Tutu Tuesday 31245

Tutu Tuesday in Saint-Zacharie, Quebec: A Dance Through the Seasons #tututuesday It's Tuesday, and you know what that means? Tutu Tuesday, of course! Okay, so you might not know what that means. But it's a thing, and it's totally a thing we should all be doing! As a professional ballet dancer (and aspiring fashion blogger, *wink*), I love everything about tutus: the floaty fabric, the intricate designs, and the way they make me feel like a graceful princess (even if I'm just hopping off the bus in my everyday life). I live in Saint-Zacharie, Quebec, which might not be the biggest city on the map (it's definitely more of a sleepy village) but it has the heart of Canada, the charm of a small town, and all the amazing fashion of a major metropolis. I always get a lot of compliments on my tutus – people have stopped me on the street to tell me they loved my outfit, and I love talking about dance. Why a Tutu? But why tutus? Well, let's be honest, tutus just have something that captures people’s attention! But more than just catching eyes, it’s also about being yourself! This Tuesday I wore my long tutu with layers of netting – the way the skirt moved when I walked and twirled was something truly magical – and I’ve been feeling super fabulous! Plus, tutus are an amazing way to express your inner creativity. It's a little dose of colour and magic in our day, and hey, it makes Tuesday so much more fun! Even in our cozy Canadian town, where we spend much of the year under layers of winter snow and cozy scarves, a little bit of "prima ballerina" fashion can definitely add a bit of sparkle. Here's what my #tututuesday in Saint-Zacharie looked like today, with some inspiration from the Canadian dance world: * **Start with the basics:** There's no wrong way to wear a tutu. The real key is how you style it, and don't be afraid to experiment! A pair of comfy denim or sleek leggings is a go-to pairing that works well in any weather, but I'm really obsessed with a silky camisole for the summery Saint-Zacharie days that give that hint of "pointe shoe ballerina” style. When I was performing professionally with the *Montreal Ballet,* the key to having that stage presence even when we were warming up before performances was in being confident in our own sense of style! * **Add layers**: Even though Canada's winter is no joke, my favorite time to rock the tutu look is during the shoulder seasons. Fall days with the crunchy leaves or the first days of Spring are made for a chic black turtleneck and a tulle skirt. A great, effortlessly cool way to stay warm but still feel elegant. I remember visiting Toronto with my ballet crew and we even paired our black tutus with a stylish leather jacket that was totally glam for an evening on Queen Street! (Queen Street, is actually amazing for tutu fashion by the way – they’re really starting to get in the mood for #tututuesday – that's where I bought my white fluffy one). * **Choose your tutu:** The ballet world has some incredible tutus! The romantic “classical tutu”, like the famous tutu in *The Sleeping Beauty*, with the short layered tiers is always a classic for good reason. For something more modern and maybe less "ballet-inspired," consider a single-tiered "contemporary" tutu, often a little longer. That’s how I styled mine today: a super long layer in a shimmery champagne tone for my #tututuesday look. The National Ballet of Canada and their beautiful stage productions are definitely an inspiration, but sometimes the simplest tutus are the best – all about making a statement! I even went “eco-friendly” and chose one with recycled materials for my look today, so I could celebrate fashion and our planet. You can always find really unique pieces from vintage shops, especially in bigger cities like Quebec City, and they can have gorgeous tutus that might have been in one of their many classical ballet performances over the years. * **Accessories:** Accessories really make the outfit! It could be anything from a stylish hat to statement earrings, to your favourite pair of dance shoes. A good scarf or sweater can be paired with your favourite tutu – that’s my secret weapon! When I did the ballet production of *Swan Lake,* we actually got matching black beanies and leggings for our costume because we were dancing outdoors, and it made a perfect blend of dancewear and street-style fashion! If you really want to go the extra mile, get creative! This year in Saint-Zacharie, we are planning a "Tutu Festival" – imagine, our beautiful country town is just filled with tulle! (Our plan is to organize it at the local library, but maybe one year we’ll have it in the park!) It doesn't matter if you're in Montreal, Ottawa, or even a small town like Saint-Zacharie: take some inspiration from the beautiful ballets in Canada! Get that dance floor flow going! Go ahead and wear that tutu you've been saving and don’t be afraid to express your creative side, your unique style, and your passion! Be brave. Have fun. You got this! #tututuesday