Tutu Tuesday in Bois-d'Arcy, ÃŽle-de-France, France #tututuesday
G'day from Paris, my darlings! Today's a special day, because it's Tutu Tuesday, and let me tell you, I'm living my best life in the heart of this magical city! I just know my Parisian friends will get a kick out of me bringing this Aussie tradition to their doorstep.
It's time for some serious tutu appreciation! While the fashion scene here in France is all about chic, sophisticated silhouettes, the Parisian tutus definitely make their own statement. And by "tutus", I don't just mean the classic pancake tutus you see at every ballet performance. Nope, it's a whole spectrum, from those frothy Romantic tutus straight outta Giselle to those super structured and sleek tutus that were the pride of the 20th century, and even those experimental, modern tutus pushing the boundaries of dance wear.
Think classic, frilly, Romantic tutus fit for a fairy princess; dramatic, feathered, dramatic, and ethereal, or modern-day minimalism in tutus made of the most unusual textures and materials.
My morning started at the ballet studio here in Bois-d'Arcy. This part of ÃŽle-de-France has such a vibrant dance scene! It was a buzz of energy as dancers of all levels were preparing for their classes and rehearsals, and every little girl, I swear, seemed to have her own tutu packed for class! We were talking serious, hand-me-down, "been-worn-by-a-hundred-dancers" family heirlooms, or those sleek modern, ready-to-go competition tutus that practically glow. Seeing this love for ballet was contagious! I even got to try on some old-school, antique tutus for the ages that the studio keeps as their pride and joy, for costume making workshops! Talk about a flashback to the good old days.
The day has flown by in a whirl, a literal whirlwind of tulle and sequins as I danced the day away with a private ballet teacher here in Bois-d'Arcy. I swear, she could turn a simple barre exercise into a masterpiece of beauty, and that's saying something because I can only make my simple plies look vaguely like the thing! It was incredible, the way she taught - all fluid and passionate movements, no wonder they are such exceptional dancers here!
But the best part about Tutu Tuesday in Paris, is that even if you're not a dancer, you can embrace the day in any way you like! Just a simple pair of tulle-embellished socks, a floral print dress with a puff skirt or a sprinkle of sparkly accessories – the Parisian style is definitely about a dash of whimsy! There’s even a cafe just off Place de la Concorde which has a killer tutu-themed croissant pastry!
I am so full of Parisian inspiration after spending just this one day with the locals and I’m dying to come back. Here's a little #tututuesday action, for those who love their Instagram feed and ballet even more:
- Snap yourself doing your favourite dance moves, tutu optional! But highly encouraged!
- Strike a pose by a statue of a ballerina. (If you're not sure, a statue of a beautiful woman with a flowing skirt could be a ballerina) 😉
- Don't forget the #tututuesday hashtag, and maybe throw in some Parisian charm like #parisianlife and #france
Until next time, from the City of Love, where tutus reign supreme, Au Revoir!