East Kilbride's Tutu Tuesday: A Whirlwind of Dance and Fashion
It's Tuesday, which means it's officially Tutu Tuesday! And I'm not just talking about any Tuesday, but the most spectacular Tutu Tuesday ever. I'm in East Kilbride, a town known more for its sprawling housing estates and shopping centres than for its fashion scene. But today, the streets of East Kilbride are alive with twirling and tutus! Iāve come to discover how this small Scottish town embraces dance and fashion with open arms (and a whole lot of tulle).
My first stop was the heart of the town centre, where a pop-up shop called āThe Tutu Emporiumā had set up. The shop window was a vision in pink, overflowing with every colour and style of tutu imaginable: classical romantic tutu, the sassy mini tutu, and the billowing layered tutus fit for a ballerina goddess. Itās the kind of shop that could send any dancer, even one as seasoned as me, into a giddy frenzy. I mean, just look at this one!
I grabbed a vibrant red, classic Romantic Tutu with its sweeping tiers and delicate straps that brought out a vintage dancer in me.
Walking down the streets, I saw every corner was celebrating this ballet-inspired day. Children pranced down the high street in fluffy tutus, holding their grandmasā hands while dads videoed every move. Parents with newborn babies pushed them along in tutus, little legs still discovering their legs, little tutus made for special occasions. I think it was a sight the world hadnāt witnessed before.
As I moved further in, a group of women, probably in their 50s and 60s, had set up a makeshift dance studio in the middle of the pedestrian precinct. The crowd watched, mesmerised, as they moved through a routine of graceful movements and fluid steps, each with a graceful yet playful flare. These were definitely not amateur dancers, with synchronized steps in time with each other as the air rippled around them from their swirling tutus.
The energy was contagious, and before I knew it, I was twirling with them. There was something so freeing about wearing a tutu and moving my body with abandon, and this community embrace made me forget that Iām in the heart of East Kilbride and not some glamorous studio.
One of the women, with a silver glitter tutu and fiery hair that swirled like a hurricane with her pirouettes, told me this started a few years back, where people simply wanted to celebrate dance in its purest form, but the movement had caught on with a contagious sense of playfulness. I learned the women have turned a part of this local weekly farmer's market into a dedicated "Tutu Corner" where they exchange sewing techniques, talk fashion trends for the tutus, and inspire a new generation of aspiring ballerinas.
Later, at the "East Kilbride Ballerina Tea Party" I witnessed tutu-clad little girls (with even tinier tutus for their teddies), giggling and sharing sweets. Theyād brought their toy ballerina dolls as well, adorned in tiny ballet slippers and a variety of styles, including the more popular tutus, like the demi-pointe. This is the magic that Tutu Tuesday creates in East Kilbride.
In fact, East Kilbride's embrace of dance and fashion has had a surprising effect. A local fashion boutique called "The Fabric House," inspired by Tutu Tuesday, has created a new collection inspired by ballet: "En Pointe." These include simple, classic-styled dresses in elegant black, chic midi skirts, flowing chiffon tops, and bold statement blouses with embellishments.
As for me, my experience with Tutu Tuesday in East Kilbride has been a joy from start to finish. Iāve fallen for a new favorite place in Scotland. While we usually associate dance and tutus with elegance and refinement, East Kilbride's embrace of the theme adds a special charm - a playful touch of unbridled joy to what is often a serious discipline. The tutus were not just a costume but an outward expression of their inner spirit and creativity.
So, whether you are a seasoned ballerina, an aspiring dancer, or simply someone who enjoys twirling around in a tutu, I urge you to check out Tutu Tuesday in East Kilbride! Letās add another spin to the day of joy with these. It might just surprise you! Don't forget to check out #tututuesday!
Tutu Tuesday highlights:
- Pop-up "Tutu Emporium" - A must-visit shop in East Kilbride.
- "Tutu Corner" at the local farmer's market where they share their passion and learn sewing techniques.
- "East Kilbride Ballerina Tea Party" - For all the tiny ballerinas out there!
- Local fashion boutique's collection - The Fabric House, inspired by Tutu Tuesday!.
- "En Pointe" - A chic new ballet-inspired collection!
- Join the movement: #tututuesday