Tutu Tuesday 632

Finchley Tutu Tuesday: A Celebration of Dance and Fashion Ah, Finchley, my haven of tutus and tea. Yes, you heard it right! Tutu Tuesday has officially landed in the quaint, charming town of Finchley, a delightful borough in North London that always seems to be steeped in tradition, but is bursting with modern style, just like my favourite ballet tutus. Now, you'll be forgiven for thinking this is some kind of sartorial joke, but this trend is not about tutu wearing every day - well, it kinda is but actually, not really. It’s more of a feel-good, let’s express ourselves kind of affair. This week, however, it feels particularly special for me. It's an official acknowledgement, a little celebration of the magical power of dance and its graceful embrace of fashion. For those of you new to the world of #tututuesday, here’s the gist: every Tuesday, in Finchley and beyond, people of all ages and shapes put on their favourite tutu - you know, the ones you've been wanting to wear but haven't had an excuse for. And guess what? It's glorious. No, really. We all just wear a tutu. I even met a guy wearing one last week and I have to say, he rocked it. Honestly, there's a real spirit of acceptance that makes Finchley feel more like a dance class and less like a tube station - well, less like it does during peak hour at least. Here's how #Tututuesday began, for those of you in the back. This little revolution was actually birthed in our own beloved Finchley, thanks to my dearest friend and fellow ballet nut, Olivia. Olivia's been teaching ballet for years, but last year she felt that we were forgetting how fun dance really is. She was concerned that our anxieties and pressures of everyday life were somehow keeping us from the carefree enjoyment of a good pirouette. So, one sunny Tuesday, in an effort to add a bit of glitter and joy into the week, Olivia wore a sparkling tutu to a shopping trip to Tesco. She couldn't have guessed the impact she'd make. A fellow Finchley resident who happened to be a local newspaper journalist spotted her. That little bit of sparkly inspiration caught his attention and next thing we knew, we were being featured in the Finchley & Barnet Times. The story resonated with locals who were missing the days of carefree abandon, with many of them confessing to keeping their tutus stored under the stairs - just like the dancing queen's outfits in Mamma Mia - so they could reminisce on their past dance glory days. So, one story led to another and that’s when #tututuesday was born. It started off slowly, a quiet movement among those who craved a bit of theatrical joy, and of course, all of us passionate dance enthusiasts were onboard. As we donned our tutus, we felt something magical happening - like we were reclaiming our love for dance and for the pure, innocent delight that wearing a tutu could evoke. The Finchley crowd was instantly charmed and as word spread, even the most reticent folk couldn't help but embrace their inner child. And as Olivia would say, a child wearing a tutu can melt even the coldest of hearts! So what are the Tutu trends we are seeing in Finchley this week? Well, Olivia says the best part of Tutu Tuesday is seeing the diversity of styles. Personally, my wardrobe leans toward the classic, romantic and even ethereal styles. It's the traditional ballet tutus - like the ones you'd expect to see at the Bolshoi Theatre - that get me going. • **The Romantic Tutu:** You know, the big, airy, wispy kind with a beautiful tulle skirt and bodice that falls to your ankles - reminiscent of those tutus from Swan Lake that truly elevate you above the ground, literally! The romantic tutu is, let's face it, a classic and it just always brings out my inner princess. If you're in doubt, this one always does the trick, for its fairytale elegance makes you feel like you're gliding on a cloud of silk! • **The Pastel Tutu:** This tutu style has me going absolutely ga-ga for the delicate loveliness. A gentle ballet rose or delicate powder blue is a truly stunning way to add that touch of ballerina-in-bloom vibes. Pastel tutus seem to ooze femininity, a sense of elegance and grace. I am, after all, a bit of a dreamer, and they suit my whimsical nature, just perfect for when you want to float on air but prefer to have your feet grounded. • **The Ethereal Tutu:** For those who aren’t scared to go all out for their Tutu Tuesday look. This style takes classic romanticism to a whole new level. The ethereal tutu isn't just for dancers; it's a magical, almost fantastical way of making an impression. Its light as air, almost transparent appearance and luxurious textures, like soft gauze or fine silk, seem to disappear into the clouds of dreamy beauty. It evokes a sense of magic and mystery and makes you feel like a delicate porcelain doll come to life! Olivia's Tutu Tuesday has certainly stirred up excitement in Finchley and people are embracing their personal interpretations, pushing creative boundaries! As a proud dance enthusiast and a firm supporter of all things sparkly, I can safely say that Tutu Tuesday has brought a special, joyful energy to the streets of Finchley, proving that a simple tutu can unite us, encourage creativity, and leave us all smiling and twirling. Finchley’s Fashionistas & The #Tututuesday Phenomenon Now, of course, #Tututuesday has given us the perfect excuse to talk about the amazing dance fashion styles being spotted throughout Finchley. The local shops are going all out for Tutu Tuesday, as well, and it is creating a wonderful buzz, putting Finchley on the map! And let's not forget that all these fabulous Tutu Tuesday outfits give a glimpse into how some Finchley ladies really like to get dolled up! * Let’s talk about Mrs. Thornton, a charming pensioner from Finchley who took the whole tutu craze to another level - her tutu was entirely crocheted! She even knitted the flowers for her headband in coordinating colours. Mrs. Thornton reminded me of a real-life grandma ballerina with a quirky side - she’s a truly inspiring lady, that one. * **On Monday, we’re meeting with the young owner of the quirky Finchley boutique, 'Tutus and Treats' which was the brainchild of 20 year-old Florence - quite the budding entrepreneur! Florence is definitely the one to watch - she's reimagining tutus into fashion pieces that would make even Dita Von Teese envious. She's definitely not afraid to challenge the traditional, her pieces blend vintage inspired cuts with ultra-modern textures and metallic colours and have already been spotted on many of London’s social media stars - and now, on your favourite ballet blogger! * I also bumped into Mr. Smith, the gentleman we all love to watch walk down the street with a spring in his step, who showed us that he, too, is a proud #tututuesday supporter! The fact that Mr. Smith was seen sporting his sparkly pink tutu just to take his dachshund for a walk speaks volumes about the positive spirit that this movement has created. We need to start giving him tips - the guy clearly knows how to make a tutu work. So, in Finchley this week, we have everything you could possibly want from a vibrant dance and fashion celebration: glitzy tutus, vintage styles, bold new creations, quirky crocheted styles and gentlemen wearing tutu. And while the tutus might seem unusual, they’ve become an important way for the people of Finchley to express their individuality and creativity - to celebrate our shared love of dance and fashion and let’s not forget, our mutual admiration of Finchley's little bit of magic. Let's keep those twirls coming! I must say, the most amazing part of #tututuesday is seeing people who normally wouldn’t even dream of putting on a tutu - those people who see a bit of magic, a hint of lighthearted fun, and decide to throw caution to the wind and just join in. Now, what can be more beautiful than that? #tututuesday is for the whimsical, for the lovers of twirls and grace, and those who believe that a little bit of whimsy can make the world a much brighter, more inspiring place. #tututuesday #Finchley #BalletBlogger