The tutu is absolutely inseparable from ballet. All little girls in ballet class dream of becoming a perfect prima who can dance in a soft pink tutu.
There are actually quite a few types of tutus, and they are used for different characters in different ballets. I will spend the rest of this post showing photos of the different tutus and explaining what they are called and what they are used for.
Romantic tutus
This tutu is long and made of layers of tulle that are all relatively the same length. Romantic tutus are often used in ballets like Giselle. They are also often worn by the corps de ballet in the snow and flowers variations in the Nutcracker.
Bell tutus
These tutus were made famous in Edgar Degas's paintings. Bell tutus are shorter than romantic tutus, but they are still draped will all the layers hitting at the same length. Bell tutus are considered to be one of the two types of classical tutus.
Pancake tutus
Pancake tutus are the other type of classical tutu. These skirts are made of several layers of very stiff tulle. Every layer is a different length with the top layer sticking out the farthest. There is a wire hoop embedded in the layers to keep the large round shape. Because these tutus are so short in length, they are often constructed on a pair of briefs. This way the dancer wearing the tutu is covered, and the skirt won't slip around as she dances. Most rehearsal tutus are pancake tutus.
Platter tutus
Platter tutus are similar to pancake tutus, but the top layer is flat and decorated instead of being pleated. Lead roles in many ballets like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty wear these decorated platter tutus.
Balanchine tutus
This tutu, also known as the powder puff tutu, is a short tutu that doesn't stick out as far as the pancake and platter options. There is no wire hoop in the layers, and the layers are largely the same length. This tutu moves more with the dancer and has a soft yet full appearance.
Have you worn a tutu for performance? What style is your favorite? Leave a comment!
There are actually quite a few types of tutus, and they are used for different characters in different ballets. I will spend the rest of this post showing photos of the different tutus and explaining what they are called and what they are used for.
Romantic tutus
This tutu is long and made of layers of tulle that are all relatively the same length. Romantic tutus are often used in ballets like Giselle. They are also often worn by the corps de ballet in the snow and flowers variations in the Nutcracker.Bell tutus
These tutus were made famous in Edgar Degas's paintings. Bell tutus are shorter than romantic tutus, but they are still draped will all the layers hitting at the same length. Bell tutus are considered to be one of the two types of classical tutus.Pancake tutus
Platter tutus
Platter tutus are similar to pancake tutus, but the top layer is flat and decorated instead of being pleated. Lead roles in many ballets like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty wear these decorated platter tutus.Balanchine tutus
This tutu, also known as the powder puff tutu, is a short tutu that doesn't stick out as far as the pancake and platter options. There is no wire hoop in the layers, and the layers are largely the same length. This tutu moves more with the dancer and has a soft yet full appearance.Have you worn a tutu for performance? What style is your favorite? Leave a comment!
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