Tutu Tuesday in Berri, South Australia #tututuesday
G’day, lovelies! It's your girl, Amelia here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina and chronicler of all things tulle and twirling. And guess what? Today's Tutu Tuesday, so you know what that means - it's time to embrace our inner ballerina, whether we’re seasoned pros or just starting out. We all know that tutu Tuesdays have been trending hard since, well, forever. The elegance, the sheer volume of tulle, the history. They truly represent the spirit of the ballerina in all of us. And let's face it, a tutu is just an excuse to twirl, right? No matter what your age or shape, it's about feeling like a princess (or a prince!) and owning it.
Now, I know Berri is far removed from the bustling heart of ballet in Melbourne and Sydney, but don’t let that stop you! It’s about spreading the love for ballet wherever we are and celebrating that timeless tradition of grace and beauty. The truth is, no matter where you live, you’ve got a ballerina in you!
Now, a bit about this week's Tutu Tuesday: This week, I'm focusing on those timeless tutus. You know, the ones that make you think of graceful ballerinas dancing through the mists of time, or, if we’re being realistic, probably, some of the iconic ballets you’ve seen on stage or screen. Here are a few iconic tutu styles we should all be embracing this Tuesday:
- The Romantic Tutu: Now this is my favourite, a signature, ultra-classic tutu with a single layer of delicate tulle that starts below the hips and flounces outwards with beautiful volume. We can't forget that the romantic era really defined what a tutu should be! These beautiful, light, wispy skirts are ethereal and are the perfect blend of sophistication and flirtation.
- The Tutu a la Française (or the 'Classical Tutu'): A tutu that was popular from the early 20th century and is still a classic. The classical tutu boasts a double layer of tulle, the shorter bottom layer made of more stiff, often starchy tulle that adds structure and shape while a top, more generous layer provides soft flowing movement, resulting in an impressive silhouette.
- The Tutu a la Russe (or the ‘Russian Tutu’): A ballerina’s ultimate, dream tutu (which we all secretly long for) a fluffy, larger tutu, featuring many tiers of tulle in various layers creating the iconic ballerina ‘poofy’ look. These are often layered in multiple shades of colour. It’s what we think of when we imagine the traditional ballet tutu and represents that classic romantic look. The bigger, the better!
- The Contemporary Tutu: Now, we are in the 21st century, the time for embracing change, and so we welcome contemporary tutus. These can often incorporate unexpected textures and cuts like neoprene or sheer, transparent panels. Often more streamlined and even layered on leggings, or using different lengths of fabric to move away from that traditional ballerina shape, they reflect how ballet itself has moved away from the ‘classical’ and toward the modern.
Now I know many of you have been feeling inspired this Tuesday and are wondering how to go about bringing these to life. But don't think it's all about the ‘big-name brands’ - you can make your own tutu at home using some of the DIY methods circulating online or buy one for an absolute steal. Get creative. Maybe try your local costume hire shop, check second-hand retailers, look for vintage finds, and hey, if nothing else - use tulle from some old curtains you've been wanting to chuck out! Just go for it!
This is what Tutu Tuesday is all about, embrace that little girl inside who dreamt of twirling, put your tutus on, dance like no one's watching (or better yet, watch yourself dance on your smartphone and embrace the video! You never know where it will take you), and just let your imagination run wild! So tell me, my fellow dancers, what will you be twirling in this week?
Tag your snaps on Instagram with #tututuesday. Tag us @amelia_ballerina_berri and you might even find yourself featured! Until next week, lovelies, remember: never stop twirling!