Tutu Tuesday 8086

Burton upon Trent - Tutu Tuesday

It’s Tutu Tuesday, babes, and the streets of Burton upon Trent are practically bursting with tulle. I mean, you’d think I was in Covent Garden! Today is all about embracing the feminine, the whimsical, the frilly, the, well, *tutu*!

Let’s be real, the iconic tutu is a piece of dance history, it’s not just for ballerinas anymore. But honestly, have you ever *really* looked at a tutu? I'm talking closer than that awkward moment with your dance partner's outstretched arm during your first ballet class. Because these things are works of art, my darlings!

From the delicate, romantic whisper of a Romantic tutu to the glorious, statement-making grandeur of a classical tutu, the choices are pretty much limitless! You want to feel like a ballerina in your everyday life? Then you’ve got the right idea, but let’s be honest, you can’t just wear the standard pointe-shoe-worthy ones on the street. And there’s an art to making that choice, don’t you think?

Some things to consider before you embrace your Tutu Tuesday in Burton upon Trent:

• Occasion - Are you going to a birthday party? Out to a concert? On a romantic date night? All these factors are important! And I, for one, will never understand the people who think "everyday wear" is suitable for just a standard plain tee shirt, ripped jeans and white trainers.
• Length - That’s right, because a shorter, wispy tutu might work for cocktails, whereas something more elegant and floor-sweeping (imagine a ballerina in Giselle's white costume, those are the vibes) is more for a special event. The more flow and volume, the more glamorous, right?
• Layers - Layers in tulle are everything, my dears. Think delicate, gauzy fabric with strategically placed layering. I am, of course, thinking about layers that gently add to your stature, rather than being so thick it takes a wind machine to make it budge. I can only imagine how that would feel, but perhaps it's better suited to stage practice, and, well, for when you *are* a dancer! I imagine having to be carefully picked up by the dance coach just so he/she can *adjust* the skirt (let’s be honest, there are many tutu skirts which wouldn’t let us fit through an entrance!).
• Colour - Go for colour, it's your chance to really express yourself! But don't overdo it. Choose one, two, maybe three maximum! My favourite is white (the original ballet tutu after all). Oh and pastel shades with sequins are pretty gorgeous too. (And don't be shy about black, as some think it's more for *real* dance and a black, long, romantic-esque tutu has its own special magic.
• Accessories - No Tutu Tuesday is complete without the right accessories! Sparkly shoes or sandals, chunky heels for a little *extra* - all your favorite go-to shoes are good. But don’t go overboard with other sparkly additions - we’re going for glamorous chic, not a stage set.

I mean, Burton upon Trent may be known for its brewing, but, when it comes to a little tutu-ed magic on Tuesday, we’re absolutely on top form. #TutTuesday is not just a trend, it’s a *mood*, a *statement*, an excuse to have fun with fashion! And the beauty of a tutu is its *adaptability* for all styles, even my personal, “casual but chic”. So you don’t even need to be an *actual* ballet dancer to pull this off. Even those ladies who *would* *never* consider dance will at least appreciate seeing someone rocking it!

So what am I wearing today?

Because there’s really only one way to go. Today is about feeling that classic dancer-meets-style girl in a black tutu with little to no glitter, but a whole load of flow. I paired it with an off-white top, and black stiletto sandals - those iconic little toe peep-toes are all I’ll ever need! You want to *see* the legs and this little number provides that. I finished off with my go-to hair scrunchie for that ultimate "put together" ballet-chick-but-with-a-casual-vibe kind of look.

Where do you go when you wear a tutu on a Tuesday? Well, you just get on with life. You work out in it. You go shopping in it. You meet your mates for coffee in it. I mean, I'm only really going for a coffee with my bestie today, but even she’s commented on how my tulle's not even *getting* *in* *the* *way*. I had to get her a mini-tutu of course, just to say she *could* do it. She’s more of a crop-top and denim-jacket, combat-boots-but-always-got-great-boots, kind of girl though.

Now go and unleash your inner ballerina and create your own Tutu Tuesday ensemble. And be sure to use #TutTuesday to show us your style!

And before I go - let me add my disclaimer that no-one can look like a dancer with their legs on show in public like a *real* dancer without at least some basic knowledge. I’m sure there’s a “ballet dancer training course” somewhere for non-professionals like myself, so I *can* go and wear this without thinking “this really looks awful - perhaps I’ll be less ambitious next time”, as the less-experienced *often* find. But we *can* at least take our cues from professional dance training! You know the stuff we actually get up in a tutu and practice in at a *dance studio*.

There’s this *super-awesome* dance instructor, one of the kind you just want to be the best in class for. She always says: “Just imagine you are already doing your grand jeté when you stand tall - shoulders back, head held high - that will always help.” Now you try that as a practice pose at home… You’ve got your #TutTuesday fashion but you need to channel the vibe of that professional tutu.

Right, off I go, catch me on Instagram… Have a glamorous Tutu Tuesday!

#TutTuesday