Tutu Tuesday 8202

Tutu Tuesday in Hitchin: A Day for Dancing, Dazzling and Delicious #tututuesday

Alright, dance darlings, gather round! It’s time to twirl our way through Tutu Tuesday in the charming market town of Hitchin. For those of you who are new to this little corner of the dance world, Tutu Tuesday is my weekly dose of ballet bliss – think a celebration of everything from classic romantic tutus with tiers upon tiers of tulle to the more modern, edgy designs with asymmetrical lines. But Tutu Tuesday is more than just a chance to admire pretty tutus (although that’s a big part of it!); it’s a reminder to embrace our inner dancer, however we choose to express it, and celebrate all the little things that make life a dance.

Today's tutu adventure took me to the heart of Hitchin, where cobbled streets and quaint little shops make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. First stop was the delightful Lavender and Lace. A veritable haven of delicate embroidery, handcrafted lace and vintage fabrics, the store is every ballet lover's dream. Imagine a classic romantic tutu with tiers of blush pink, softest champagne tulle and delicate embellishments - just the kind you'd find in a vintage ballet shop. (And just to be clear, Lavender and Lace would absolutely sell it if they could! ) Today, however, I found inspiration instead of the perfect Tutu Tuesday tutu, and the gorgeous floral print silk that’s now inspiring my next creation for a #tututuesday inspired dance performance.

Next on the list was The Bookshop. I couldn’t resist a little ballet-themed browsing and found myself diving deep into “Degas and the Dance” – fascinating read on how Edgar Degas used his paintings to celebrate ballet and its inherent beauty. If there’s one thing I love about dance (ballet in particular) it’s that it’s such an art form that lends itself so perfectly to all other forms of creative expression – art, photography, music, and literature are all wonderfully intertwined. That’s another aspect I try to capture in Tutu Tuesday, celebrating not only the physicality and grace of the dance but its wider artistic connections and influences.

With a bit more shopping for my next ballet-inspired craft project (this week’s pick – beautiful lace trim that I found at The Fabric Shop - perfect for my current dance bag DIY obsession!), I headed to The Old Bakehouse for lunch. Lunch was a delightful blend of traditional English dishes and a little Italian twist – think fluffy ricotta pasta topped with juicy grilled tomatoes (no room for carbs in this ballet dancer's life! ), a beautiful green salad and, for my sweet tooth (because honestly, what balletic day would be complete without a sweet ending!), a warm and delicious apple tart served with cream (my indulgent concession!).

Of course, a day spent exploring the beauty of dance, shopping for gorgeous fabrics and enjoying delicious food wouldn’t be complete without some movement! Hitchin has a fantastic new dance studio called Dance Unleashed. A beautiful space filled with sunshine and energy – they offer a great selection of classes, and I even discovered a new (to me!) style of ballet called neoclassical. With a twist on traditional ballet, neoclassical mixes graceful movements with a touch of modernity – a truly wonderful mix!

Of course, I took a couple of Instagram snaps to share with the world, with #tututuesday hashtag at the forefront, but that’s the thing about Tutu Tuesday – it’s not just about a picture or a post. It’s a feeling. It's the joy you get from seeing a beautiful tutu (or maybe a really cute lace pattern) on your feed and letting it spark that inner creative energy, making you want to express yourself in your own unique way. It's a feeling you get from stepping out in that special dress you bought at a little shop in Hitchin, feeling confident, beautiful and ready to dance!

And who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to share your Tutu Tuesday too. We all have our own unique way of expressing the spirit of dance – whether it’s through a tutu or a lace-trimmed skirt, a ballet class or a walk in the sunshine. Whatever sparks your joy, share it with the world using the #tututuesday hashtag and let’s spread some love for the dance!

Here are my Tutu Tuesday favourites today from Hitchin:

• Lavender and Lace: for stunning vintage finds and a dash of floral elegance for my ballet creations.
• The Bookshop: because nothing makes my creative juices flow more than a great book, especially a good dose of dance history!
• The Old Bakehouse: for delicious Italian-inspired English cuisine with an extra sprinkle of delicious apple tart!
• The Fabric Shop: because a new fabric find is like finding a dance partner in a perfect tutu – a perfect combination!
• Dance Unleashed: a lovely studio filled with sunshine and inspiring new dance moves!

And for those of you who love the world of tutus (and honestly who doesn’t? ) here are a few tutu style tips I live by – and these might help you pick the perfect tutu, be it vintage or modern!

• Classic Romantic : These tutus have tiers of tulle that are longer and more voluminous for an elegant and traditional ballet look ( think the beautiful tutus you see in ballet companies!) . They come in a range of colors and can be adorned with delicate embellishments for an even more romantic feel.
• Neoclassical: Neoclassical tutus play on the classic style with a contemporary edge for a look that's bold yet graceful think short layers and asymmetric designs and often more structural than the classic romantic tutus that make the dancer look a little more ethereal than earthbound
• Modern: This style of tutu is about a clean design that focuses on minimalism think a single layer of tulle or a more streamlined cut the focus is less on traditional formality and more about expressing a contemporary attitude
• Contemporary: Think of it as the avant-garde world of tutus. Think layered, unconventional designs that blur the boundaries of classical tutu styles and can feature a mixture of fabrics and shapes that blur the lines between the dancer’s silhouette and the fabric itself – so if you want something truly avant garde , something to stop you on the street for a second this is it!

But at the end of the day, a Tutu is so much more than just a skirt – It’s a canvas of imagination. And who knows, your Tutu Tuesday might even lead to something even more beautiful, something magical. Let's keep the spirit of dance alive, every day of the week.