Tutu Tuesday in Yamba, New South Wales: A Day of Whimsy and Twirls #tututuesday

Hey everyone! It's your girl, Ellie, back with another post from sunny Yamba, NSW. You know how much I love my ballet – it's my life, my passion, my everything. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good tutu? So, imagine my excitement when I heard about this rad little trend popping up: Tutu Tuesday!

For those who haven't heard, Tutu Tuesday is a day where we celebrate the magic of the tutu. It's a day to ditch the jeans, grab your fanciest skirt, and unleash your inner ballerina. And guess what? Yamba embraced it wholeheartedly. It was like something out of a fairytale!

I woke up bright and early, ready to hit the streets in my favourite pink and white tutu. You know, the classic, romantic, full-length, with a little bit of sparkle, perfect for showing off those fancy pirouettes. This one is super special to me - it was a gift from my grandma, a former ballerina herself! My look was completed with a comfy white cotton t-shirt, a pair of cute white sneakers, and a bright pink flower crown - because let's be honest, who doesn't love a bit of whimsicalness? I was ready to dance my way through the day!

First stop: the local café. The barista gave me the biggest smile, even taking a few snaps with her phone! And wouldn’t you know it – I spotted a group of mums wearing tutus too, rocking their adorable little bundles in carrier-tutus. They were totally owning it! One of them even told me she’d never thought she’d see the day when tutus became "street wear"! She said the little ones had had a ball trying to learn a few twirls. It was all a bit hilarious really!

From there, I strolled along the beach. I love the feeling of sand between my toes, even more so when I'm wearing a tutu. It felt liberating! As I strolled past the Yamba lighthouse, I caught a glimpse of a couple having a picnic in the dunes. Guess what? They were wearing tutus too! I guess Yamba had become a magical Tutu Land for the day. The man in the tutu even struck a pose for a photo when I asked! I just had to ask if it was his favourite, because his choice of a short, simple black tulle tutu and black leggings with a t-shirt gave me serious envy for a more classic yet edgy look. Turns out, they had planned the day with this in mind! It's good to know love comes in a tutu too, even in a charming town like Yamba!

My walk along the beach took me to the Yamba Markets. It was an absolute riot of color! There were colourful stalls, delicious street food, live music, and even a few tutu-clad shoppers! There were a few variations - a bunch of girls were sporting these short and sassy tutus which just added a playful vibe to the look. One girl in a pink sequin number was a real head-turner. These were clearly the go-to for "serious fashion," and I gotta admit, it definitely made me wish I'd packed a few more tutus!

My day continued with a dance session with a bunch of local kids who are in a community dance class in Yamba. It was so much fun teaching them some ballet basics and having a laugh together. They loved my tutu! Of course I gave them a little ballet lesson: "Échappé!", "à la seconde!", "relevé!", you name it. We ended up with a little impromptu performance for a crowd who just so happened to pass by, who gave us a huge round of applause!

As the sun set on Yamba, it cast a warm, golden glow on the town. I watched a few local ballerinas rehearsing by the beach - they are aiming for the biggest dance performance in the state! And I couldn't help but think about the special place ballet has in Australia. From the world-renowned Australian Ballet to the countless smaller studios and communities all over the country, the love for this art form is truly widespread. It's something we should all be proud of.

And that brings me back to Tutu Tuesday. It's more than just a trend – it's a reminder that ballet isn't just for the stage, it’s for everyone! It’s a chance to connect with our inner grace and express our unique personalities through movement, style, and of course, that most magical of dance wear: the tutu! We have to thank the Australian love for dancing for spreading the word about Tutu Tuesday and all that goes with it. It’s been a huge day in Yamba!

I urge everyone to try it out next Tuesday - ditch the jeans, wear a tutu, embrace the whimsicalness, and let the twirling begin! Don't forget to post your Tutu Tuesday pics on social media and tag #tututuesday.

Until next time, Keep twirling, Ellie