How to Fit Ballet Shoes

If your child is about to learn to Ballet Dance then you will have the exciting but daunting task of choosing their first pair of ballet shoes. It’s highly likely that your child’s teacher will have asked you to purchase a specific type of shoe in a particular colour and possibly even from a particular brand. However, if your child’s teacher hasn’t given you this guidance, then this article should help you choose the right pair.

Ballet shoes are available in leather, canvas and satin. The most delicate of these fabrics is satin which makes it only recommended for special performances. Leather is by far the most recommended because it is very soft, breathable and also hard-wearing. Its flexibility will allow your child to flex their foot easily, and the fact that leather is so hard-wearing means that ballet shoes made from this fabric will outlast any other fabric. The only downside to leather is that it is the most expensive of the three fabrics. If you’re not sure whether your child will keep up Ballet Classes, a good alternative is canvas as this is relatively hard-wearing, easy to maintain, and cheaper than leather.

The next decision to make is whether your choose a split sole or a full sole. A full sole covers the full length of the foot from the ball to the heel whereas a split sole has a split in the middle. The full sole will require your child’s foot to work harder in order to achieve a pointe. This helps build muscle in the foot which in turn will help develop control. When you child progresses to a shoe with a split sole, they will have developed a very elegant and beautifully curved foot.

Once you know which shoe you want, you next need to make sure you get the best fit. To do this, put on the ballet shoe and stand with one leg forward, toe pointed with the tip touching the floor. When doing this, there should be enough space for a good pinch at the back of the pointed foot. If you’re not sure which size to choose, go for the slightly bigger one rather than going for a pair that are too small as the tight ballet shoes are very uncomfortable.

When you have purchased a pair of ballet shoes for your child, you will have to sew on the elastics. This is because the manufacturers deliberately leave off the elastics so you can sew them on in exactly the right place. To do this, place your ballet shoe on a flat surface with the sole facing down. Keeping the sole of the ballet shoe flat, fold down the heel of the shoe against the lining and use a pencil to lightly mark where the folded upper meets the binding. Stitch one side of the elastic onto the lining and binding but be very careful not to put the needle through the ballet shoe upper. Next, put on the shoe and pull the elastic over the instep, mark where the elastic meets the binding and stitch the elastic to the other side. Following these steps will ensure that the elastic is sewn on in the correct place and your child’s ballet shoes are as comfortable as possible!

About the Author

Dance Gear Direct are experts in providing dancewear with over 30 years experience. For more information about our extensive range of ballet shoes, please visit our website www.dancegeardirect.co.uk.

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