What to Expect at Your First Pointe Shoe Fitting

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Hi Friends!

It seems many of you are reaching your goals of going on pointe! So first off, Congratulations!! There is no more exciting a time for a ballet dancer than getting pointe shoes for the first time! :)

If you are completely new to pointe shoes as an adult, you may be wondering just what to expect when you go to the store to get fitted. There is so much build up to this moment, that it can be a bit nerve-wracking when it gets here. It's the first time you'll actually stand on pointe! But no need to panic. You will be great :)

Below I've compiled some tips & information to help you prepare!




Attire
If you plan to dance in your pointe shoes with pink tights over your feet, wear pink tights to your fitting. If you plan to dance in them barefoot, try them on without tights. Wear shorts, yoga pants, or loose pants that you can easily roll up so you can see what's going on with your feet and ankles. Full ballet class attire is not necessary.

What to Bring
If you are brand spankin' new to pointe, then you'll want to purchase some kind of toe pad either online beforehand or at your dance store. I really like the Ouch Pouch Jr. Large. Once you've been on pointe for awhile and have an idea of what kind of toe protection you like best, make sure you bring that to every fitting after. The general rule is that you don't want too much protection on your feet because you still want to be able to "feel the floor". I, personally, wear my Ouch Pouches with the Bunheads Big Tip on my second toes because they are crazy long and I lose my toenails without them! I'm currently not using toe tape since getting back on pointe in December, but when I do need it, this stuff is amazing. Don't buy the off brand version because it does not work as well!

What Will Happen
The person fitting you will first measure your feet for length & width. They will also take note of your toes shape & length, and your arch height. Based on this information they should have an idea of what shoes to start with. If you want more background information on that process, Abby and I go into more detail about the different parts of the pointe shoe and how they fit different feet types in our Intro to Pointe Shoes video.

From there, I would say the trying on process can be as quick as a 1/2 hour, to as long as 2 hours if you're a first timer. It can be tricky the first time around to understand what you should consider "comfortable" because honestly, you're standing on your toes, it's not like trying on jazz shoes or soft slippers! BUT, I do think you will notice the sweet spot of comfort after trying on many different types of shoes.

You should try on as many pairs as you need until you find a pair that:

  • Allows your toes to lay completely flat (no curling or scrunching) when standing.
  • Feels snug around your foot and toes, but doesn't pinch anywhere when standing, on pointe, or on demi-pointe.
  • The shank/sole stays even with your foot (no movement to the side when on pointe).
  • Allows you to get fully over the platform (flat portion at the end of the shoe) without buckling over.

There are many more factors than those three, but I think those are some big ones to be aware of when your fitter is asking you questions about how a shoe feels. The more you can communicate what's happening inside your shoe, the quicker the fitting process will go (not that you have to be quick. please take your time!). If you happen to get a really good fitter, they will know before you ever even go on pointe if a shoe is going to work or not! Which brings me to...

Final Tips
  • If possible, go to a well-recommended dance store that carries a variety of pointe shoe brands. Twice I have driven 3 hours to get a really good fitting at a superb dance store!
  • The person fitting you should bring out as many shoes as needed until you find a fit. If you don't find a fit, or they seem annoyed to bring out more than three pairs of shoes, I would take your business elsewhere.
  • Before you sew or do anything to your shoes, have your teacher look at you in them to double check they are a good fit!! Pointe shoes can not be returned if the satin is scuffed or the shoe has been altered in any way!

Let me know in the comments below if this was helpful to you! I'd love to hear about your first fitting experiences if you'd like to share! And if you fancy watching me talk about these tips, check out our corresponding video right here!




Also helpful: How to Sew Your Pointe Shoes Ribbons & Elastic :)

Follow Ballerinas By Night!

36 comments

Unknown said...

I love your blog! I will never be a "real" ballet dancer, as I don't even have a place that offers adult classes (the last place I went to that did - they've since shut down - their "adult" class actually meant 11-15-years and then me, lol), so I just do ballet-inspired at home workouts right now. I also have a bad back and have to be very careful. Anyways, I can dance vicariously, lol.

~Kelly
www.leafynotbeefy.com

Ballerinas By Night said...

Thank you, Kelly! So sorry to hear that you don't have a good place to take classes. That is so frustrating :( We're hoping to add some more follow along class videos on our YouTube channel, but for now we have this one if you haven't done it yet! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqXr-ZUO_54. It's not quite the same as being IN class, but hopefully the next best thing?! We're here for ya :)

Berry Smiles said...

This is such a helpful post. Thank you! I'm getting my first pair of pointe shoes fitted in the next few weeks and had no idea what to look for or expect. This is a brilliant help and I love your blog. Thank you so much! Sarah x http://berrysmiles.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Thank you very much for this information. I'm learning how to dance and I need to get a pointe shoe fitting. I am really unsure of what to expect, so I thought I should do some research on the subject. Your advice on finding the right shoe was very helpful. I'll be sure to remember it.

Susan Hirst | http://www.bouncepodiatry.com.au/services/dancers/pointe-shoe-fitting/

skram said...

I'm just curious what the suggestion is for those of us with flat feet (or pronated due to no natural arch).
I can point my toes well, and have a nice arch when doing so, but have always wondered if a firm shank is better or something with less support to allow what flexibility I have to come through, since there is no natural arch. I also have "Egyptian feet" (although the second toe is close in length t the first, then they taper off) so no square toes for me, apparently a tapered box is best.
Mind you, I don't dance- I got into the Joffrey ballet school as a kid but my mum couldn't be bothered to take me to class so I never got to realise those dreams, but I still enjoy reading about dance and so on.
I hope to start some basic ballet to supplement my pole work and thought pointe would be a great thing to incorporate into a stage show.
Anyway, cool blog, even if it is aimed at people much younger than me :)

Ballerinas By Night said...

Jana did a really great video on low arches: https://youtu.be/W6v8VDoAV0Y. I would definitely recommend a softer shank in the case of low arches, with an emphasis on strengthening the ankles.

skram said...

Thanks so much :) I wear 7" heels (I do pole dance/sport) which definitely helps to strengthen the ankle because of the inherent instability ;)
When I was fitted for pointe shoes in my early 20's the lady was surprised at how well I rolled up onto pointe but still, flat feet are a problem as you naturally pronate, it's very hard not to.
Thanks for the link <3

Anonymous said...

I’m starting pointe very soon, and I’ve researched so much but no where else told me what’s to wear/have when I go to a fitting! Thank you!

Jadyn said...

This was so helpful! I am an 11 year old girl that just go permission to start! I am so exited. I was nervous about what to expect at my first fitting, but now I know! I am going to fancy footworks to get my shoes. Is that an ok place or should I go someplace else? I just wanted to let you know live in Michigan too.

Thank you for reading!
Jadyn:)

qasim ali said...

very nice information .love to see you again and again read more

qasim ali said...

flat feet
shoes

Anonymous said...

I just got my first pair of pointe shoes today. Thanks for this article, it made me feel less nervous. The person fitting my shoes definetly had to bring out more than 3 pairs but didn't seem anoyed at all. Is Merlet a good brand of pointe shoes? Those are the ones I have.

Richard Warfield said...

A correctly fitting pointe shoe should feel snug. It isn't possible to fit pointe shoes with a growing room. A loose shoe increases the chance of injury and the dancer will not have the correct control of movement.
Visit here @ https://kidsole.com/, different different varieties shoes.

Anonymous said...

Hello we don't know how old this is but um yeah IDK what to say but this is useful for us we think we are very close to getting onto pre-pointe classes and then to pointe on my studio.

~Malachite, Clay, Ozone, and Ombre

Edited by Rosi + Onyx Brokerston

Allej Kosmosia Finoric + Kuscha Maledori Avion-Criaas said...

Hello, I think that I'm quite close to getting on pointe now. I always try to improve my body and practice. If anyone sees this, then I hope you reach your dreams too.

-Allej Kosmosia Finoric & Kuscha Maledori Avion-Criaas

Luv to u all!

seoexpert said...

Much obliged for sharing the data, keep doing awesome... I truly delighted in investigating your site. great asset...tadafil

Cenforce 200 mg said...

Cenforce 200 (Sildenafil Citrate) moreover comprehend as conventional Viagra loosens up the smooth muscles blessing inside the mass of veins and helps in expanding the progression of blood inbound explicit spaces of the body. Cenforce 200 is utilized for the treatment of erection issues and respiratory organ Hypertension.

Cenforce 100 said...

Cenforce 100 is utilized to help the individual allure all through sexual time and to obliterate men's sexual issues. A medication upheld Sildenafil turn is cenforce that gives vicinity to sexual time. Cenforce drugs attempt to resuscitate the joy of private associations. one in everything about the first triple-crown dysfunction drugs is cenforce medication.

Cenforce D said...

All men inside the world perceive that beneath certain conditions, they'll have some erection troubles. These erection troubles are settled with the help of cenforce d tablet. when your erection occurs for level, cenforce assists men with accomplishing and keep up with a cumbersome erection and for essentially eight hours.

Buy Cenforce 150 said...

Purchase Cenforce 150 pill Online, Cenforce 150 mg contains is sildenafil. Cenforce 150mg a classification PDE matter medicine. this is frequently the best medication for dysfunction (ed). See Review, Price, aspect impacts, and Dosage.

Vidalista 60mg said...

Vidalista 60mg Tablet is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis. This helps men to get or maintain an erection. It belongs to a group of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors.
More Tablets for ED : Vidalista 10mg | Vidalista 40mg | Vidalista 20mg

our website: Vidalista60.com

Norman Sander said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sunbedbooster said...

Irresponsible blog that you are write without fear. If you are fear something like that pain and would not able to relief after long time due to injury in adult. Option is best pain relief medication that is known name of Tramadol 225mg for straightway relief from severe pain. Tramadol 225mg With Low Cost And Fast Free Shipping In USA.

Click Here For Order : Buy Tramadol 225mg Online USA

Click Here For Tapentadol 100MG Order : Buy Tapentadol 100mg Medicines Without Prescription Online USA

Nutra Oragnix said...

Very useful blog to me after read to this. We are offers herbal capsules like weight loss herbal capsules and anxiety reliever herbal remedy capsules for men's and women's . Buy Blue Lotus Powder Capsules For Anxiety Relief
It is used to treat stress if you are suffering from insomnia and sleep disorder. Blue Lotus Capsules is useful herbal remedy to make sure relieve to anxiety. Buy Blue Lotus Extract Capsules Online One Day Delivery In USA

Anonymous said...

Thanks to Dr OSAGIE for helping me increase the size of my Penis. I have been married for a long time and due to my small Penis I was unable to satisfy my wife and that made us childless and my wife planned to leave me I was really disappointed with myself and I was also having weak erection I thought all my hope was gone not until I saw a testimony on how the same Dr OSAGIE helped someone increase his Penis size. I was desperate to do anything to regain my sex life back and I contacted him and he promise to help me so he gave me a herbal mixture which i was using and after three days I began to experience changes. I am writing this testimony not only because he has helped me increase the size of my Penis, I can now satisfy my wife and my wife is three months pregnant. All thanks to Dr OSAGIE if you are having a weak erection problem or small Penis size contact him with his email:drosagiesolutionhome5 @ gmail. com or whats app him +2347035866588.

WILSON BRUCE said...

hello everyone here, I am from ITALY , i want to share a great testimony of how Dr SUNDAY herbal mixture cream saves me from shame and disgrace, my penis size was a big problem to me as the size was really so embarrassing and discouraging, a 33 year old full grown man like me having 2.5 inches penis and to worsen it i don't last in sex i cant even last one minutes it was really a thing of shame my wife was really tired of me because my sex life was very poor , she never enjoyed sex, i was always thinking and searching for solutions everywhere until last months when i saw a testimony of how Dr SUNDAY herbal mixture cream have been helping people from the globe,i saw one MR JAMES testifying of how Dr SUNDAY helped him enlarge his penis size so i decided to give him a try ,we talked and he gave me steps to follow which i did and to my greatest surprise in less than 14 days of taking the herbal mixture cream my penis grow to 10 inches i couldn't believe my eyes and as i speak now my penis is now 10 inches long and i was amazed when my wife said i satisfy her so well now all thanks to Dr Sunday herbal mixture cream,i will forever be grateful to him .you can contact him email: drsundaysolutionhomerene@gmail.com or visit his website https://drsundaysolutionho.wixsite.com/drsunday and you can call/whatsapp +2348087039551
THANKS

Unknown said...

There is a great herbal man called Dr voodoo who can cure Hepatitis B virus and other deadly diseases with the use of natural herbs to cure Hepatitis B virus problems. He is from Africa and he is a great doctor and he can also cure you as well if you are have the problem And other deadly disease and here is email address voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com or Whatsapp +2348140120719 HERPES CURE,CANCER CURE,HIV/AIDS CURE,HPV CURE

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this information also visit my site please Cenforce 100

emma bailey said...

Buy Oxaliplatin Injection Online at best price.

Onlinepillsrx said...

http://www.onlinepillsrx.co/Eye-Care/Buy-Bimatoprost-Online at best price.

Scofio morgan said...

I had Erectile issue for 4 years, all my relationship kept crashing until i came across a herbalist who fixed my erectile problem. He also cured me from herpes virus..through herbal means...Robinsonbucler {@gmail} com…………………

RSM Multilink LLP said...

Femalefil 10mg is an efficient Medicine, helps in treating sensual dysfunction in women. The active ingredient of this Medicine is Tadalafil 10mg.
Femalefil 10mg (Cialis For Women)
Order Now : +91 92163-25377

ishan said...

One of the standout features of vilitra 60 mg is its long duration of action. It can remain effective for up to 36 hours, allowing for spontaneity in sexual activity. This extended window sets it apart from some other ED medications.

buymedicinesonlinenorx said...

Ambien is a powerful sleep medication that can help to alleviate the frustration and exhaustion caused by insomnia. By gently easing your mind and body into a state of relaxation, Ambien can transform a restless night into a peaceful slumber.
Buy Ambien online without RX in USA

ishan said...

Cenforce 130 mg mg has demonstrated efficacy in helping men achieve and maintain a satisfactory erection

Pills Directory Store said...

You Decide To Treatment Of Severe Pain, Short-Term Anxiety, Fear and Emotional stress. you can find all generic as well as branded medicines.

Buy Klonopin Online

Copyright © Ballerinas By Night. Blog Design by SkyandStars.co