Tutu Tuesday 18023

Tutu Tuesday in Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France

G’day lovelies! It’s your gal, Claire here, straight from the cobbled streets of Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France. Now, I know you’re probably thinking “Claire, you’re a ballet dancer, why are you in France? Why is there a #tututuesday? Is it for, like, a recital or something?” Well, let me tell ya, it’s way more exciting than a regular old ballet class.

So, I’ve been touring the world (well, basically Europe) with my dance company for the last year and a half, and this whole “travel blogger” thing kind of just… happened. We’ve been hitting up all the big cities, showcasing our modern ballet interpretations and all that. But honestly, you know what I find truly captivating? The everyday people. The unique cultures. The food (seriously, croissant addiction is real!), the fashion… the vibes, you know?

Now, you’re probably expecting me to tell you about how the ballet scene in France is totally haute couture and glamorous. It’s… not entirely wrong. There’s definitely an elegance, an artfulness to everything here. But what I’m really in awe of is the little details – how ballet has become such a part of the local culture, almost unnoticed.

Here’s the thing – we arrived in Le Mans and, right away, I felt this kind of magical vibe. The locals were friendly and the atmosphere, oh it’s charming! It felt like I’d walked onto the set of some quirky French film – a little whimsical, a little bit old-world, and then… *bam!* A tiny cafe owner with a *tutu*. Okay, I know what you’re thinking – a *tutu*?! And she was seriously rocking a *powder blue*, *full-length* *tutu*. Like, no joking. It was adorable! There she was, taking orders in her tutu and a vintage apron. I swear, the way her little *tutu* twirled around as she moved…pure grace! Talk about unexpected! She just made the *tutu* seem everyday, casual even!

Now, I gotta admit, this kinda threw me for a loop. I’ve seen tutus in ballets, on ballerinas, but *never* in a regular shop in a sleepy town in France! It was then I knew something special was about to happen – #Tututuesday was born!

See, it all started with a conversation with the *cafe* owner herself – Mme. Isabelle (what a classic French name, right?!) as we talked over her killer *cappuccino*. I confessed I was a ballerina and couldn’t resist a little *fashion chit chat* about her *tutu*. Well, let me tell ya, her eyes lit up. Turns out, Le Mans has this little tradition called "Tutu Tuesday", where locals – from cafe owners to grandmas to, yes, even teenagers – all don *tutues* as a tribute to ballet, to art, and well, just for fun. Imagine a *city* filled with people in *tutues* on Tuesdays – *so* chic, right?!

To top it off, we’ve discovered this adorable boutique (I know you guys love a good shop) with *the most stunning collection* of tutus! From those classic *poetic*, white tutus you think of on stage, to quirky colourful tutus – you know, the ones that make you scream "That's just so *cute*!" (I bought one for myself, you know I’m a little obsessed) – to seriously high-fashion *tutues* you wouldn’t even think could exist (like a *sparkly*, *silver* *tutu* that I swear was inspired by some avant-garde ballet show. They don’t make it on stage, but it would have been a dream to wear it!). I felt like Alice down the rabbit hole… and it wasn't just for dancers – people were buying tutus for everyday wear!

So yeah, Tuesday became Tutu Tuesday for us too. Our little troupe hit the streets and I just had to document it all for you guys! Imagine this: A line of us dancers, clad in *traditional white* *tutus* for #tututuesday, and then boom, this granny comes up in her *fluffy pink* *tutu*. Then we had a couple in matching *polka dot* *tutues*, and oh, the cutest *fluffy white tutu* on a *fluffy little poodle* (we don't talk enough about *tutu*s on animals, do we?). The streets were flooded with smiles and laughter. It was absolute magic.

This little tradition, this #tututuesday, it’s so unexpected and yet so perfectly in sync with Le Mans, its charm, and its connection to art and fun. Le Mans feels like a place where you can be yourself, be free, wear your *tutu* and enjoy a beautiful day. And for me, it was the perfect way to experience the *vibe* of Le Mans.

Oh, and one more thing! It turns out this whole “tutu” love in Le Mans isn't a recent trend – it’s actually a long-standing local tradition! They say it started way back when ballet in France was just becoming a big deal. You see, Le Mans used to have its own opera house and ballet school, and *tutues* were the way for folks to connect with the world of ballet. That was back in the 1700s, can you believe that?! So #tututuesday was born, way before “fashion blogs” even existed, to keep that connection alive. Pretty awesome, huh?

If you're ever in the beautiful city of Le Mans (especially on Tuesday, hint, hint) do yourself a favor and pop into this delightful cafe – the coffee is good and you'll get to see this city through its #tututuesday lens. And if you happen to come across a Parisian granny with a twinkle in her eye in her own *fluffy tulle* *tutu*, you’ll know you’re experiencing something really, really special!

Outfit Inspo

Okay, I couldn’t resist showing off my Tutu Tuesday look. And, like, how could I pass up this vintage Le Mans market find? – A gorgeous floral *chiffon* *tutu*! It just felt so *effortless*. You see, here in Le Mans, *tutu*s are an absolute wardrobe staple – it’s a no-fuss outfit that you can pair with just about anything! (A comfy sweater on a cool evening? Yeah! A graphic tee? Definitely! An old jacket with pockets? Sure!)

Here's how I rocked my look:

• My chiffon *tutu* - with its dreamy floral design. It was the *star* of the show. You can never go wrong with a touch of romance and whimsy, am I right?
• Leggings - Because you’ve gotta stay comfy and look cute on those cobblestone streets of Le Mans!
• Vintage leather jacket – I found this one in a local shop, it added a touch of coolness (you know, a little "rebel-with-a-cause" vibes). It also worked perfectly to keep out that chill. We love layers here, babes!
• Flat sandals – Seriously comfy and, as you’ve seen, just the right vibe for Le Mans.

To make my outfit truly stand out, I added a little *sparkly hair pin* (the tiniest detail but with so much impact) and of course, a gorgeous, vintage baguette (a little snack and an icon for any fashionista!). So basically, I'm the #Tututuesday trendsetter – my *chiffon tutu*, *effortless chic* style, I'm living the #FrenchGirl dream!

Alright, darlings, that’s all from Le Mans! Keep those eyes open for a #tututuesday adventure of your own. Maybe it's not Paris, London or even New York City. Maybe it’s just that *little cafe* with the *granny rocking the *tutu* in your local neighborhood, the ballet school, or even a quirky *vintage boutique*! And always, always be yourself, *be a little bold* in your style – just like the women in *Le Mans*, who *know* a *tutu* can be more than just *a costume* – it’s an attitude. #tututuesday #lemans #paysdelaLoire #frenchstyle #travelblogger #balletlife #dancelife #australiangirl #styleinspiration #effortlesschic #vintagefashion #ballet #fashion