Tutu Tuesday 206

Rainham Rocks Tutu Tuesday: A Ballet Blogger’s Diary Tutu Tuesday! The day that, for us ballet enthusiasts, marks the pinnacle of the week. And let me tell you, Rainham hasn't disappointed. The town has gone tutu crazy, and honestly, who could blame them? We're talking everything from classic romantic tutus - think delicate layers of tulle in blush pink or pale ivory - to dramatic, contemporary pieces that wouldn't be out of place in a modern dance performance. Let's face it, it's enough to make any ballet fan, even a seasoned professional like myself, go weak at the knees. Now, Rainham might not be known for its haute couture scene, but today, it was all about embracing our inner ballerina. Walking down the high street felt like being transported onto a stage. There was a whole lot of pink happening, from classic pink tulle tutus - that effortlessly make you feel like a delicate porcelain doll, to bolder pinks – think fuchsia and magenta - bringing a vibrant, edgy energy. One little darling I saw was wearing a lilac tulle tutu. It was perfectly puffed and full of whimsy, and matched with a tiny lilac floral print headband and a pair of pearly white ballerina flats – it was truly the picture of childhood innocence. The sweet outfit had the sweetest, most enthusiastic ballerina twirling on the pavement outside a local café. There was something about her joyous little ballet leaps and twirls that was simply magical! Speaking of whimsy, I did have to smile at the group of mums dressed in bright pink tulle tutus. Now, they were definitely not dancing, but they were sporting those "I've got a heart full of glitter" looks! Let's face it, if your child asks you to wear a tutu, who are you to refuse, right? I guess I would have made a rather fine sight wearing a tutu myself back in the day - I even remember my first one - a delicate pink number - although my days of pointe work are definitely long behind me. I’d love to think that if my parents had forced me into ballet in those formative years I might be gliding through The Royal Ballet in a pristine white tutu now, instead of rocking up at the local pub in a slightly dishevelled, black midi dress! #tututuesday #RainhamRocks Even some of the guys had gotten into the tutu spirit, sporting bright pink tutu's or bold black ones - the kind with that dramatic asymmetrical style - some were even rocking those mini skirts and, I can't lie, they definitely carried them with confidence, and frankly a lot more style than some of the blokes strutting their stuff in skinny jeans and trainers. What was wonderful was how there was a feeling of inclusivity - no one felt judged - and the atmosphere was electric, full of a very “come one come all” feel. It was about having fun and being a bit playful. That’s exactly what made Tutu Tuesday so special in Rainham – it wasn’t about being a hardcore ballet enthusiast, it was simply about getting involved and spreading some joyful energy into the world. But beyond the tutus, there was something deeper to this phenomenon - the joy of expressing ourselves and embracing a bit of lighthearted fun. Ballet isn’t always just about the graceful pirouettes and powerful leaps. Sometimes, it’s just about that moment of freedom and whimsy where your feet connect to the floor in a way that makes you want to dance with pure, unadulterated joy. And, in the heart of Rainham, for this magical #tututuesday, I got to share in that collective joy with hundreds of strangers who were feeling the exact same thing. What’s not to love about a day like this?! If you missed it, you can catch the best of #tututuesday on Instagram - because what is the internet for if it's not to share pictures of us wearing tulle and embracing our inner ballerinas? Rainham, I have to say, you definitely outdid yourself. You might be a little town but you’ve certainly shown that ballet can happen anywhere, and that’s the true spirit of Tutu Tuesday! And, as always, I've got a new ballet-inspired outfit ready for next week, because in this game, there's always something new to try out, especially if you're up for a bit of creative twirling! #tututuesday #RainhamRocks