Nothing is more exciting for parents with an aspiring dancer than getting all the necessary apparel, including a new pair of shoes. But if you haven't danced before, buying your child their first pair of ballet shoes might seem intimidating - with a myriad of shoe types that are available in the dance stores. A perfect fit is essential for comfort and concentration in class. You'll want your child to pay attention on technique and choreography, without making a fuss over shoes. To make the right choice, there are several important things to consider.
Material
Basically, you can choose between two main materials: leather and canvas. Leather is more popular and durable material ballerina shoes are made from. Although you might think that they're sturdier than canvas, leather shoes for ballet provide adequate support to young feet, helping them strengthen and develop the right technique. Leather shoes are more expensive but are ones that last longer. They might tend to stretch and mould to a dancer's foot when warm or worn a lot. To most people, leather shoes look more elegant as they highlight a pointed foot. However, some dancers prefer canvas shoes. These shoes are made from a woven material which makes them comfortable and light, a way easier to clean than leather shoes. You can just put them into the washing machine on a gentle wash, while leather shoes for ballet require a different kind of care. Canvas shoes tend to get holes around wearer's toes easily. Meaning they wear out more quickly (especially when used several times a week).
One of the most important factors when choosing a ballet shoe is the right fit. The shoe should fit like a sock or glove, with no extra material or puckers that pinch at the top of the shoe. It should not snug or bind to curl the toes inside the shoes or squeeze the widest part of the feet or a ball. As children feet are still developing and growing it's important to have a close-fitting shoe so that the teacher can correct your child's posture if needed. A proper fit will also make your child feel the floor better when learning ballet technique. Improper fitting may lead to certain injuries, so if you're buying a shoe for the first time, you should ask a qualified professional for the advice.
Ballet requires shoes that are made of full soles or split soles. Young children usually must wear shoes with full soles (one piece that goes from the heel to toes), but some adult dancers also like full-soled shoes because of resistance. Full-sole shoes are similar to pointe shoes, and this is important for dancers who are ready to dance on their toes (note that dancing on toes is not recommended without real pointe shoes and only when a dancer has fully gained the technique and strength). Half-sole shoes are split between the heel and the toe. Some dancers who want to create a stronger point prefer it because half-sole allows you to point your foot more easily, providing you with a more flattering look.
Elastics
When reaching out for a pair of shoes, remember that some are sold without the elastics. Ankle elastics main purpose is to secure a shoe to the feet. They're left off the shoe so that dancers may check themselves and decide where exactly they want to have it (depending on the arch of the foot). Some parents still feel better when they find a pair with pre-sewn elastics, and that's a great choice if that pair happen to have a good fit. Ankle elastics come with a single straight piece of two crisscrossing pieces. On another hand, top opening elastics are adjustable but know that a drawstring tie may be pulled out accidentally. Also, you'll need to trim excess and tuck ends into the top of the shoe, which is uncomfortable for some dancers.
Colour
The colour you gonna buy mostly depends on the requirements of the ballet school your child is attending. Make sure you ask your teacher if he or she has a preference prior to buying. Generally pink is reserved for girls, although some schools prefer they wear white. Boys usually go for black or white shoes. There are a plethora of colours you can choose from - nude colour, for instance, is often an ideal choice for female dancers.
Ballet dance shoes are sized differently than regular shoes, and brands usually indicate the difference in sizing. Always read the suggestions and customers feedback to help you make the right decision. Your dance teacher might be of great help as they have many years of experience in fitting themselves and their students for shoes. Don't be shy to ask as many questions as you need – having the right shoes will help your kid enjoy this exciting learning experience much more.