| Once you have done enough ballet technique classes | | | | them, and look over the widths, lengths and box types |
| to need to buy pointe shoes, you need to understand | | | | (tapered, square, etc.), and strength of the shanks. |
| sizing. The variety of shapes, styles and stiffness of | | | | If you do not know your foot type, stand on a piece of |
| ballet toe shoes is almost overwhelming. Although, as | | | | paper and draw an outline of your foot. This is |
| you will find out, all of that variety may not be available | | | | something you can take with you to your first ballet |
| in your local dance wear stores. Here are some ballet | | | | toe shoe fitting. |
| tips to help you research ballet pointe shoes, before | | | | Even though your are not going to make any decisions |
| you get to sizing and finding exactly the right fit. | | | | at this time, you will see the wide array of possibilities in |
| Your first pointe shoe fitting will take a lot of time, | | | | fitting your first pointe shoes. |
| assuming your area dance wear store has a lot of | | | | You probably already know whether you have more |
| choices. First, call the stores closest to you and ask | | | | flexible, stiffer, or hyper-mobile ankle joints. This |
| what brands they sell. You need to get an idea of | | | | determines the type of shank (inner sole support) you |
| your options. | | | | will need. |
| Take notes! | | | | The length of toes you have will also determine what |
| Then, go on the internet and search each brand. Get | | | | height of vamp you will require. And if your heel is |
| on the main site for the brands, and look for a "sizing" | | | | narrower than the rest of your foot. |
| chart, which will often be a pdf file. You can download | | | | |
