Tutu Tuesday in Cramlington: A Whirlwind of Tulle and #tututuesday
It's Tuesday, which can only mean one thing - Tutu Tuesday! As a dancer and a self-proclaimed tutu enthusiast, I live for this day. A day to celebrate the fluffy, ethereal, and utterly fabulous tutu. But today's Tutu Tuesday was a little different. I wasn't twirling on stage, I was twirling through Cramlington!
I’ve always found Cramlington to be a little... beige. Think neutral tones, a little understated. So imagine my surprise when I discovered a secret society of Tutu enthusiasts living and breathing tulle right under my nose! My friend Lucy (who you might know from my last post about my trip to the ballet) told me all about a little independent store tucked away in Cramlington called “Tutu Heaven.” Now, I know what you’re thinking – a shop dedicated solely to tutus? You bet! Apparently, it's been a local legend for years, stocked with everything from classic Romantic tutus with layers and layers of tulle, perfect for those pirouettes, to funky modern tutus with bursts of colour, perfect for a bit of urban dance expression.
Now, I’m a firm believer that a tutu is more than just a costume – it’s an art form! It’s about expression, about showcasing your personality through the movement and flow of fabric. So you can imagine my excitement when I walked into Tutu Heaven and was greeted with a wall of vibrant colour, all different shapes and sizes of tulle. I could see a whole story unfolding in each design - tales of swans, sugar plums, fairies and everything in between!
The owner, a delightful woman named Mrs. Thompson, had been sewing and designing tutus since she was a girl. She had a real passion for her work, and her love for all things tutu was infectious. It felt like stepping back in time. She showed me her incredible collection, from a beautiful, traditional "Romantic" tutu with a gorgeous scalloped, tiered bodice - perfect for a ballerina looking for that classic, ethereal vibe, to some modern marvels in vibrant colours, ideal for contemporary pieces. One particularly striking piece featured a multitude of geometric layers, in an abstract explosion of yellow and crimson, something right out of a street dance choreography. There were also pieces that blurred the lines between tutu and contemporary dress, with asymmetric styles and clever use of textures.
My shopping spree went something like this:
- First, I tried on a classically elegant Romantic tutu with a shimmering tulle overskirt - this was for my own private Swan Lake moment. Let's just say my living room got an unexpected upgrade.
- I then picked up a bold and modern “urban” style tutu – its contrasting textures and jagged edges were simply begging to be twirled in the street, perhaps even a bit of a parkour routine thrown in, if I felt up for the challenge!
- And of course, I couldn't leave without getting a classic ‘50s tutu with the short frilly skirt – perfect for adding a touch of whimsical retro to an otherwise dull day.
It was an absolute delight to find such a hidden treasure in the seemingly ordinary town of Cramlington. Mrs. Thompson, a master of all things tulle, also offered custom design services! So if you ever need a tutu that fits your dream perfectly, she is the one to see.
So, Cramlington, you might not think of yourself as a hotbed of fashion, but you certainly surprised me today. Tutu Heaven is a testament to the fact that style can be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places. I leave Cramlington today, tutu-clad and heart full, spreading the message of #tututuesday to all!