| When buying girls ballet shoes there are a number of | | | | best pair of satin shoes for exams and performances. |
| variables to consider. The fit, the material, the fastening, | | | | The canvas variety are the cheapest and the easiest |
| the sole and the colour. | | | | to clean, but they do not give a great line to the foot. |
| The fit of the shoe is absolutely essential. Take care! | | | | Canvas are good for use on vinyl floors where leather |
| Girls ballet shoe sizing is different from everyday shoe | | | | can get rather sticky! |
| sizing. As a general rule you go up one size if you | | | | Next we will consider the fastening options. Girls ballet |
| intend to wear your ballet shoes with bare feet (not | | | | shoes can be held in place by either elastic or ribbon. |
| normally done) and up one and a half to two sizes if | | | | Elastic is more practical. Putting on and taking off |
| ballet tights or ballet socks are being worn. To establish | | | | elastic fastening ballet shoes is easy, especially for |
| if the fit is correct put them on and stand flat footed. | | | | young girls. Ribbons are the traditional method and look |
| You should be able to pinch the seam all down the | | | | very pretty, but you need to know how to tie the |
| back of the shoe. Next, raise up onto releve (lifting | | | | ribbons and this can be fiddly for the new or young |
| your heel of the floor rise as high as possible onto the | | | | dancer, or parent. |
| ball of your foot) and you should be able to move your | | | | Beware! They do not come with ribbon or elastic on |
| toes without them pushing on the front. | | | | when they are new. Often new shoes will come with |
| It is essential to go along to a local ballet clothes store | | | | two small pieces of elastic ready to sew on yourself. |
| that has a wide variety of girls ballet shoes for you to | | | | Ribbons are often sold separately. |
| try on when purchasing your first pair. Also remember | | | | The sole of the ballet shoes come in two basic types, |
| to take your ballet tights or socks with you when trying | | | | full sole and split sole. This refers to the thicker leather |
| on. | | | | section on the underside of the shoe. Full sole are the |
| Moving on to the material. The three basic varieties | | | | most common and have one piece of leather making |
| are canvas, satin and leather. Leather ballet shoes are | | | | up the sole passing from under the heel to under the |
| the most expensive, but they are the most durable so | | | | balls off the feet. Split sole shoes have two pieces of |
| are ideal for those who practice a lot. Some people | | | | leather under each shoe, one small circular piece under |
| consider that leather shoes hug the foot better and | | | | the heel and another larger piece under the ball off the |
| hence give a better line to the arch of the foot | | | | foot leaving a soft section in the middle that allows for |
| (important in ballet). They are the most expensive, but | | | | greater flexibility of the foot and a better line in pointing. |
| you are only talking about a difference of a couple of | | | | And lastly, the final option is colour. Pale pink is by far |
| pounds. | | | | the most common as this is required for most ballet |
| Satin ballet shoes have the edge for their shiny satin | | | | uniforms and exams. Other common colours include |
| appearance. Young girls all seem to prefer satin for | | | | white, red and black, but you can get almost any |
| this reason. Unfortunately they are difficult to clean and | | | | colour. As a beginner starting out you should always |
| are not overly durable. Don't let this put you off though | | | | opt for pale pink unless your ballet teacher has stated |
| as many young girls are likely to outgrow them before | | | | otherwise. |
| they wear them out! Satin ballet shoes are the | | | | Armed with this information you should know enough |
| prettiest for exams and performances too. Many avid | | | | to purchase your girls ballet shoes with confidence! |
| dancers will have leather shoes to practice in and a | | | | |
