Ā 

Tutu Tuesday in New Maryland, New Brunswick: A Ballet Bloggerā€™s Guide to Twirling in Style Itā€™s Tutu Tuesday, my fellow dance enthusiasts! And, if youā€™re reading this, you know what that means: itā€™s time to dust off those tutus and celebrate all things twirl-worthy. But before you go grabbing the first tulle skirt you can find, letā€™s get real for a sec: thereā€™s a whole lot more to tutus than meets the eye, and, when youā€™re rocking the tutu, itā€™s not just about the skirt; itā€™s about how it makes you feel. Iā€™m Emma, a ballet dancer and fashion blogger based in New Brunswick, Canada, and Iā€™m absolutely in love with all things tutu. The right tutu is not just a skirt. Itā€™s a costume. Itā€™s a statement. It's a symbol of grace, strength, and artistry. So let's explore what's out there and make #TutuTuesday even more spectacular. Letā€™s Get Classical: The Ballet Tutu, From Romantic to Modern When we think of a tutu, the classic image of a short, fluffy, white skirt springs to mind, right? And thereā€™s good reason. This iconic look, often called the *Romantic Tutu* or the *Paganini Tutu*, was born in the Romantic era of ballet and has been synonymous with the art form ever since. They're typically made of multiple layers of tulle with a stiffened bodice thatā€™s meant to accentuate the lines of the dancer's body, giving that breathtaking, floaty feel we associate with ballet. However, the world of ballet, and the tutu world, hasnā€™t stayed static. We have different styles to match different performances and express different themes. The *Classical Tutu* is one style. In a classic tutu, layers are often more contained, the skirt is slightly longer, the shape tends towards more conical, and there might be layers of fabric that go beyond just tulle. It might be stiffened a bit more and even have layers of soft fabrics on top for a dramatic look. These tutus can be elegant and ethereal and a symbol of a more established style. Then there's the *Modern Tutu* and *Contemporary Tutu*, which often play with the classic tutu style, pushing the boundaries of shape, volume and colour. These tutus are more focused on flexibility, incorporating fabrics like stretch satin and mesh, so dancers can move freely without the stiff constraints of the old style. In other words: these are the fun and versatile tutus. They might look similar to their classical counterparts but have a distinctly modern aesthetic, and that can encompass all kinds of shapes and sizes - from sleek and streamlined to long, billowing skirts that sweep the floor. Itā€™s up to the choreographer to find a tutu that expresses the essence of the story and style theyā€™re presenting. The "Street Style" Tutu: Because Your Passion Doesn't End On Stage Letā€™s be honest: a tutu's not just for dancing, right? I wear mine offstage all the time, especially on Tuesdays, to showcase my ballet love and express my passion for this amazing form of art. I even consider it to be my own, individual style of *street style*, something I like to refer to as ā€œTutu Streetwear.ā€ Think tutu-inspired trends that can bring your everyday style up a notch. Itā€™s all about taking that classic tutu silhouette and re-imagining it for the streets of Canada, whether it be in New Brunswick or Quebec City! Letā€™s chat about some tutu street wear inspo: The Tutu-Inspired Skirt: The easiest way to get your Tutu Tuesday vibe on! Short and full with tulle fabric is classic, but you can experiment with lengths. A longer tutu skirt with more fabric gives a more graceful vibe, whereas a shorter, ruffled tutu-inspired skirt with an a-line silhouette looks absolutely perfect with a sleek sweater and boots. Just make sure to pick fabrics and colors that suit your style! The Tutu-Inspired Dress: Need a whimsical, elegant statement? Enter the Tutu dress. Find a dress that has a similar silhouette to the tutu. This can range from full, layered skirts to a slim, flowy bodice that emphasizes that delicate ballerina look. Add a statement necklace and a classic clutch, and youā€™re ready for an elegant event! The Tutu-Inspired Top: Go for a crop top that uses the same layers of fabric as a tutu to recreate that airy and elegant ballerina vibe, especially with an asymmetrical or a layered design that gives you a statement piece you can pair with leggings, denim shorts, or your favorite trousers. The Tutu-Inspired Accessories: Here's where you can get playful! Tutu-inspired accessories include headbands, hair clips, and bags featuring the signature tutu style - all ready to make a bold fashion statement without wearing a tutu in the classic sense. These elements add a subtle touch of ballerina-chic without going full-on stage. The Canadian Angle: Balletā€™s Rise and Fall and the Need for Revival Talking tutus reminds me about a bit of Canadian history. We've had some great ballerinas grace Canadian stages, with companies like The National Ballet of Canada leading the way for decades. And letā€™s not forget Les Grands Ballets Canadiens! But it's important to talk about ballet in Canada honestly - it's gone through its ups and downs in terms of visibility. As we embrace Tutu Tuesday and ballet, we have to address how Canadian ballet sometimes faces financial challenges, the need to grow and evolve audiences, and finding ways to connect with younger generations who might not automatically think of ballet as part of their everyday life. We see an evolution with dance trends, with more of a street culture angle, hip hop, and contemporary fusion movements - and those styles absolutely belong on the stage. But itā€™s vital to see more awareness of classic ballet, the tutus, the history of the art, and what those companies do on and off stage to develop and nourish talent. I think about how balletā€™s unique beauty and graceful power connect us on a universal level. This means keeping a light on the traditions, ensuring those passionate about classical and traditional ballet get their turn to perform and, importantly, helping audiences embrace those graceful stories that are born and lived out on the stage. Tutu Tuesday In New Maryland, New Brunswick: Embrace the Passion for Dancing As a passionate dancer, blogger, and fashion enthusiast living in New Brunswick, Iā€™m incredibly excited to be in New Maryland today. My hometown, New Maryland, might not be the first place people think of when they think of ballet, but I truly believe this place is where Iā€™ve been given a space to express my creativity and passion, to discover how ballet connects with everything from fashion to personal expression. So let's bring it all together for Tutu Tuesday! Grab that classic white tutu, explore a colorful one, or even give a ā€œTutu Streetwearā€ look a shot, and get ready for a fabulous Tuesday. Whatever you choose, I encourage you to channel the spirit of a ballerina, embrace the grace and power that lie within you. After all, even a small town can have a grand celebration! #Tututuesday #NewMarylandNB