Tutu Tuesday in Howard, Queensland #tututuesday
G'day lovelies! It's Tutu Tuesday here in Howard, Queensland, and you know what that means… time to dust off my favourite tutu! For those of you new to my little corner of the internet, #tututuesday is a weekly celebration of all things tutus. It’s a time to show off your fabulous tutu creations, inspire fellow tutu lovers, and spread a bit of tutu magic. Today's post is all about tutus, the quintessential ballet wear, and the beauty that they hold.
As a dancer myself, tutus are a massive part of my life. You just can't talk about ballet without bringing up the tutu. The iconic tutu. We see them all the time from those sparkly romantic tutus, to the powerful tutu, often called a “classical tutu” for the big productions. It’s just iconic and they truly bring a ballet to life!
Speaking of iconic tutus, have you seen the designs we’ve been seeing from The Australian Ballet, or the Sydney Dance Company. They really go all out for some of their productions with some truly showstopping tutus! We’ve got to hand it to our talented Aussie designers and their eye for creating stunning tutu designs, whether for traditional, contemporary or modern works. We can be very proud of how we contribute to the world of dance with some seriously striking, innovative designs.
I feel pretty lucky to be a dancer here in Australia because the ballet community here is really special. We’ve got lots of world-class productions and ballet schools popping up all the time, with great support for emerging and up-and-coming young dancers. We are one lucky bunch!
Anyway, back to tutus. They really are more than just dance wear – they’re a symbol of grace, elegance, and the pure joy of dance. No matter what your style, there’s a tutu out there just for you! If you’re on the hunt for a tutu or a fun costume idea, you can definitely check out Etsy. There are loads of talented creators and sellers making some really amazing and affordable tutus, including custom-made ones for every occasion! Just pop "tutu" into your Etsy search bar.
There’s a tutu for every occasion!
* **Romantic tutus:** These soft, airy and delicate tutus are perfect for graceful performances. With layered, flowy fabric, they create an ethereal, almost dreamlike appearance. They can come in beautiful colours and be designed with sparkly fabrics. You will often see them with embellishments like lace, tulle and ruffles and feathers.
* **Classical tutus:** As I mentioned earlier these are also called “powerful” tutus because of their rigid silhouette that is very structured. Their short, stiff construction gives a very dynamic and sharp visual for any dance performance, and can sometimes be referred to as the “traditional” or “classical” tutu. They often have a cone-shaped design made with layers of stiff tulle or netting, creating a grand and elegant statement. There is a reason you will often see classical ballet tutus at major productions or gala events because of their imposing elegance, especially when they have more elaborate and detailed ornamentation, for example with sequins, beads or crystals!
* **Contemporary tutus:** Now these aren’t strictly confined to classical styles like the two tutu types mentioned above. Contemporary tutus embrace the fluidity of contemporary dance with more flowing fabrics, offering movement with graceful flexibility. I personally find this one interesting because, for some, a contemporary tutu will still include some traditional tutu-esque styling in a more modern look, so you will sometimes see the classic tulle used but in a very freeform and minimalist style!
* **Everyday tutus:** Okay, here is the big one. There are loads of people out there that embrace tutu style for daily wear. Who says we can't have a bit of tulle or tutus in our wardrobe as an everyday look? There are fun little skirt-like tutu outfits out there that can be very casual. The great thing about these styles is the variety available. I like some of the skater skirts that look like a short tutu in a playful way for casual looks. It is a really versatile style of everyday clothing and makes you stand out a bit!
How to Style Your Tutu:
* **Add some layers** So the great thing about tutus is you can always add to your outfit and still look really chic, even with the tulle! For those classic ballet-inspired tutus or contemporary looks you can always add some extra fabric or a contrasting top. A soft cotton top for the classic and a flowy shirt for the contemporary look, is very effective, adding another layer and interesting shape to your look. It’s amazing what you can do to spice things up without compromising on your chicness!
* **Accessorise Here's your chance to show your inner fashionista! Think headbands, hair bows, ballet slippers, scarves and fun jewellery like colourful beaded bracelets. The possibilities are endless with this. Don’t go overboard! This should compliment your look not overwhelm it. The tutus have already done the hard work for you!
* **Be bold!** Go out there and let your creativity flourish. Tutues offer endless creative options - so go ahead, add some colour to your look and experiment until you discover a look that is as unique and dazzling as you are!
I hope I have inspired you to join in on the #tututuesday fun! Post your gorgeous photos of you wearing your fav tutus on your social media, don’t forget to tag me! Have a happy #tututuesday everyone and keep those creative juices flowing!