The right shoes?
Ballet shoes today come in a range of materials and fits. There are many different brands to choose from and each brand of ballet shoe is slightly different. Some dance brands suit a narrower foot, some suit a wider foot, some have pre-sewn elastics and some have elasticated draw-strings rather than plain. Each dancer tends to develop a preference for a certain shoe as they progress and try different brands and styles. It is vitally important that the ballet shoe fits the dancer’s foot well in the same way as their outdoor shoes. If the ballet shoe is a poor fit it can affect the dancer’s foot health as well as their ability to dance well. We would recommend buying ballet shoes from a reputable dance brand rather than a fashion brand or from a supermarket. If in doubt, it is best to seek your dance teacher’s advice. Many dance schools have a uniform shop so can order in ballet shoes for the dancer to try on.
Ballet Shoes that are too big
It is important that ballet shoes fit like a glove and are not bought to “grow into”. Shoes that are too big do not support the foot properly and can lead to issues such as ‘rolling’ where the inner foot rolls inwards and the arch is not lifted correctly. They can also pose a trip hazard as the excess material around the toe curls upwards. If the dancer’s shoe is too big it is much harder to point his/her foot properly and it is also difficult for the teacher to see the line of the foot clearly to enable them to help correct technique.
Ballet Shoes that are too small
Not only will shoes that are too small be uncomfortable but they can lead to foot problems later on such as bunions. The dancer’s toes should be able to lie flat in the shoe. If the big toe joint is bent or the toes appear to be curling, then the shoe is too small. It can be frustrating for parents when they have perhaps bought new shoes in one term only to find at the beginning of the next term, they are too small. As children grow, their feet tend to grow first before you notice they have grown taller. Even when students’ feet appear to have stopped growing, it is quite possible that if their ballet shoes feel unusually tight, their feet may have grown very slightly which may not be noticeable in their outdoor shoes but is evident in their ballet shoes. In these cases, it is worth trying a half size bigger so they can dance in comfort.
Ballet Shoes that are too wide
If the drawstring of the shoe has to be pulled excessively this could mean the ballet shoe is too wide. There will also be excess material visible at the sides and perhaps some gaping. A shoe that is too wide can also slip off at the heel when the dancer rises up on demi-pointe.
Ballet Shows that are too narrow
If the dancer’s foot appears to be falling out of the sides of the shoe or the sides don’t come up high enough around the foot, then the shoe is too narrow. Sometimes, if a dancer’s workload has increased, for example, extra rehearsals for a performance or an exam, this could result in a slight change in foot shape with the foot becoming slightly wider. Also in hot weather, the feet have a tendency to swell so often a shoe that did fit well could feel too snug.
Sewing elastics
Some brands have the elastics pre-sewn, others have perhaps one side of the elastic sewn so the dancer will need to sew the other side to fit their foot. It’s important to ensure the elastics are positioned correctly and sewn securely to ensure the dancer has the maximum comfort and support while dancing. The video below gives useful tips on how to sew ballet shoe elastics.
We hope you found this helpful. Please get in touch if you need any help or advice on dance shoes.
