The Ballet Bible

Ballet Shoes - Extending the Life

“My shoes are too small!” is the cry from the little ballerina in the hall. Her mom just bought new ballet shoes yesterday it seems. How can she extend the life of these shoes? And how can she avoid having to buy several more pairs this year to keep up with her little dancer’s growing feet?

These are a few tricks to help parents get the most out of their children’s shoes.

• Have your child wear thick socks when trying on new ballet shoes. They can even wear socks with their shoes (studio dress-code permitting) until the shoes get snug and then wear them without socks for the remainder of the life of the shoe.

• Buy a shoe with a good drawstring. If it pulls in nicely, it can be let out at the child’s foot grows. If the drawstring does not pull in the shoe tightly, it is often a sign of a shoe of lesser quality.

• If your child has leather ballet shoes, they can be stretched manually. Take a wooden spoon and place it inside the toe of the shoe. Gently pull back on the shoe while pushing on the spoon. This little trick might help your child get a few more weeks or months out of their shoes.

• Do not let the children wear their shoes outside. Wearing them only at ballet will help with the life of the shoe.

Every hobby has its expenses, but using these simple tips will help you keep your shoe costs down as your child dances their way through life.

Ballet Pointe Shoes

Beginning ballet students look forward to the day when they will advance to ballet pointe shoes. Ballet pointe shoes have an odd shape, but they allow ballet dancers to dance on the very tips of their toes. More advanced ballet dancing requires ballet pointe shoes.

Ballet pointe shoes should not be purchased at a discount store where you wait on yourself, or through the mail. After you have purchased your first pair, and you know exactly what you need, then you may consider ordering ballet pointe shoes through the mail or over the Internet – but that first pair should be fitted by an expert. Visit a shop that sells ballet pointe shoes, or ask your instructor for advice.

Arrive for your fitting prepared. What will you wear with your ballet pointe shoes? If stockings will be worn, make sure that you wear stockings for the fitting. It is very important that you try the shoes on in a way that will be identical to how the shoes will be worn. If padding at the point of the shoes will be used, make sure that you bring that padding with you to the fitting as well.

Purchase lightweight ballet pointe shoes. Lighter shoes make getting up on the tips of your toes easier. Price matters a great deal. Depending on how much ballet dancing you do, the type of surface you are dancing on, and the quality of the shoe, your ballet pointe shoes will need to be replaced often. However, do not sacrifice quality for price, and don’t pay too much for shoes that will need to be replaced often.

When you find ballet pointe shoes that work well for you, buy several pairs of the same shoe at one time. In fact, buy as many pairs as you can afford, and save them for later use. You will want to continue to use the same type of pointe shoes when you find the one that works best for you – having those extra pairs will definitely come in handy!

Ballet Shoes

Purchasing a pair of ballet shoes may sound simple, but there is really quite a bit of detail that goes into selecting the perfect pair of ballet shoes. If you are taking ballet classes, your instructors will probably ask you to purchase a specific type of ballet shoes, and possibly even a specific brand and color. They may even tell you what store to go to.

If your instructors have requested that you purchase a specific type of ballet shoes, then you should absolutely purchase those ballet shoes. If they have not specified a certain type of ballet shoe, then your choices are unlimited. If you are taking beginner classes, you need basic ballet shoes, as opposed to pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are for more advanced students – not beginners.

You should select ballet shoes that have real leather soles. Imitation leather doesn’t hold up well. If you are light, leather will work well for you; however, if you are heavier, you may want to consider canvas ballet shoes. Leather soles often stick to the floor, and canvas doesn’t. When you stick to the floor, not only will your ballet shoes wear out faster, but you may also injure yourself.

Find out if your ballet instructor prefers an elastic band or ribbons on the ballet shoes. Elastic bands that are sewn across the top of the shoe are typically preferred for children, while ribbons are usually reserved for recitals, and elastic bands are preferred for practice. Again, find out what the instructor prefers before making this selection.

Also, before making a purchase, put the shoes on and try a few basic ballet steps to see how the shoes feel. Remember that you won’t just be walking in your ballet shoes! If the shoes are rubbing you the wrong way when you do ballet steps, try a different brand or size. Do not assume that you will ‘break them in.’ Ballet shoes are soft and really don’t need to be broken in – and if they fit you correctly they should be quite comfortable.

Discount Ballet Shoes

Ballet shoes are not a one-time purchase for any ballet dancer. In fact, because ballet shoes wear out quickly, most dancers will go through a half-dozen or more pairs of ballet shoes every year. For this reason, discount ballet shoes may be in order. High-quality discount ballet shoes can be purchased easily over the Internet.

First, before you buy discount ballet shoes, you need to know what type of shoes you like best. There is a wide variety of ballet shoes, and you need to choose the ones that are right for you. Visit a dance shop and try on the various shoes, doing some ballet steps in the shoes. Do not purchase the shoes from the store. Just make a note of the brand, design, and size of the shoe, and return home.

With that information, you can start your search for discount ballet shoes on the Internet. Search for that specific brand, and compare prices. Be careful to read the fine print on any site that you purchase from, making sure that you understand the refund and exchange policy. Also look to see if the shoes are discounted for specific reasons, such as imperfections. Discount ballet shoes that are priced low due to imperfections usually are not worth the discount given.

Often, discontinued shoes are offered at a discount price. If this is the case, purchase as many pairs as you can afford, as long as you know that this particular discount ballet shoe will work well for you. Ballet shoes wear out and need to be replaced, and since the shoes are being discontinued, you won’t be able to find them in the future. You need to think carefully about this because if you get used to dancing in a particular ballet shoe, and that shoe is no longer available, you may have a difficult time in selecting a different discount ballet shoe in the future.

What You Should Know About Ballet Shoe

If you have a daughter, there is undoubtedly some point in your life where you will need to purchase ballet shoes. That being said, many boys are choosing to take ballet as well. When it comes to buying ballet shoes you may be completely clueless on what to look for. If you danced yourself, you will have a better idea of what you need. You child’s teacher may also tell you exactly what to get. Some teachers even let you order the shoes right through them, which is very easy on parents. If you are on your own however, you should think about these three qualities to look for when shopping for ballet shoes.

Great Fit

The first thing you should always do is to make your child come along with you. It will be very important that they try the shoes on to ensure that each shoe has a great fit. You will want to use tights when trying on shoes, for socks will provide a completely different fit in the shoe. Check to see if the shoe is snug and secure on your child’s feet. It is important that the shoe offers a snug fit. You won’t want it coming off in the middle of a dance. Many ballet slippers will have a small elastic strap on the shoe that will help keep the shoe in the proper place. When it comes to children, the strap is essential. Be sure that your child dances around in the shoe to be sure it is comfortable for them. Listen to what they are saying and take in their opinion.

Quality Materials

When it comes to shoes, you will need to think about quality. You can pay $5 for the most inexpensive pair you can find, however you will likely be replacing them several times throughout the year if you do so. Pay a little more to get shoes that are made from great materials. You can find leather or suede combination ballet shoes that will last the entire season. Many will have a leather sole, which will be helpful for the wearer to feel the floor properly. Expert ballerinas will tell you that the manner in which your shoe allows you to feel the floor is an important part of dancing well. Some shoes will be hand stitched while others will be factory made. It really doesn’t matter when it comes to a beginning dancer on which to choose. As long as they seem durable and well put together, they should be fine.

Flexible Design

Ballet shoes should be several things, and one of them is flexible. Your ballet shoes should be rather flexible in order to get the best results from your dancing. While some dancers prefer a little more support, most children will need very flexible styles. You should be able to bend the shoe without damaging it in most cases. The more flexible the design, the more comfortable and natural the shoes will feel. In turn, the more natural they feel, the better dancing results. Beginning dancers should not purchase Pointe ballet shoes. Some people get a little confused if they have never danced. Trained ballerinas should only use pointe shoes. So, be sure that you are looking at the right design before you purchase. You can ask your teacher to be sure.

Sizing

Keep in mind when you are shopping that certain types of shoes will fit differently. Even the smallest thing can cause you to need a size smaller or larger. That is why the best thing to do is have the dancer present when shoe shopping. You can also order your shoes online, but be sure to look around at the sizing charts to be sure you are getting the proper size. Many will tell you how to estimate size based on your street shoe size. Some will be the same size as your street shoe size, while others will tell you to order a half size smaller and such. Also be aware of any refund or exchange policies when you purchase, whether you purchase online or locally. You will want to have the opportunity to bring them back if they are incorrect in any way.