistry, the elegance. It's an opportunity to spark conversations about dance, to educate people about its benefits. There's nothing quite as joyful, as cathartic, as letting your body move with the grace and freedom that only ballet allows. It's a day to get into those tiny slippers, to practise a few grand jetés or chassé steps on the town streets – the pavements of Taunton. It's about sharing that passion and spreading that joy. And how did it all happen, this beautiful ballet bonanza in the quiet, unassuming town of Taunton? Well, darling, it's a testament to the sheer power of social media. A few dance-loving folks on Instagram – dare I say it – trendsetters really, took a picture of themselves at their favourite café, each in their most fabulous tutu. We hashtagged it #tututuesday and within weeks it was blowing up online! It's pretty astounding when you think about it, but that's the power of social media, isn't it? The word spread like wildfire. Then came the press. Newspapers, online magazines, fashion blogs, everyone wanted a slice of this Tutu Tuesday action. Local television news even followed a group of tutu-wearing dancers in the street. They did a mini performance outside a café on a busy market day and it made national news! This wasn't just some local fashion fad, this had the potential to turn into a real national, and even international trend! As #tututuesday took hold, the trend exploded across the country and beyond, a testament to the joy and power of this incredible expression! And now, with this ever-increasing trend, it has been a total honour and a privilege for the team at Dance Spirit Magazine to work alongside these wonderful tutu-loving dancers and create a collection of truly exceptional tutu garments, the perfect capsule wardrobe for any dancer. Available in a variety of styles – full-length classical, playful fairy, shorter contemporary. It's everything you could possibly want, and more. So if you find yourself in Taunton on a Tuesday, darling, don't forget to grab your most fabulous tutu and join in the fun. It's a day for embracing all things ballet, a day to be playful, a day to celebrate and enjoy, a day to break out those pointe shoes and dance around with a newfound sense of artistic expression. Who knew this little town had so much passion for dance? So if you find yourself in Somerset on a Tuesday, grab your tutu and head on down! Oh and do tag us on Instagram! We love seeing your creations, sharing them with our community. #tututuesday is an exciting space to connect and celebrate a universal love of dance, no matter your style, your skill, your experience, or even your location. The best part? This fabulous trend shows that dance is for everyone, anywhere, anytime. It's about spreading the joy and the love, it's about getting creative, about unleashing those inner ballet bunnies, and simply letting loose!