Basic Information About Ballet Dance Shoes
Women started to perform the ballet dance in the year 1681, exactly twenty years after King Louis XIV of France ordered the establishment of the Royal Academy of Dance. Today, ballet is still a well-loved dance, especially by young girls who fancy about being a ballerina in a pink tutu and silk ballet shoes. During the 17th century, the standard ballet dance shoes for women had heels. Today, ballet shoes, or also known as ballet slippers, have very thin soles for flexibility as well as safety purposes.
The traditional ballet dance shoes have a leather sole which does not reach the edges of the shoe. At present, ballet shoes have a split sole which gives dancers greater flexibility while performing. Modern ballet shoes are usually made from soft leather, satin, and canvas. Leather shoes are very durable and are ideal for professional dancers. Canvas shoes, on the other hand, are easier on the pocket but wear faster than ballet shoes made out of leather. Satin shoes, meanwhile, wear out very quickly and hence are worn only during performance.
The cost of ballet shoes depends on the materials and the type of shoes (soft slippers or pointe shoes). The price of soft slippers can range anywhere between $20 and $50, depending on whether the material used is leather, canvas, or satin. Of course, leather shoes will be more expensive than canvas and satin. Capezio juliette, which comes at $30, is an example of fairly affordable split sole leather shoes. Canvas shoes like Grishko Performance usually cost around $30 to $40, although it’s possible to find a pair for as cheap as $15. Pointe shoes are way more expensive than soft slippers. They are usually priced between $60 and $100. Some can even cost as much as $300.
Novice ballet dancers usually do not require the same type of ballet dance shoes as more experienced dancers. Beginning ballet dancers only need a pair of basic ballet shoes that will protect their feet and allow them to learn the fundamental techniques of ballet. More often than not, new ballet dancers will require a pair that has a full sole (a sole that runs the entire length of the shoe). A full sole can support the entire foot of beginners, especially the arch. Usually, the ballet shoes for beginners are made from thicker leather to help support the foot of the ballerina who has not yet achieved a lot of strength in their feet.
For intermediate dancers who have already achieved a good amount of training and foot strength, a softer pair of ballet slippers is recommended. Since intermediate dancers, have more or less developed stronger arches, split toe ballet shoes are the best to wear. Split sole ballet dance shoes have a leather sole that is split into two areas on the foot: the ball of the foot and the heel of the foot. The split sole provides the traction that intermediate dancers need, yet does not fully support their foot like a pair of full sole would, thereby encouraging them to strengthen their foot. Advanced ballet dancers, on the other hand, will likely dance wearing a good pair of pointe ballet shoes.
When shopping for ballet shoes, one must give number one priority to the shape and fit of the ballet shoes. A lot of beginning ballet dancers end up with a sore feet because of incorrect size and fit. In general, however, it is best to purchase ballet shoes based on their fit, not the size. The reason for this is because the “size number” on the shoe may not be exactly your shoe size. A soft ballet shoe should fit like a glove – not too loose and not too tight. For parents who are shopping for their child’s ballet shoes, it is advisable to avoid buying a pair of ballet slippers that is larger than their child’s feet. Parents are recommended to purchase a shoe that perfectly fits their child’s foot to avoid injury and frustration.
Ballet dance shoes are the most important accessory for new and experienced ballet dancers. A snug pair of ballet shoes allows dancers to gain strength and control in his or her feet. Hence, one should never underestimate the importance of having a good pair of ballet shoes, as they can spell the difference between success and failure in ballet.
