Tutu Tuesday 43

Tutu Tuesday in Colchester: A Celebration of Swirls and Sass! So, you're probably wondering why a grown woman is hopping around in a frilly, sparkly skirt. Let me explain. Today is *Tutu Tuesday*.
No, it's not a new government policy (though, I imagine some would find it quite *en pointe*) and it's definitely not something you'll find in your average diary planner. *Tutu Tuesday* is, for those of us who just love a bit of whimsy and fancy dress, an excuse to wear our most glamorous ballet gear - whether you're a professional dancer like me, or just someone who secretly dreams of leaping on to the stage and hitting those perfect fouettes (we've all been there).
Today I was particularly excited to embrace the day because I decided to finally take the plunge and wear a tutu, well, two actually, as part of my latest blog post, and in keeping with this very important Tuesday tradition.
You know, one of those beautiful **"classical tutus"**, as they're called in the ballet world, which involves more layers than your grandmother's Christmas cake (which is a good thing!). And just to keep things interesting, a cheeky **"pastel tutu"**, as I couldn’t help myself with the tulle layers – just picture a delicate lilac, pastel pink and azure tutu that wouldn't be out of place in a whimsical, ballet dream.
Colchester’s very own *Tutu Tuesday* really began for me after I read a *New York Times* article a while back about a new wave of **" tutu activism" ** which has been gathering pace, well, let’s say more so in the U.S. than in the UK so far, but that doesn't mean I won't do my best to change that. The piece went into the history of the *Tutu Tuesday* concept, linking it back to the pioneering suffragette movement of the early 20th century - specifically the colourful ** "dancing suffragettes"**, who in their elegant outfits were, for that time, rebels with a cause. They would march and dance, often disrupting meetings to promote their calls for the right to vote, for women to have equal access to education and careers. The *NY Times* article went on to talk about its modern-day iterations with ballet dancers from across the globe, using it as a platform for issues they're passionate about. The article mentioned one particular example, where a large group of American dancers used *Tutu Tuesday* as a rallying point, dressing in a colourful rainbow of **"romantic tutus" ** to demonstrate in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and the #MeToo movement, amongst other things, showing how the use of the tutu can be used to make a powerful, elegant statement about various societal and political matters. This concept really caught my imagination.
And, of course, Colchester, my lovely town, has its own important cultural heritage - for instance, the town has strong connections with a long military tradition and is often referred to as the * "capital of Roman Britain", * and I wanted to include a homage to the town's Roman legacy into my outfit choices. To achieve this I found the most perfect, ** "layered tutu"** with a unique vintage, silk design and subtle touches of gold that looked as though they’d been lovingly plucked from the pages of a *National Geographic * history documentary (that actually gave me quite a giggle at the time). And as the town’s castle grounds became my photo studio, the ancient Roman ruins became the perfect back-drop for my tutu photoshoot! I just wanted to get a * 'pinch-me' * moment going on there (although, let’s face it, this girl's more into being 'twirled' by this * 'pinch-me'* moment, really!). And speaking of which – just be sure to check out some of the tutu action that I caught on camera - I've been posting them on social media (including my favourite 'tutued-up' Roman ruin images)! I am all for embracing the power of the #tututuesday vibe!
When thinking of *Tutu Tuesday* in Colchester, there was a big "twirly-whirl" feeling in my 'dance-obsessed' mind that I just needed to bring to life with my photos – think colourful, fun, expressive images of an 'off-duty' ballerina making a little * "Tutu Tuesday " magic and spreading some positivity - you've just got to give it a try – it’s a sure-fire recipe for getting some attention from people - no matter what 'tutu' you choose to wear (and that includes some truly wonderful ‘casual’ tutus that are now readily available at any number of retailers!). I’m also feeling some serious ** "Victorian Tutu" ** vibes and that definitely puts me into the 'tutu' mood. So, my 'fashionably conscious’ friends, when it comes to *Tutu Tuesday* in Colchester, don’t just dream it, live it! Go on – you’ve got this. #tututuesday
Just remember: when it comes to *Tutu Tuesday* - we're not afraid to embrace our inner dancer - even if we're more * "dance-loving" than "dance-qualified " (you know, those of us who love to put on music in the privacy of our own home and do our thing, only to become instantly paralysed with fear when our friends mention the word 'performance'! Yes, I feel your pain). You see, there are no rules for *Tutu Tuesday* . In fact, for me, *Tutu Tuesday* is an excuse to let our creativity and love of movement run wild and enjoy our 'own personal style choices', however 'fabulous’ and 'whimsical ' that might be. Think of it as an opportunity to channel our inner child, embrace our 'serious side' - and, of course, to 'add some extra whimsy' to our wardrobes (it’s definitely been known to make a few heads turn!), but above all it's all about bringing a little bit of joy to the world – and what could be better than spreading some ‘ tutued up’ fun around the streets of Colchester, right? So go forth, fellow dancers – embrace the ‘ tutud-ness ‘ that is Tutu Tuesday!