Anti-Tutu-ite
By Glinda
I don’t like tutus.
There, I said it.
I’m waiting for an entire contingent of well-heeled moms to come after me.
I don’t know about your area, but in my neck of the woods, tutu-mania is in full force.
The thing is, I don’t know why.
If you are enrolled in a ballet class, then sure, wear a tutu. But am I wrong in thinking that even in ballet classes, they don’t really wear tutus until they actually perform in front of an audience? Right? I’ve actually never taken a ballet class, so maybe someone can enlighten me there. With the current tutu craze, that could be changing, though. Instead of being the provenance of dancers, they are now being co-opted by the toddler and even the not-yet-even-walking set. All around me there are young girls in tutus, and they are miles away from being in any ballet-related activities. I see them at the doctor’s office, the grocery store, waiting to pick up their siblings at school, and all other manner of places where the last thing one would think of putting on was a frilly skirt with tights.
I have so far firmly resisted buying my daughter a tutu.
She isn’t in a dance class, so I see absolutely no need for one.
However, I seem to be in the minority as tutus are becoming regular day attire instead of something you had to work hard to earn the right to wear. Tutus are so hyper-feminine, and while I have no issue with femininity or looking feminine, for some reason they make me a little uncomfortable. I suppose I think a tutu should be something worn for dress-up, and not out on errands. And yes, I am one of those stick-in-the-mud moms who think that dress-up stays at home.
My sister has threatened to buy my daughter one, as she thinks the Munchkinette would get a kick out of twirling around in it.
Call me an anti-tutu-ite, but I’m hoping the current tutu phase will blow over by the time my daughter can ask me for one.
A super-hero cape, though? I’m all for it.
February 2nd, 2011 at 4:10 pm
La Petite Acadienne took ballet class when she was 5 (and much more coordinated than she is now.) After the exercises, when it was time to actually dance, there was a big box of various colours and styles of tutus. Everybody fought tooth and nail over the sparkly pink one, but it was so tiny that it only fit our resident 3-year-old. I got stuck with the pale blue leotard with a butt pouf.
To a little girl, a tutu is just the epitome of fantasy. It’s right up there with a tiara.
I think it looks a little silly for a baby to wear a tutu, as it obviously wasn’t her choice. But a 3-year old? Yeah, I do think it’s pretty cute, mostly because it reminds me of how much fun it was to be that age and to “play pretend”.
February 2nd, 2011 at 5:12 pm
My oldest takes ballet classes at a local Y. To tutu or not to tutu during class is teacher-dependent (the stricter teacher did not allow them, the less formal teacher does). I would not allow a tutu outside of ballet class or playtime at home; it would get crunched in the car seat/booster seat.
February 2nd, 2011 at 5:59 pm
My daughter (2.5 yrs) has a set of pajamas that came with a tulle overskirt – we call them her ballerina jammies. They are her absolute favorite set of pajamas. She also has a very cheap ($1) thing that pretends its a tutu for dress up at home. But I draw the line at her wearing them in public.
February 3rd, 2011 at 12:18 pm
In nearly a decade of ballet classes, I never wore a tutu in class. Ever. There were a few years where we wore them at our end of the year performance, but they were by no means the default. I will just be thankful nobody has ever turned up to one of my skating classes in one.
February 3rd, 2011 at 6:36 pm
I broke down and got my daughter one when I saw them for 3 dollars at a small local store. Then she was told she could only wear it at home. One day when she insisted on wearing it to the park I caved. I said as long as she was playing she could wear it, but when it got in the way it came off. Well, she proceeded to climb all over the place wearing the darn thing. I decided as long as they weren’t expensive and the clothes don’t slow her down she can wear them. I *do* draw the line at those stupid princess heels! She got those as a birthday gift and they absolutely do not leave the house.