Buying Ballet Shoes

Follow these simple guidelines when buying ballet shoes for your student.

1. Ballet shoes should be leather.  The satin bedroom-type slippers sold in many kids departments with the dance items are meant for play, not for class.  Canvas shoes do not provide enough traction on our wood studio and theater floors.
2. For our studio, girls need "ballet pink" ballet shoes (not pastel pink), and boys need black ballet shoes.
3. Shoes should fit your student’s feet snugly.
   1. When standing flat, the largest toe should be touching the tip of the shoe.
   2. The foot should be flat in the shoe without curled or overlapping toes.
   3. When the foot is pointed, the shoe should still fit close to the foot without a large gap at the end – if you can pinch the end of the shoe with your fingers, it is too large.
4. Do not write in or allow your dancer to wear their new shoes until they are checked by Miss Zachari.  This is the only way they can be exchanged if the fit isn't correct.

 
Please take your dancer to a dancewear store such as Grand Jete (Grand Avenue, St Paul) and Step 'N Stretch (Arden Hills, Burnsville and Minnetonka).  They have staff who can help your student find the right fit. 

If you choose to order shoes online:

1. Please choose vendors with a free return policy so you can order several sizes (both larger and smaller than you think you need). 
2. You may need to order shoes in both pink and the color "nude" to get a proper match to the "ballet pink" needed for classes and performance. 
3. Set up a time with Miss Zachari to bring in all ordered shoes so she can fit your dancer properly.  There is a $5 fitting charge for this service.  (Note: There is no charge for checking shoes purchased at our local dancewear stores).

Buying Pointe Shoes

ONLY dancers who have been approved for pointe shoes by Miss Zachari should purchase pointe shoes!!!!!
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It is dangerous for anyone to wear pointe shoes without the proper training.  When your dancer is approved, we will go as a group for the first pair to make sure all dancers know how they should feel.

Once your dancer is ready for their second pair of shoes, please follow these simple guidelines:

1. Set up an appointment at the dance store for a pointe shoe fitting.  This helps them make sure they have the right employees scheduled to give you the best service!
2. Do not rush the process.  It is better for your dancer to take their time and try on a few pairs of shoes than to take the first pair they try on, even if it is the same brand and style as their previous pair.  You don't want to be buying another pair in two weeks because your dancer realizes they don't feel right.
3. Do NOT do anything to the shoes (including writing on them or the packaging) until they have been approved by Miss Zachari.  This is the only way they can be exchanged if Miss Zachari catches something wrong in the fit that was missed in the store.
4. Once your shoes are approved, have your dancer follow the directions on their Pointe Band to finish preparing them for class.

Never buy pointe shoes online.  Even if you have been dancing on pointe for years and stopped growing, your foot continues to change, and the pointe shoe construction process continues to evolve.  It is important to be professionally fit for every pair of pointe shoes.