Pointe Shoe Fitting?! Help!?

Question

I'm going on this Tuesday 7/12/11 to get fitted for Russian Pointe Shoes. My mom can sew them. But, how much should we plan on spending (padding, shoes, and ribbons?) & What padding is the best? What should I wear (Dance attire?) Help Please! 10pts!

Answer 1

Congratulations on getting your first pointe shoes, it's such an exciting thing. I just got mine 8 months ago. :)



Pointe shoes and their accessories all vary in price depending on brand and styles. You should expect to pay at least $100 though. My pointe shoes were $82 and overall I spent $110 on those along with ribbons, elastic and toe pads. I know many brands of shoes range from around 50-90 dollars.



There is no "perfect padding" out there that will work for everyone. Each dancer has her own shape of foot and pain tolerance, no one is the same. You'll have to go with whatever padding you're most comfortable with. The goal is to preferably have as little padding as possible to feel the floor, so don't be afraid to try just plain lambswool with toe tape along with your toe pads, and other accessories needed for your feet. Who knows, the lambswool may work best or it may be the toe pads!



For your fitting, you should wear a pair of convertible tights and a leotard or a top with shorts or pants you can roll above the knee. A top with shorts or a leotard are most conveniant however as pants can most often fall down again and get in the way. (I know as I got fitted when it was probably 20 degrees out and HAD to wear pants... didn't think of bringing shorts or my leotard either. >.<)



You'll try on many different styles of Russian Pointe shoes and go see which one works best. You'll usually be asked to plie in them, and stand en pointe at a barre to make sure you're comfortable in them and can get over the box at least fairly well for not having them broken in.



Don't be afraid to ask the fitter questions either. You want this to be a good experience for you and your first pair of shoes! You don't want to go home with the wrong pair and be in agony wearing them to class until they either die, or you're forced to replace them.



Hope I helped! :)

Answer 2

Wendy has a great answer:) First, congrats! This is soooo exciting! To answer your first question, you should plan on spending up to $200, though I doubt you will spend that much. My pointe shoes were $70, but will the padding and toe spacers ( which will you won't need unless you have big gaps between your first 2 toes ) it was $110.

What I wear usually is a fitted t-shirt, tights that you would use when dancing en pointe, and sophie shorts:) That is the perfect outfit:)

Don't be nervous at all, the women at dance supply stores are very nice, especially to newbies:) And they will guide you through everything, they won't just expect you to know what to do:)



Good luck!



For more tips about beginning pointe, check out my blog! gettothepointe-anna.blogspot.com:)

Answer 3

Congratulations! Very exciting! First, make sure you have teacher permission and are completely ready! Now, as far as the price, be prepared to write a big check. The pointe shoes will be about $80. You can expect to pay upwards of $25 for gel toe pads (Ouch Pouch) but not all dancers use that brand. Toe spacers (Super Spacers) can cost up to $10 but again, not all dancers need those. Ribbons and elastics will be about $6. With tax you can expect to pay about $140 but some stores give a discount for your first pair. The best option is to bring the check book ;)



Padding is dancer preference.



It is best to wear a leotard with pink transformable (can go from footed to footless) tights. The fitter may ask you to take off your tights but it is best to be prepared. Wear pants that can roll up like sweatpants. Also clip your toenails!!!



Have tons of fun and good luck en pointe.

Answer 4

Shoes are expensive, personally, I have Grishko 2007 and they were $84.00 w/o tax. Padding can range in value, up to about twenty dollars or so, and I prefer gellows, if you buy them, a way to make them last longer is wear them flipped inside out (get is on the inside) and wear them over your tights. As for ribbons and elastic, both are only a few dollars, and you can buy them at www.discountdance.com

but only the padding, ribbons, and elastic, only once you have found the perfect shoes, that you want to use forever and ever can you buy them online.

*tip* always get fitted in the PADDING you are planning to buy and use.