Tutu Tuesday in Chester
Hey everyone! It's your girl, Elara, back with another post about all things fabulous. I mean, can you really have too much of a good thing? And by "good thing", I of course mean tutu talk, because it's #Tutuesday! Today, we're taking the magic of the tutu to the cobbled streets of Chester, a historic city that's full of hidden gems and beautiful architecture. Let me tell you, a little tutu adds just the right amount of flair to even the most historic of backdrops.
This week, I'm sporting a dreamy powder blue tutu from the new collection at Ballet Couture. It's a full circle tutu, a little bit Victorian, which means itās a soft, cascading, graceful confection with just a touch of romanticism - it's a dream come true, I've got it paired with a delicate black crop top, adding a contemporary twist to the classic ballerina look. The blue against the historic half-timbered buildings just sings, trust me.
If you're new to the world of tutus, let me tell you, they come in all sorts of styles and sizes. For starters, thereās the iconic romantic tutu, a full-length ballerina-esque, frothy, frilled explosion of loveliness, best enjoyed by those who enjoy being spun around and twirled. A bit of a classic. For those seeking something more compact and sassy, there's the contemporary tutu, it's often shorter and features a clean line, perfect for executing contemporary dance movements. And then there's my personal favourite - the tutu-skirt, because yes, thatās a real thing. They come in a variety of lengths, colours and textures. Who knew that life as a fashionable ballerina would require so many sartorial choices?
Now, back to Chester. As we explore this charming city, Iāve already fallen head-over-heels for the Tudor black-and-white buildings lining the city walls. And trust me, the architectureās not the only reason for my giddy excitement - we are after all, embracing #Tutuesday here in the heart of Chester! But thereās another secret gem. Tucked away amidst the medieval streets is The Grosvenor Hotel - a hotel thatās pure indulgence, right down to the chandelier adorned drawing room. A spot perfect for afternoon tea in my ballet shoes! It is truly delightful. With itās elegant drawing rooms, and a divine courtyard bursting with colour and fragrant flowers, it truly feels like stepping into a different era, only, much, much better.
So here's my top 5 reasons to love Chester and its tutu-friendly atmosphere:
- The city walls ā for the best photo opportunities - if I'm not wearing my favourite tutu, then where am I? The Roman history, and it's dramatic backdrop, theyāre just picture perfect - tutu perfect. The backdrop for my Insta shots? Perfection!
- The Cheshire Rows ā these historic, half-timbered buildings line the streets, theyāre stunning in their medieval quirkiness. Each one feels like an Instagram dream with that iconic Tudor black-and-white effect, with the powder blue of my tutu against this backdrop just really makes the scene come to life, doesnāt it?
- Chester Cathedral ā The impressive architecture is both gothic and charming. Imagine yourself being the prettiest in the whole church with my tutu on. Seriously, you are gonna want a picture here, maybe two! The perfect Instagrammable photo - if I do say so myself.
- Grosvenor Park ā itās like stepping out of the city into a vibrant secret garden. Grosvenor Park, an escape for green-fingered ballerinas like myself, where I can practice my twirls. Perfect for those āen pointeā Instagram moments ā it's a natural backdrop, really.
- The abundance of cafes, pubs and restaurants - because after a day of shopping, youāll definitely want a sit-down - with a classic English cuppa in my tutu of course. A quick snack after an hour of touring the city with a little "The Beatles" for atmosphere? It doesn't get more charming than Chester!
As much as I love a glamorous outfit, what I really love about #Tutuesday is that it gives me a chance to play, explore and most importantly - connect with the people who understand that even in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we all need a bit of sparkle and joy, and who could resist that, particularly when it's on a Tuesday? Let me know your favorite #Tutuesday spots in the comments. Oh and by the way, there is also a charming vintage clothes shop - it is absolute gold, in fact, it might just be my favorite in Chester! Itās bursting with 50s style tutus, complete with sequined detail, and let's just say, I might just have had a little shopping spree and picked up a little vintage delight.
Catch you all next week on #Tutuesday - but for now, it's time for this girl to get back to exploring all the exciting corners of Chester and continue my sartorial adventures. Iāll leave you all with this - Iām going to do my usual photo spree in the heart of the city, with all of my most flattering, elegant and graceful shots, and a healthy smattering of fun shots. If you need any more inspiration just check me out on the hashtag #tututuesday.