CORRECT FIT

The student should wear tights when trying on her shoes. The correct fit is so precise that wearing socks of even a slightly different thickness than tights could result in purchasing an incorrect size.

Pointe shoes are sized differently than street shoes and each brand has its own method of sizing. A good, snug fit will feel just that -- snug. Correctly fitted pointe shoes will not slip on and off as easily as street shoes or ballet slippers. Due to the shorter wearing time, shorter life, and frequent replacement of pointe shoes, the snug fit does not endanger healthy growing young feet.

Modern pointe shoes are still individually handmade by specially trained and experienced cobblers.

There is no Right or Left shoe designation in new pointe shoes. Either shoe may be worn on either foot. Each shoe should be tried on and evaluated in the following ways:

1. No wrinkles should be visible in the box area of the shoe either while standing flat or on pointe. Their presence probable indicates that the shoe and/or box is too narrow.

2. You should not be able to slip your finger between the edge of the box and the top of the foot when the foot is flat or on pointe. If you can, the shoe is probably to wide.

3. Pointe shoes should fit like a glove on pointe. Because most feet are shorter in length when stretched (pointed) than when standing flat, a correct fitting shoe on pointe will feel very snug on flat.

To check the length, place the foot on pointe. The heel of the shoe should lie smoothly over the heel of the foot. If you can pinch any material together, the shoe is too long. Another indicator of a "too-long" shoe is the feeling the dancer may have, as she rises on pointe, that her toes are slipping down slightly into the box of the shoe. This is a sure sign that blisters will form.. There should be little or no room inside to wiggle the toes.

It may be necessary to try on a dozen or more pairs of shoes before determining which pair fits best.