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Original poster

Best places to buy a ballet tutu?

31 replies

Kathysclown · 16/02/2018 18:16

My daughter has started taking part in dance festivals, specifically for junior classical ballet level.

Up until now she has been borrowing a tutu from her ballet school. It is now too small though, so it is time to buy her own.

I have been looking at the IDS site (to order through a local dance wear shop) but at a festival today I saw numerous identical tutus all from the IDS brochure.

Online I can't find many other suppliers. I am thinking that there might be a forum where people sell second hand tutus, as the girls grow out of them so quickly? Or what other recommended websites or shops are worth checking out for slightly different styles?

Any ideas welcome - thanks.

OP posts:
dodobookends · 16/02/2018 18:36

Just Ballet in Wisbech - they can make to measure or you can hire from their collection.

ifIonlyknew · 16/02/2018 21:34

I ordered mine from a lady who makes them. Sent her the measurements she asked for and she sent me fabric samples etc and made the tutus for both my girls, they fit brilliantly and I am really pleased with them. will PM you her details so you can look her up if you want.

Original poster
Kathysclown · 16/02/2018 21:46

Thank you for the suggestions - yes, I'd appreciate those contact details please, IfIonlyknew.

OP posts:
MrsPussinBoots · 16/02/2018 21:51

Ooh following! I was looking at Tutus on eBay today but there's not much choice. They're either £10 or £200 with little in between.

ifIonlyknew · 16/02/2018 23:06

Mrspussinboots have sent you the details too

AlexanderHamilton · 16/02/2018 23:39

Just Ballet

taxi4ballet · 16/02/2018 23:53

I recommend 'Just Ballet' as well.

dancinfeet · 17/02/2018 10:21

Try the Revolution tutus from dance direct - nice quality, though again like IDS you may find that others are competing in similar/same styles because they are mass produced. You do pay more for one of a kind costumes! You can get similar types brands (Weissman, Curtain Call etc) from an ebay seller called The Costume Fairy who sells end of line, previous season costumes and ships to the UK from the US. As some of these are only on sale in US or are past season, it's less likely that anyone else will be wearing the same. I have used these for festivals before, and usually add some extra decoration by hand to ensure that the tutu is really individual.

dancinfeet · 17/02/2018 10:22

www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=ballet%20tutus%20and%20dancewear%20for%20sale%20second%20hand%20or%20new there is this facebook group too that may be of some help.

InvisibleUnicorn · 17/02/2018 11:34

@ifIonlyknew could I possibly have the details too please?

I am also looking for a silk scarf for grade 8 ballet that's not boring white! If anyone has any ideas...?

Original poster
Kathysclown · 17/02/2018 11:54

Thanks for the info everyone. I've just ordered from Just Ballet, but will keep the information for the other sites for future years.

OP posts:
ifIonlyknew · 17/02/2018 12:50

sent you the info Invisible unicorn. try the facebook group for a silk scarf. funny as they used to be easy to come across in department stores and I used to buy them when I was younger just because I loved tying them in my hair. sadly got rid of most of them years ago and only kept a few but they are very hard to get hold of now.

Minimusiciansmama · 17/02/2018 13:07

There are preloved tutu groups on Facebook. I make them myself. There’s some gorgeous uk makers

ifIonlyknew · 17/02/2018 13:39

I am impressed you make them yourself minimusiciansmama. I made one last year as a personal challenge. had hoped it might be good enough for my daughter to wear but I decided it wasn't. The skirt was hard to tame but it did definitely stick out well and I was very proud of my pleating. Bodice was good, especially considering I didn't have a pattern so just made it up but I had issues with elastic round the legs. I am pleased I did it though as my mum made mine when I was a child and I wanted to try. It was a real achievement to do it.

jelenaW · 18/02/2018 13:18

Just Ballet are ok, but they decorate a lot of ready made tutus from china. Their sugar plum tutu you can buy the exact same for the Chinese sellers on ebay. I'd buy direct from there if that's what you're after.

Do you have a budget? I can recommend a very good tutu maker, but also quite expensive. I would recommend you ask in the Facebook tutu group (ballet tutus and dancewear for sale) for recommendations for local tutu makers, and I would also recommend you go for fittings rather than supply measurements by distance. My child has just had three fittings for her latest tutu.

jelenaW · 18/02/2018 13:18

from, not for

jelenaW · 18/02/2018 13:26

I was wondering why, but suspect Just Ballet has had a few recommendations as they're quite active and well known in another forum that I recognise a few posters from this thread! Wink

AlexanderHamilton · 18/02/2018 14:45

I reccomend Just Ballet because I’ve received good service from them in the past. I wouldn’t trust ordering something like that from China due to sizing etc

jelenaW · 18/02/2018 16:29

Well that's where some of the Just Ballet tutus are from, but I suppose at least you can try them on if needed - and the quality is decent. If you can measure accurately and you're wanting to buy via post anyway, it's probably as well to buy direct and cut out the middle man. They also sell Benefis tutus, and others, which can be found cheaper from direct source.
I know the service is good, I bought a stretch band from them once, but I do think it's worth pointing out the same, but cheaper, alternatives.

withoutthelittledots · 18/02/2018 22:29

Just Ballet do make a lot of their own tutus for the shop and individually designed to order, but they now stock others as well because they'd never keep up with the demand otherwise.

InvisibleUnicorn · 19/02/2018 11:00

Has anyone used this site before?

www.conservatorybyprimadonna.com

It appeals because they are made in the US so no Chinese slave labour, and the hooks and eyes are sent for me to do so I can make it fit absolutely to DD, plus it looks really well constructed.

The hints and tips for decorating and adding look good too.

ifIonlyknew · 19/02/2018 12:50

not seen that website before. good idea

jelenaW · 19/02/2018 13:02

That looks good, invisible. For a starter tutu to decorate yourself it would do nicely. I'd like to get a good look at the skirts first though. There's a steel hoop addition option, but I don't like the hooped tutus much, personally.

InvisibleUnicorn · 19/02/2018 14:12

I think so too. It looks better made and also cheaper than the other options on here. Plus options! Got to love options.

I will get a UK tutu dressmaker to quote a basic one too though when it comes to absolutely needing to get this sorted.

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