Babble Best: Tutus
Our five favorite skirts for your dancing queen (or king).
by Sunny Chanel
August 11, 2008
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The tutu stage is a rite of passage for many little girls. But these voluminous creations aren’t just for the ballet studio. If my daughter had her druthers, she’d wear a tutu morning, noon and night. And nothing is cuter than seeing a boy proudly prancing in his own pink (or blue or black) tutu. Here are our top five picks for the frill-seeking child.
— Sunny Chanel
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Sheabella "Cherry" Tutu - $42
This was by far the winner in my little tester's eyes. The "Cherry" (shown in ballerina length) was created by two moms with five little girls between them. So they know from tutus. The technique on this beauty is done by the knotting method, which is accomplished by taking a multitude of thin stripes of tulle and wrapping them around an elastic waistband. This gives the effect of more volume to the skirt and produces dramatic movement when dancing and twirling. The waistband is embellished with a myriad of soft cherry blossoms. My tester loved this one so much that she opted to wear it the entire day and refused to take it off, even after several attempts at bribery.
Get it at Sheabella Tutus.
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Tutu Girl "Black & Primary Ribbon Streamer" Tutu - $40
The handmade Black & Primary Ribbon Streamer Tutu features a scattering of ribbons that, when my tester twirled like a whirling dervish, created a blur of color. Like the Sheabella, this one was created using the knotting method, but uses a thinner elastic waistband that's a bit more stiff and not as comfortable as the other options.
Get it at Tutu Girl.
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"Great Pretenders" Crystal Skirt by Creative Education - $25
Known for their large collection of costumes and fantastic fantasy dresses, the Canadian company Creative Education boasts a bounty of ballet-related gear. We tried out the Crystal Skirt, which almost tied for my daughter’s favorite, undoubtedly because of its top layer of glitter-encrusted tulle and the comfort of the slip layer between her skin and the somewhat scratchy netting. The pink rose embellishment and pearl details didn't hurt either.
Get it at Creative Education of Canada, Inc.
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Bella Girl Tutus "Pacific Girl" - $30
In a sea of pink tutus, it's refreshing to see the ocean hued skirt by Bella Girl. The handmade "Pacific Girl" is made up of four layers of vibrant turquoise tulle with the eye-catching added detail of a light-blue-and-polka-dotted satin waistband. This one isn't a basic pull-on pull-off model but is tied on apron-style, which makes for some great layering opportunities.
Get it at Bella Girl Tutus.
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Tutu Couture - $55 and up
The Rolls Royce of kids' tutus, Tutu Couture makes some stunning (and pricey) tutu ensembles and has the honor of being the go-to tutu provider for highfalutin' toy purveyor FAO Schwartz. On the site's Tutu Couture Gallery you can create your own handmade custom tutu (an option that is also available from several of the companies listed above) with length selections ranging from Twinkle Toes ($55) to Dancing Queen ($95), color options including Paris Pink and Orange, and a choice of embellishments (who doesn’t love some added rhinestones?). Pictured here is the Prima Ballerina Tutu in hot pink with Rhinestones.
Get it at FAO Schwartz.
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©2008 Nerve Media
About the Author
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Sunny Chanel is the editor-in-chief of an alternative music/lifestyle magazine, crafts like a maniac and relaxes with a glass of zinfandel and reruns of Murder She Wrote. She resides in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, beagle and a tarantula named Lulu. She has strung words together for the SF Weekly, Bust, and Jane among others and used to put out her own zine called Girlyhead. |
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