Ballet Pointe Shoes - Freed Studios Opera

by Samira

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Freed Studios Opera

These are absolutely great for beginners! They have a light weight shank and box. The shank allows roll through and while the box is lightweight, it is supportive because of the amount of glue in it.

============================================

Reply by Odette
To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes - Freed Studios Opera

Hello Samira,

I am very interested in your feedback on ballet pointe shoe brands, thank you very much for your useful analysis.

I know many dancers that have worn Freed pointe shoes and they are very happy with the look and style of the brand.Yet a lot of dancers say Freed shoes do not last very long and go soft quite quickly. Is this the case with your Freed Studios? How long do they last you?

It is great to hear from you Samira, keep in touch!

Best wishes,

Odette

p.s To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sansha 202c

by Mark Jackson
(Brooklyn, NY)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sansha 202c

Has anyone tried Sansha 202c's in canvas?

============================================


Reply by Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sansha 202c

Hello Mark,

Thank you for you ballet pointe shoes query, it is great to hear from you.

I have not personally tried Sansha 202c, however I am sure there are many other ballet dancers who have worn them. It is great to try different ballet pointe shoe brands, as it can take a few experiments before you find the perfect shoe.

Feel free to join the discussion if any visitors have tried Sansha 202c, it would be great to hear everyone's feedback.

All the best,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Size of Pointe

by bethlehem
(utah)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Size of Pointe

I want to know which is my size of pointe, in normal shoes i am a size 7
============================================

Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes - Size of Pointe

Hello Utah,

Thank you for contacting me, it is lovely to hear from you.

I would expect your ballet pointe shoes to be a slightly smaller size than your normal shoes. It would be hard to give you an exact size, as it highly depends on which brand of pointe shoe you buy or what shape your foot is.

I suggest to have your pointe shoes fitted in a dance shop to find your correct size.

All the best,

Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes Size

by silan
(australia )

Ballet Pointe Shoes Size

hello I am getting my first ballet pointe shoes online but i don't know my size can you tell what size i could be please

============================================

Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes Size


Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.
Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.
Don't leave it to your teacher!
You can watch this pre-pointe video
yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

Dear Silan,

Thank you for contacting me, it is a pleasure to hear from you.

The size is usually slightly smaller than your outdoor shoes, but still it depends on many factors such as what type on padding you use to allow enough space.

When buying your first pair of ballet pointe shoes, I strongly reccommend you get the shoes personally fitted to your feet. The sizing of ballet pointe shoes greatly depends of which brand you are buying and what foot shape you have. Therefore, it is best to go to a pointe shoe shop for extra guidance.

Once you are happy with the sizing of your first pair of shoes, you could then order them online as you are certain of which size to get.

It is crucial to have enough strength before beginning pointe work. In the video above, Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works. I would recommend you listening to the advice given here, as Lisa Howell gives some superb tips for pre pointe.

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Price and Brands

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Price and Brands

I'm getting my pointe shoes and I'm sooo excited. I'm thirteen and I'm hyperventilating cuz I'm so happy! I had to go through this test thing but I passed!

How expensive are pointe shoes? Oh and wats the best brand to you (even though every dancer is an individual and it depends on your feet blah blah blah)

thanks

--Little miss sunshine 90 percent of the time

============================================

Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes - Price and Brands

Hello,

Thank you for your query, it is great to hear such enthusiasm on ballet pointe shoes!

The price of ballet pointe shoes varies depending on which brand you buy. For example, bloch pointe shoes are around £25-£30 ($40- 48). Gaynor Minden pointe shoes are more expensive and usually range from £50-£60 ($80-$96).

It can also depend on where you purchase the ballet pointe shoes from, either from dance shops or websites. Although I would advise you to buy your first pair from a dance shop where they will be able to personally fit you.

I find bloch pointe shoes a great brand for students. Bloch are strong and supportive, and have many different styles within the brand. Take a look at my bloch pointe shoes page for more information.

Good luck!

All the best,

Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes Query - Freed or Bloch?

by Angela
(England)

Ballet Pointe Shoes Query - Freed or Bloch?:- Hi Odette, I've recently just started wearing pointe shoes. I'm a dancer in training and my school has a contract with Freed. However, some of my friends are saying Bloch are better and so their parents have bought them Bloch.

I've realized that pointe shoes are very expensive and I don't want to waste my parents money. I would like a pair pointe shoes that will last me a long time. My friends say that bloch are lasting them much longer than freed.

Please could you advise me on which pair I should buy.

==============================================

Reply by Odette

to Ballet Pointe Shoes Query - Freed or Bloch?

Dear Angela,

Thank you for your query, I'm sure it will be helpful to many other dancers.

Every dancer hopes to find a pair of pointe shoes that will last as long as possible. Pointe shoes are not the cheapest things!

Everyone is different, which therefore means that everyone's feet are suited to different types of shoes.

From what I have experienced, Bloch are better for dancers in training. Freed are better for professional dancers when they are doing a lot of performances.

I've gathered this opinion because Bloch is generally a very hard and solid shoe. Therefore, whilst dancers are still training, they will need a more supportive shoe.

Freed are good for performances because they are a lot lighter and therefore more quiet. You need light shoes for on stage.

Therefore, I would advise you to get bloch because, for a dancer in training, they will last longer than Freed.

The only bother that you might have with bloch is they usually take longer to break in because they are so hard.

What you'll have to do is wear them a few times around the house and bash them in so they feel more comfortable.

I hope this advice is helpful to you, Angela, and let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.

Good luck!

Odette
ps.
Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.

Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.

Don't leave it to your teacher!

You can watch this pre-pointe video yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sansha Futuras

by Mark Jackson
(Brooklyn,NY USA)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sansha Futuras

Do I need ribbons on Sansha Futuras?

============================================


Reply by Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sansha Futuras

Hello Mark,

Thank you for contacting me, it is a pleasure to hear from you.

You enlighten me with the ballet pointe shoes 'Sansha Futuras'. I have never seen these pointe shoes before and I am intrigued! Please tell me more! Have you worn them before? If so, what are like in comparison to the standard pointe shoe?

The Sansha Futuras looks like an extremely modern-day pointe shoe. Sansha have made a unique lace-up pointe shoe, featuring a medium box with a high box and medium shank. I would imagine the lace gives very good frontal support so that the foot feels snug in the pointe shoe.

I am slightly undecided to whether these ballet pointe shoes need ribbons, as they already give a lot of support within the lace. However, there would be no harm in sewing ribbons to give even more support. You may find ribbons are necessary to keep the sides of the pointe shoes held onto your foot.

To get the right placement for the ribbons, fold the heel of the pointe shoe forwards towards the toe. Place the ribbon on the edge of the fold and this should be the estimated place to sew the ribbons. I always like to pin the ribbons in the right place so they are fixed and ready before I begin to sew.

All the best,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sancha Recitals

by shanna
(Los Angeles)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sancha Recitals

Hello Odette,
I received your message about writing the positive things about ballet pointe shoes so i decided to write something. My ballet teacher picked out sancha recitals for me and they've worked out well. Since they have a broad box i was able to get on the box really soon and it makes turns much easier. Over all, sancha recitals are a great match for me because of they're stable and rewarding.
============================================


Reply by Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Sancha Recitals

Hello Shanna,

Thank you so much for your delightful message, it gives me great pleasure to read your positive things about ballet pointe shoes.

I am so happy that you have written in to me Shanna, I love to hear about your sancha recitals. It is super that your ballet teacher has picked these ballet pointe shoes for you. Especially because they give you good support and stability, this is very encouraging.

I hope your message will inspire others to share their positive things about ballet pointe shoes. As I said in my message to you, sometimes we need to forget the bad stuff, and focus on the good. It is easy to conjure up the worries, the fear and the doubts of ballet pointe shoes. Yet sometimes these concerns do nothing but make you feel even more worried.

So I love to hear about your success and your achievements. It is great that you the broad box makes you turn easier. This is very true and I also agree that pirouettes are easier on a broader box as you can find your balance to feel more stable.

I am glad you have shared and acknowledged these positive qualities as it will do you wonders to your mind and your dancing.

Thank you Shanna. Please do keep in touch and always remember, keep your dreams alive!

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

How do I know which ballet pointe shoes are right for me?

by McCall

How do I know which ballet pointe shoes are right for me?: -

I typically buy Bloch but there are many variations of them. I need shoes that I can break in quickly and shoes that show my arch. The last shoe I bought was a 4 E but my feet have grown and I'm not sure what size or style I should have. Also you can't see my arch on one side of my foot(the outer). Any suggestions? Thanks your awesome!


============================================

Reply by Odette

To: - How do I know which ballet pointe shoes are right for me?


Hi there!

Thank you for sharing your ballet pointe shoes queries with me. As a student, I was having all the same dilemmas and thoughts as you with my ballet pointe shoes. It took me a while to find my "perfect" pair of shoes, but with a lot of experimenting I did find the right pair! So don't worry - you can find the right pair too!

If you haven't already, I suggest you look at my bloch pointe shoes page which gives you more information on the brand.

Although it may seem overwhelming at first, it is a good thing there are so many variations and styles of shoes. It means there WILL be a pair to suit your feet, you just have to find it and be very pro active.

Once you've established the brand of pointe shoe you like you can then look into the different variations within the brand. So, if you like the brand, Bloch, then that is a big step to finding your ideal pair.

Bloch do have many different styles within the brand. I previously wore Aspiration as a student and found they were a very comfortable and secure shoe.

It sounds as though you're at the stage where you need to go out to various pointe shoe shops and have your feet properly fitted. This is what I did and I found it very beneficial.

I traveled to my nearest city to find the official ballet pointe shoes shops, such as Bloch. The people who work in the Bloch shops are very experienced and know a lot about all the variations of shoes.

They will be able to assist you with what size or style you should have.

It's essential to have pointe shoes that fit correctly so that would be my main suggestion - Plan a day to go to a proper dance shop and have your feet personally fitted to a pair of pointe shoes.

Make it an adventure of it and be patient. It takes some experimenting before finding the perfect pair!

Keep in touch and let me know how you get on. I'll always be happy to help!

All the best

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes Accessories

Ballet Pointe Shoes Accessories

I've just got my first pair of pointe shoes! I've been working for a long time doing instep stretches and other foot exercises everyday etc...
When I went to the shop they gave me these sort of pads, that stick on the end of the shoes to make them last longer (see pictures). I've heard of dancers darning the end of their shoes before but never of these. Do you think I should use them?

============================================

Reply by Odette

To: - Ballet Pointe Shoes Accessories


Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.

Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.

Don't leave it to your teacher!

You can watch this pre-pointe video
yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

Hello,

Thank you for your ballet pointe shoes query, it was especially helpful you included a photograph so thank you!

How exciting you have your first pair of pointe shoes! It's great to hear you're preparing yourself and taking responsibility.

The pads you have are called suede tips. They can be used to prevent the dancer from sliding or slipping, and can also make the shoe last longer because they protect the satin. The suede tips are most probably a more modern version of darning. Darning can be quite a long-winded process so these tips are a more accessible alternative.

I have tried these suede tips once before but found they moved out of place on the platform. I reverted to darning just the outside circle of the platform to prevent the satin from tearing. Darning is the traditional method for ballet pointe shoes and sometimes tradition works best!

I wouldn't say the suede tips are essential for pointe work but you can use them if they work well for you.

Let me know how you get on! Good luck!

All the best

Odette


ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Forgetting something?

by Corinne Barber
(USA)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Forgetting something? : -

Oh no! You forgot about Grishko. They are another brand of well made pointe shoes.

Also, 'Ouch Pouches' are not foam, they are made of gel and lined in fabric.

============================================

Reply by Odette

To: Ballet Pointe Shoes - Forgetting something?

Hello Corinne,

Thank you very much for contacting me, it is always so great to hear from you.

I have adjusted my ballet pointe shoes page and have now included Grishko, as I know these are a favored brand of shoe. I also reworded my description of 'Ouch Pouches'.

I appreciate your help and suggestions - I am always open to hearing everyone's opinions, so thank you!

All the best,

Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes - First Pair and Which Type?

by Tori Heisel
(Lake Stevens, washington,america)

Ballet Pointe Shoes - First Pair and Which Type?

Hi! I'm just getting my first pair of ballet pointe shoes i'm 11 but i have really strong feet thats why i can do it so early, but the thing is i have very thin feet and i don't know what type i should get can u help me please :)

~ Tori


============================================


Reply by Odette

To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes - First Pair and Which Type?


Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.
Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.
Don't leave it to your teacher!
You can watch this pre-pointe video
yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

Dear Tori,

Thank you for contacting me on ballet pointe shoes, it is great to hear you are getting your first pair! How exciting!

In this video, Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works. I would recommend you listening to the advice given here, as Lisa Howell gives some superb tips for pre pointe.

When it comes to buying your first pair of pointe shoes, it is a good idea to be guided by the experts around you as well as taking initiative yourself.

First, I advise you to ask your teacher which type of shoe she would recommed, as many dance schools have a preference of what brand they prefer their dancers to wear. My teacher recommended Bloch to me, so I planned a visit to my local dance shop and got fitted with a pair of Bloch pointe shoes.

It would be a good idea to plan a visit to your local dance shop too, so you can be personally fitted by the shoe fitters. When I did this, I remember the ladies in the shop were very helpful and fitted me exactly to my foot shape.

You want your shoes to be perfectly fitted to your foot shape, so if you say you have thin feet, you will be looking for a smaller width. It is excellent to be aware of your foot shape and the shoe fitter should also be able to guide you with this too.

There are many different types of pointe shoes including Bloch, Freed, Grishko and Capezio. Each have their own style and are popular with many different dancers around the world.

I suggest you follow your teacher's guidance on which type to begin with, then you can start to experiment with other brands to find the one you like best.

Keep in touch!

Best Wishes,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Very First Pair

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Very First Pair

Dear Odette,
I've loved watching ballet since I was about four years old. I took ballet when I was five, but my mother didn't like my ballet teacher, so she took me out of classes a year later. I have been trying to learn ballet lately and I am now twelve. I'm looking online at dance wear solutions. I found a pair of pointe shoes I like, they are made by Bloch. I was wondering if these shoes would be good for beginners on Pointe. Please help! Thank you!


============================================


Reply by Odette

Ballet Pointe Shoes - Very First Pair

Hello,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear your love for ballet.

Having worn Bloch for a good majority of my training as a dancer, I am a great fan of bloch pointe shoes. Bloch were also my very first pair of pointe shoes and they were great for me, so I expect these shoes will be good too for you as a beginner.

Bloch are good for dancers in training because they are strong, supportive and have many different styles within the brand. Personally, I have worn the styles Aspiration, Serenade and TMT Axis. I found aspiration to be my favourite, because I have wide feet and this shoe had a very square box.

Visit my bloch pointe shoes page for more information on this brand.

Good luck with beginning pointe, I'm am always here to answer your questions.

All the best,

Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page

Choosing First Ballet Pointe Shoes

Choosing First Ballet Pointe Shoes

Hi!
how to choose my first ballet pointe shoes? I have to buy my first ballet pointe shoes and i'm very excited but i don't know what pointe shoe i should buy i hope you can and help me...

THANKS!

============================================


Reply by Odette

To:- Choosing First Ballet Pointe Shoes

Hello,

Thank you for your ballet pointe shoes query, it is great to hear from you.

Firstly, congratulations! This is a very exciting stage for every young ballet dancer, you must be very happy!

There are many different brands of pointe shoes such as Bloch, Freed, Sansha and Grishko. Perhaps ask your ballet teacher which brand she would suggest you to buy.

I would then advise you to take a trip out to your local dance shop. It is best to get your first pair of pointe shoes properly fitted, as it is crucial they fit correctly. Try on a few different brands and see which ones you like the best. The people in the shop will be able to help and make sure the sizing is right for you.

I wore Bloch as my first pair of pointe shoes. They are strong, supportive and have many different styles within the brand.

Take a look at the following pages of my website, you will find them helpful when choosing pointe shoes -

Bloch Pointe Shoes
Ballet Toe Shoes

Good luck and keep in touch!

All the best,

Odette