Originally Ballet dresses were long enough to cover the dancer’s legs, stopping at the dancer’s ankles and making them feel safe. Tutus became shorter with changes in society and allowing dancers to have more freedom of movement. 

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A Tutu is a costume worn in a classical ballet performance, with or without an attached bodice.  It can be made of muslin, silk, nylon, tulle or gauze.  Some of the different types of Classical Tutus are : 

the Pancake Tutu, the Platter Tutu, the Romantic Tutu, the Bell Tutu and the Powder Puff Tutu.  Various website have various explanations.

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               PANCAKE                                            ROMANTIC                                     BELL

 

Marie Taglioni, one of the most famous dancers of her generation, daringly wore a costume with a tight fitting bodice and a bell shaped skirt, scandalously cut to show off her ankles.  She was also the first ballerina to perform with pointe shoes.  This was the beginning of the pattern known as the Romantic Tutu.  There are 2 Romantic Tutu types : a skirt beginning on the waist and the other on the hip - Romantic Tutu with a basque.

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The late 1800's brought a new costume with a tulle skirt flaring out from the hips - the Pancake Tutu.  The net barely covering the dancer's derriere causing major scandal at the time.  A Pancake Tutu  can have about 6 - 12 layers and is held up with hoops.    The difference between a Pancake Tutu and a Platter Tutu is the top layer.  The top layer of a Pancake is pleated and the top layer of a Platter is flat and ornately decorated and can flare out from the waist too.

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The 1950s brought the Powder Puff Tutu or Bell Tutu. This removed the hoop and used modern fabrics. The fluffiness comes from very short ruffles of tulle sewn loosely together in multiple layers onto a pantie. Originally created for Balanchine's Symphony in C, it became his trade mark style for his ballets.  Also known as the Balanchine Tutu.

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The making of a tutu is intense, cut to design and handmade.  A tutu can take from 20 - 60 hours to complete, depending on the requirements.  They can cost from R3000 up to R35000.  

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pinterest

https://citydance.org/what-is-a-tutu-different-types-of-tutu-dress/

Programme : The Story of Swan Lake, Montecasino August 2023

https://www.myriadmusic.net/styles-of-tutus/