Making Your Pointe Shoe Fitting A Great Experience

Dancing en pointe is a momentous and exciting development for every dancer. A good fitting pointe shoe is the first step to having a safe and enjoyable experience en pointe.

A Great Fitting Pointe Shoe

Inspirations has invested in a huge stock and vast selection of brands, styles, sizes and widths of pointe shoes. We understand that having an improper fitting pointe shoe is not only frustrating but dangerous for the dancer. Inside of our commitment to proper fitting we have only select senior staff authorized to fit pointe shoes. Inspirations pointe shoe specialists have each trained a minimum of two years through courses, workshops and apprenticing in store.

What You Can Expect From Us

When you choose Inspirations for your pointe shoes you are not only getting a beautiful pair of shoes. You will walk away with:

• Pointe shoe style specific information
• Knowledge and insight into why the particular style is a fit for you
• Information on the care of your pointe shoes
• Confidence that you can return the shoes for a full refund within seven days if your teacher is not completely satisfied.

Pointe Shoe Fitting Guidelines

Here are a few simple guidelines to ensure that your pointe shoe fitting is set up to be a success:

1. Talk to your teacher

Find out from your teacher what sort of accessories they are comfortable with their students using such as gel pads, lambs wool, toe tape etc.

2. Book an appointment

Prior to visiting the store, you must call, email or book an appointment online to ensure that a specialist is available, even if it is not your first pair of pointe shoes.

Walk in customers cannot be guaranteed a fitting, as fitting specialists are not always on hand or available.

The last pointe shoe fitting of the day is no later than one hour before closing time to ensure the specialist has enough time with the dancer.

3. Arrive for your fitting prepared

• Have your toenails cut short and blisters or sores bandaged.
• Bring any accessories that you plan to wear in your pointe shoes. (Gel pads dramatically alter fit.)
• Wear convertible tights or knee-highs.

4. Bring your current pair of shoes

If you have been en pointe before and are purchasing a new pair, a pointe shoe specialist can gain insight into characteristics you specifically require in your new pair simply by examining the shoes you have been wearing. It is easier for you to explain what you like or dislike when you and the pointe shoe specialist can look at them together.

5. Be patient

Your pointe shoe fitting, especially your first, can take up to 45 minutes. Trial and error is the best way to ensure a successful fit. It is not uncommon to try on numerous pairs of shoes. We believe that dancers need to feel and understand why a shoe is not a good fit in order to begin to feel for themselves what is a proper fitting shoe.

We'll work together on finding the right shoe for your foot. This may take some time, but it'll be worth it.

6. All pointe shoes are not made alike

Every pointe shoe has a different design and specific benefits. Many variables need to be considered to ensure a proper fit.

Do not choose a shoe because you want a certain style, brand or colour. What is good for the feet of the dancer next to you may not be good for yours.

7. Ask questions

Take advantage of your pointe shoe specialist’s expertise. Find out what they think about the fit of the shoes you are trying on. A good pointe shoe specialist will educate you on how a proper fit should feel and look.

8. Trust your feet

It can be surprising how strange and foreign pointe shoes feel. They will never be described as comfortable. However you should not experience pain, piercing, pinching, curled toes or numb feet when trying on pointe shoes.

9. Enjoy the experience

It’s every little girl’s dream to become a graceful ballerina. Because of your years of hard work and dedication, you are ready to get on your toes and join the elite world en pointe.