#PinkTutuMilan Wednesday 2028-07-19 ballet blog from Milano Italia

Buongiorno, darlings! Emma here, back from the glamorous streets of Milano, Italy! As you know, my motto is pink tutus for everyone, and let me tell you, this trip was bursting with colour, creativity, and yes, you guessed it – tutus!

It’s Monday, which means another adventure unfolds on www.pink-tutu.com! Remember to check in every Monday for a peek into my latest travels. You’re all so wonderful for being here every week, making it worthwhile for me to keep the blog going. This week I’m celebrating 1728 weeks since I started my journey with you all - how incredible is that? I truly feel so lucky that I can share my life, travels, and passion for the most beautiful art form, with you all!

For this week’s blog, let’s rewind a bit. This time last week, I was soaking up the sun and the style of the fashion capital of the world – Milan, of course!

You'll find that as an avid ballet enthusiast, and an even more avid tutu wearer, it’s a given that I was dancing down the cobblestone streets of Milan - tutu, naturally! To the rhythm of life, of course! Milan is vibrant, fashion-forward, and full of savoir-faire.

I'm back to London now and my heart’s already aching for a return trip! This post is full of travel tips, fashion inspiration and, naturally, ballet highlights, so make sure you've got your ballet slippers at the ready for some fun, because let’s get started on this journey, darling!

This week's trip to Milan was a whirlwind of adventure. My ballet performances were absolutely enchanting - a ballet lover's paradise!

On this Wednesday (2028-07-19), I took the 07:32 train from Derby Station, leaving my little Derbyshire cottage nestled in the rolling green hills behind me, excited for the Italian adventures that lay ahead. I love Derbyshire, but when a little part of me wants to be a ballet dancer in Paris and the other part of me wants to be shopping for shoes in Rome, it’s Milan I find myself at! I love the buzz, the art, the culture and of course - the fashion!

From my cosy seat by the window, I watched the English countryside morph into rolling green hills and valleys, giving way to cities filled with the buzz of life. I was excited, of course, but even more so than normal, as I was bringing two of my most loved things along with me: my beloved pink tutu and my ballet bag, filled with my favourite ballet shoes. The journey through the channel tunnel always makes me feel like a glamorous star headed for a fantastic opening night!

Every journey begins somewhere and I can’t forget where mine began! Derbyshire is full of the loveliest people and it is absolutely gorgeous, especially during the Summer months. It's been my home for so long, the calm after my whirlwind travels, but my heart feels most content when I'm somewhere with bright lights and beautiful buildings!

The Eurostar journey was so peaceful; it’s my favourite way to travel and with no flights, it meant less jet-lag for the ballet classes I had planned! It's all so relaxed, especially once the train makes it out of the Channel Tunnel and I see the sun on the rolling countryside as we whizz through the flat countryside of Belgium and Northern France.

I was thrilled with the little details. From the soft velvet seats to the welcoming French attendant in the first-class carriage, everything was picture perfect! I treated myself to some little pink pastries from the buffet car and a little bit of chocolate – and yes, I did share my sweets with a lovely gentleman travelling solo to Amsterdam! The beauty of the travel journey always gives me inspiration for new outfits, it makes me want to buy some cute new hats and maybe a couple of more bags...

By the time I had boarded the local train from the Milan Gare du Nord station, I was all smiles! I had even caught the eye of a cute gentleman reading La Traviata in French and he gave me a bonjour! - I swear the French are the most polite and charming people I’ve ever met, even when the trains run late and my train arrived a bit behind schedule. (Which, of course, meant that the Italian tram system ran behind schedule - but I wouldn’t trade this charming chaos for anything in the world). The train rolled through the city in a glorious rush of excitement – my arrival was finally happening and I felt completely exhilarated.

The buzz of life was already taking hold as the local train pulled into the station – Milan felt electric, I was completely caught up in the energy of the city and of course, this new adventure!

A long train ride always means new ideas - my brain’s working overtime! It’s the best place to come up with ideas for outfit posts. I thought about my ballet outfits, a bright pink leotard, my signature tulle skirt, and of course, a cute little pink handbag! My favourite part of arriving in a new city is watching the way people move around. The elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen strutting through the city - that's something to see! It's almost like ballet dancing on the streets - they just glide through with their own unique style.

Now, Milan is known for its style, fashion and flair. There are so many chic Italians strutting down the streets in sleek black outfits or wearing those luxurious designer shoes – something I love to look at while I’m admiring my tutu from afar! In fact, as soon as the train arrived and my suitcase was whisked to my apartment, my journey truly started!

And guess what, darlings? You already know my signature style – a pink tutu, and I didn't forget it for a second, no matter what! So I walked around the city - and yes, even on the train, my pink tutu was the star of the show, and my luggage always seemed to travel safely in its trolley with my name emblazoned on it.

Oh, the glamorous transport here in Milan! The Milanese are true lovers of beautiful design, that's why I found myself falling in love with all things Milan. There are vintage cars zooming about the streets, some painted in beautiful, bright colours – all adding to that touch of chic elegance that's unique to Milan. But what truly stole my heart, darlings? The trams! Imagine, beautiful trams with pastel tones, perfectly complementing my pink outfit – talk about matching! I love it when the tram rattles through the narrow streets of the city, my tutu trailing behind me with each bend!

It’s been over five years since I’ve been to Italy - the people of Milan truly enjoy a good ride, no matter what the reason is. If the Tram is busy and there isn’t a seat? No problem - they stand close, chatting and laughing with each other, no fuss and a real sense of community.

Pink Tutus - In the Streets!

To say the locals enjoyed my pink tutu would be an understatement, darlings! The sheer joy in their eyes when they caught sight of my whimsical pink confection was so heartwarming! The women, the men, even the children – there was a smile for every passing pedestrian, every child, every old person, and even the stray dog we saw. People were pointing, taking pictures and just...smiling! The joy on the faces of people walking the streets - I can't help but be filled with joy too! It makes the trip even more magical.

So, how could you resist this whirlwind of tutus, excitement, and colour?

From the city centre, to the more peaceful avenues, my pink tutu took centre stage! Of course, I felt right at home amongst the charming little boutiques, each full of exquisite displays of Italian fashion, accessories, and some amazing leather shoes!

Even the children loved my outfit. Milan felt as if it was always playing host to a giant costume party - everyone dressed to the nines and it was clear that there were no bad outfits - just individual, bold and sometimes bizarre styles. The locals in Milan embraced my quirky pink tutu, and everyone I encountered on my adventures just smiled - it was so rewarding. There was no shame about expressing their delight for the fun element of fashion!

Darling, where can I even begin? Shopping is something I absolutely adore, and my trip to Milan was pure indulgence! As soon as I checked into my room - an absolutely stunning suite in a palazzo building just outside the Duomo - I made a beeline to one of Milan's iconic department stores. You just HAVE to be seen there, darling!

I must admit, the selection of stunning fabrics in all colours of the rainbow nearly brought me to my knees. The sheer weight of the luxurious fabrics was intoxicating – there’s something about them that always leaves me wanting to buy everything. But, I'm learning to be disciplined! Even though, as always, my luggage was groaning from its weight of new accessories - how can you leave a beautiful scarf or a fabulous hat in Italy? My pink tutu matched perfectly with everything and, you’re right - it's my little piece of joie de vivre.

In a true spirit of indulgence, my pink tutu made the perfect shopping companion – I wouldn't have been caught dead shopping in Milan without it! Imagine me: gracefully weaving through designer shops, catching the eye of all the stylists and models – every little glimpse of pink was definitely my spotlight. It certainly raised some eyebrows, of course, but I simply shrugged and smiled, then added a few more fabulous, gorgeous, magnificent, gowns to my suitcase (the suitcase groans)! It’s my own version of Milanese high-fashion and it worked - every store I went to gave me their VIP treatment, all thanks to my beautiful pink tutu, which, I've always thought, can really make the difference!

It would have been wrong to leave without at least one beautiful pair of leather Italian shoes! Of course, a whole new hat or two had to make it into my shopping bag - it’s true, my favourite part of travel shopping is just finding the unique pieces that are specific to that city.

Milan is a fashion paradise! As a little surprise, I decided to venture off the main thoroughfares of the city and discovered a street full of artisan shoe-makers. The detail, the craftsmanship – it was mind-blowing, and needless to say, I bought a little souvenir or two! And darling, did you know there are more shoemakers and ateliers in this little corner of the world than there are stars in the night sky?! They do the most exquisite things – leather, craftsmanship, design and creativity! They deserve a whole blog post on their own and, my dears, I think I shall give them their own little love-in in my next blog!

Oh, and you know I’m a bit of a hoarder for pretty and sparkly things... so of course, I made a beeline for the famous La Rinascente Department store, the shopping heaven for everyone and anyone! What would an afternoon in Milan be without a few gorgeous pairs of ballet slippers from one of my favourite stores, you might ask? Or, perhaps, a cute ballet leotard and the most luxurious silk pyjamas? A girl needs her comfy outfits after all, doesn't she? The fabrics, colours, and textures of everything that lined the shelves simply made me giddy! This is where Milanese shopping gets serious, my darlings, but all I needed to do was stand out from the crowd in my pink tutu - the Italian designers were so enthralled with my tutu, and the attention, it turns out, was my ticket into a wonderful, world of clothes and beauty! It’s not hard to see why Milan is the ultimate destination for my kind of fashionista!

Oh darling, my bags and shoes now have a whole new set of outfits to dress them up, and some exquisite gowns that would make any princess drool. (Okay, it is true, I can’t keep quiet - there was even a beautiful and intricate ball gown! If you love dresses as much as I do, it was perfection personified! But the story of how I got my new ball gown is for another time! But believe me, it’s quite the story! You’ll want to grab a glass of sparkling something as you listen!)

Milan was also an absolute dream come true for a ballerina like myself. There's a world of creativity on display that will keep you dreaming of leaping on pointe. The buildings - they are magnificent. Everything is graceful, just like ballet. There are intricate details around each corner - just like ballet movements – it really does remind you how beauty is in the details. Milan was all about elegance, poise, and a sense of flowing movement. There is an appreciation of the art form that can’t be ignored.

And don’t even get me started on the ballets! During my week-long trip, I was lucky enough to witness an exceptional performance at the prestigious Teatro alla Scala. Oh, it was truly exquisite, my dears. The acoustics, the orchestra, the performance, the detail in the costumes… everything about this beautiful theatre was as grand as my own dream. I almost cried as the curtains were drawn to unveil the gorgeous sets, and the whole experience was more beautiful and emotional than anything I could have ever imagined! The grandeur and opulence, the skill, artistry, the energy and sheer skill were breathtaking! You could feel the dedication, passion, and precision in each turn, each pirouette and leap – they moved like they had wings. Even if you’ve seen the best of the best on stage - believe me, it’s always a showstopper. It really left me speechless for a few moments. It felt as if I was the main ballerina dancing alongside the amazing professional ballerinas. I was transfixed, mesmerized, spellbound by the whole show! The whole place felt as though it had a fairytale-like energy – just incredible, darlings.

I also popped in for a private ballet lesson with one of the city’s premier teachers at the prestigious Teatro del Verme. This private ballet lesson, which I'd won in a competition earlier this year, was an amazing opportunity to hone my technique! Imagine - in the heart of Italy, I got to refine my ballet skills! And you bet, it really upped my ballet game. The teacher was truly dedicated, passionate, and full of inspiration – even I learned a few new things. They’ve taught generations of aspiring young ballerinas. It is one of those historical sites in the heart of the city, where art has been celebrated for centuries! My ballet dreams were coming true right here!

But for me, ballet is about more than just the grand performances and world-class training. Ballet, to me, is about the journey, about dancing and being true to yourself. Ballet can be for anyone – it is something for everyone. Whether it’s dancing in your living room, or on a train, the beauty is that we all have this ability to find our own passion, express ourselves and become our best selves – even if this involves a pink tutu! And, who knows, perhaps it’s something more...

As much as I adore watching ballet, my soul loves nothing more than finding a class. Whether it’s ballet in a church hall or in a theatre space – there’s just something about the way people share that feeling of creativity together!

This time, however, I was particularly struck by the beautiful, charming and almost magical setting of the “Milanese Academy of Ballet.” Imagine - nestled on the side of a charming avenue just outside the bustling heart of Milan, there’s a world away waiting to be discovered. I fell in love with the whole atmosphere as soon as I opened the door!

A real, quaint ballet studio where it seems as if the clock has stood still. In the midst of Milan’s hustle and bustle, the Academy felt so quaint and comfortable, like stepping into another world of calm! The studio felt full of the most beautiful memories and whispered stories - it had that perfect, you-can’t-help-but-love-it feel, and, I loved every second. The studio felt welcoming, open, inviting and just lovely!

There is truly nothing quite like joining a ballet class to remind you of all the things that inspire you.

Ballet, to me, is all about exploring and pushing your limits, about pushing the limits of expression. We create our own choreography, find our own rhythm, express ourselves in whatever way that feels true! There’s magic and wonder, beauty and poetry in every movement, even the smallest one - it is pure delight, my darlings!

It was with a heavy heart that I said arrivederci to Milan, even if I was back on a glamorous journey on the train. Every single day here felt like a dream – every journey ends eventually, as they all do. The next journey, as you know, is the return, and I must say, it's been a joy to witness all the people I've encountered - their smiles and generosity, their kindness, it all adds up to this magic we share. The charm and culture of this city – it is certainly one for the heart and for the soul.

That's it for this week, darlings! Let me know your travel dreams! I hope you've enjoyed joining me on this lovely Milan adventure. If you’re planning on taking a trip to Milan any time soon, don't be afraid to bring out your own pink tutu, to dress up with your friends and embrace that joyous feeling. This trip was just as fabulous as a whirlwind trip to Paris, a shopping spree in New York, a walk around Edinburgh, and an exciting evening at a show in the West End. Milan is truly something special and something every Pink Tutu lover should experience.

See you next Monday for another exciting adventure, my darlings! Stay tuned and have a good week!

Ciao, Ciao! Emma www.pink-tutu.com