How to Buy Ballet Shoes

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How to Buy Ballet Shoes

Making a decision to begin to learn ballet dancing means that you also need to find out what kind of clothing your ballet school requires you to have. Although they may have a dress code that requires you to have a certain color leotard and tights, the most important purchase you will make for your new class will be your ballet shoes.

Ballet shoes are shoes specially made for ballet and are a requirement when dancing ballet since they protect and support your feet when dancing. The toes are mainly used in ballet that is why ballet shoes are made with toe pads that will prevent your toes from being injured especially while you are performing.

There are different types of ballet shoes for different purposes. You need to choose between two materials which are used to manufacture ballet shoes.

1. Beginners are usually recommended to buy soft ballet shoes. This type of shoes is easy to just slip in and out of, and you will soon get used to wearing them. Once you are an advanced ballet dancer and want to begin dancing "en Pointe" you will need Pointe ballet shoes that will help you to balance more accurately on your toes as well as give even greater protection against injury for your feet.

2. Suede/leather full-soled shoes are also good for beginners as they support the feet while still maintaining flexibility. These shoes help to strengthen the dancer's feet, which in turn means they can perform more advanced steps. For more advanced dancers there are split-soled shoes which result in a more defined movement as the toe and heels are covered but allow greater flexibility and bending of the foot.

Tips for Ballet Shoe Buying

Pay attention to the material your new ballet shoes are made of. Leather may feel a little tight and uncomfortable at first, but as you use them the leather will stretch and little creating a "custom fit" for your feet. Leather ballet shoes will also last you longer than some of the other types of ballet shoes. A cheaper alternative to leather shoes are canvas ballet shoes. These have more pleats and provide greater support for your feet, but they don't stretch and mould into your foot shape as leather shoes do. If you have a wide foot however, canvas may be a better choice.

Never buy ballet shoes without trying them on in the shop. Stand on the balls of your feet and balance to see how they fit. Your feet must feel supported by the shoes, almost like an additional skin. You should be able to move around in the shoes without feeling that your toes are cramped. Remember if they're leather, they may feel tight, but they shouldn't feel small! If you are buying the shoes at a dance clothing store, ask the assistant to help you get the best fitting ballet shoe you can.

Shopping for your ballet shoes is something that needs to be done when you're not in a hurry. Remember, the most important thing about buying ballet shoes is that they fit perfectly!