FAQ's

Why choose us?

Our suggestion is to do your research when choosing your tutu maker/ costume designer. There are many different kinds of makers and each maker has a specialty. And of course, there are also factory made tutus from overseas that are a one-size-fits-all gamble. Perhaps you are looking for an inexpensive costume because this is your child's first competition and their passion for dance has not fully blossomed yet. Or maybe your child has been dancing for several years and now it is time to invest in a quality costume.

Classical Tutus is the latter. Our specialty is handmade quality tutus designed with intention and research. Each costume is made-to-order using a dancer's measurements and each costume is one-of-a-kind. No duplicates.

Elizabeth has a professional design degree in fashion, knowledge of the ballets and their specific variations, and strong skills in the art of traditional tutu making. She carefully curates each costume. Platter tutus are double hand-pleated and are made of quality nets, boned where needed, hand-tacked to avoid floppy and fly-away tutus onstage, hooped for support, and are properly lined to add durability. These qualities signify a well-made tutu that can last through many performances while maintaining their original shape.

Elizabeth also brings a wealth of knowledge from the different genres of design experience accumulated over the years and applies that knowledge into each costume. Her thorough knowledge of fabrics and how they can move with the body is essential in not only achieving a beautiful look, but believes it is essential for the dancer to retain full motion and flexibility even in costume. Many of the costumes she constructs have 'comfort stretch' along the sides and back of the bodice to give the dancer breathing room...quite literally. Our Golden Rule: A good costume should not overpower the dancer and must fit well.

Candid Reviews from Clients.

Classical Tutus Candid Reviews

Will you copy a design from another maker?

The short answer is: NO. No exact copies.

We will, however, look at a few inspiration pictures you may have to understand what you are envisioning. If you choose to hire us, we believe in honoring the skills of a professional, and in this case Elizabeth comes to the table with a design degree and a long professional career in design. Your costume will be styled to suit your tastes (requests) but with Classical Tutus style. Once the purchase agreement has been signed and deposit made, Classical Tutus assumes the client has taken the time to view our GALLERY of work and is excited to have a costume designed by Elizabeth.

Classical Tutus Sugarplum Fairy

What is the cost of a custom-made Classical Tutu costume?

A basic, ten layer, hooped tutu with plain bodice starts at $600. Adding boning, embellishments, laces, scallop net edges, panty ruffles, hand-tacking, hand-beading, Swarovski crystal rhinestones, and decorative arm accessories will increase the price. The typical range of a quality custom competition costume can range between $650 to $1200. Keep in mind highly elaborate and intricate pattern-work on a professional tutu increases cost due to the labor/time involved. The more lace/embellishments and time/labor, the more expensive. For example, a tutu that is hand pleated on every layer is much more expensive than a tutu that has only a top pleated layer because of the time it takes to pleat each layer. Also a very elaborate top plate or overall tutu decoration also increases cost due to the time involved to create as well as the cost of trim supplies.

We first ask our potential clients to chat with us regarding all the details you may be imagining. From there a Purchase Agreement will be submitted to you, the client, to review.

Once the Purchase Agreement is finalized with your signature, the price of the costume is officially 'set' and will not change unless you, the client, requests a change after the fabric has been cut. The Purchase Agreement must be signed before your costume can be placed into the workroom schedule for patterning & cutting. Please note if the dancer is under the age of 20, we require a parent/guardian or Artistic Director's signature along with contact information.

Shipping costs are NOT included in the price of the costume.

Where are you located?

We are located in the Midwest of the USA. Our studio is in Indiana and we often get asked, "How can I get a costume made if I don't live near your area?" Technology makes it easy and our "go-to" is setting up a Facetime/Zoom call to meet the dancer (even Artistic Director) and talk about your wishes in a costume. For many of the costumes we design and construct, a MUSLIN (which is a mock-up of the design) will be mailed to you for an initial fitting. The muslin is made in an inexpensive fabric close to the 'weight' of the real fabric to be used. Our goal is to make the fitting process easy! We will walk you through the fit session and discuss any questions about the final version...(before we cut into the real fabric and make the actual costume).

If you happen to live in Indianapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Bloomington, Louisville area, we can arrange to travel to your dance studio to meet with several dancers in an afternoon to take measurements and discuss costume needs. Longer distance travel can occur if a pre-professional ballet school can guarantee 4 or more students/ clients.

COVID19 UPDATE: Travel will depend on the destination and what risk factors there may be.

What is the best way to contact you?

We ask that customers either phone or email us. We can miss messages on social media platforms simply because there are too many to keep track of and many times we are busy creating in the studio. Typically we are in the studio Monday through Friday between 10am-4pm CST. Messages to emails will be answered in the evening.

Are your CUSTOM DESIGNED costumes made from a size chart or personalized for each dancer?

Yes, all of our CUSTOM DESIGN orders are made to the dancers measurements. Once we have established the type of costume, color, and style you are looking for, you'll receive an email with a measurement form that we will complete together.

Our READY TO WEAR costumes are typically made in either of the following two sizes: Size A (approximately 10-12yr old) and Size B (approximately 13-16 yr old). Each costume listing will detail it's specific size, so be sure to review the measurements listed.

How and when are payments made for a Custom Design Order?

We understand that a well-made costume is an expensive investment, therefore we offer partial payments if the costume is made well in advance of the performance date. Typically, a $300USD deposit is required to start. This deposit is required to secure your spot in the seasonal work-flow schedule. If a deposit has not been received, your spot is NOT secure and other potential clients may book your spot. As your costume is finished, you will receive a final payment notification. The costume will then be mailed as soon as the final payment has been received. If the final payment is not made within 60 days of the Final Payment Notification, your initial deposit is forfeited (non-refundable) and your Custom Order contract becomes void.

To make your deposit on a custom-made-order, go to the READY TO WEAR tab of the website and choose the CUSTOM MADE COSTUME listing. Follow the prompts and check-out using PayPal to a credit card. You will then receive an initial design consultation with us to review the needs and wants of your costume and we will follow-up with the Purchase Agreement based on that consultation. Measurements will be taken together and a Design Packet will follow for review.

Are your tutus/ costumes for sale on this website?

Under the READY TO WEAR tab, a select few of our tutus are for sale and can be shipped within one week. Only ONE of a style is available and is completely unique. Please review the measurements on each costume listing before making your purchase! Returns are not accepted. Please contact us by phone or email if you are considering a purchase, but are concerned about the 'fit.' We are happy to review measurements with you and give advice regarding the 'fit' of a specific READY TO WEAR costume listed. You can also use our GALLERY tab to see what has been created recently and begin to think about what your custom order might look like and what could be created for you. We can discuss making a tutu similar to a style you see...but unique to you!

Why are your prices slightly higher in your ETSY Shoppe?

Unfortunately it's all about processing fees. Our ETSY Shoppe gives us good visibility but that comes at a higher price obviously. Their processing fees are very high in comparison to our website and to offset that prices on the READY TO WEAR COSTUMES will be slightly more. As a customer you have the choice of purchasing on our ETSY shoppe or our website. Whichever you prefer is your choice. Please understand there is a slight savings if you purchase a READY TO WEAR item directly on our website.

What happens after I sign the Purchase Agreement, pay my deposit, and send in my measurement sheet?

Once the three above requirements have been met, your costume will be placed into the workroom schedule and our final design consultation begins! The client will receive our DESIGN PACKET in the mail which will include a sketch, fabric swatches, color options, trim options, and net colors to approve. You will be asked to review and make selections in a timely manner. The Design Packet is intended to solidify the direction of the overall design of the costume. We want the Design Packet to be fun and not overwhelming, so we are happy to assist with any recommendations.

How long does it take for delivery of my costume from start to finish?

A completely decorated tutu and bodice typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete. We consider the start time to be when the customer has APPROVED the overall Design Packet and the costume is in the pattern & cut phase, not the initial phone consultation. It is recommended to place your order as soon as you know the variation or role you will be performing so that there is ample time to have the costume designed, constructed, and fabrics sourced. Fall and Winter is our busy season.

Please note that it is possible that the costume could take longer than anticipated to finish based on a clients ability to make decisions in a timely manner. If a client takes several weeks to make a decision and other clients are ready to proceed, we give priority to clients that are ready to go. In other words, 'FIRST IN, FIRST OUT' workroom policy. We do not have time in our schedule to hold open spaces for anyone. Thank-you for respecting this rule!

Do you accept returns?

Deposits on custom orders are non-refundable. Custom made items are non-returnable/ non-refundable.

If there is a fit problem due to an error on our part, we will make the necessary alterations and ship the costume back to you at no charge.

It is of the upmost importance that the measurements received from the client are accurate. Do NOT add or subtract measurements. Your costume is made to the measurements we receive from you and depending on the design and fabric choices, let us make the professional decision as to where any extra room might be needed. Also, we are happy to set-up a video call where we can help our clients through their measurement sheet. This is very helpful for both parties involved.

For all custom items, please contact us to discuss the details of your costume. Our initial phone conversation will help us introduce ourselves and let us understand the specific information that will be unique to your tutu and its approximate price. We look forward to creating that special one-of-a-kind costume for you!