Ballet slippers
are shoes that ballet dancers wear when they dance in class or on stage. They come in two basic types. One is a simple ballet slipper, which is usually worn by men and by children. Advanced women ballet dancers wear a ballet slipper called the pointe shoe. This shoe requires a dancer who has sufficient strength in her feet and legs. A pointe shoe permits a dancer to balance on the tips of her toes.
Ballet Shoes
You'll find ballet shoes constructed in a variety of materials including canvas, satin and leather. Canvas ballet shoes, although the least expensive, can deteriorate quickly. They are often worn by male dancers. Leather ballet slippers are both more expensive and more durable. Both male and female dancers opt for leather. Satin slippers can be dyed in a variety of colors and are usually worn by female dancers. Beginning ballet students, typically children, wear basic ballet shoes. As a female ballet student grows more advanced, she can graduate to wearing pointe shoes. Sometimes a male dancer will wear pointe shoes when dancing a role that requires that he dance on the tips of his toes.
Pointe Shoes
Female ballet dancers who have studied ballet for several years wear pointe shoes. The shoes have ribbons that tie around the ankles and elastics that keep the shoes from slipping off the feet. Female ballet students are allowed to wear pointe shoes once they reach about 12 years of age, when they generally have sufficient strength in their feet and legs to withstand the stress of dancing on their toes. A pointe shoe has two basic sections, the box and the shank. The box of the pointe shoe is made of burlap and stiffened with glue. In contrast, the shank, on the sole of the shoe, is made of hard layers of material .This shank provides support to the arches of the feet, further assisting the dancer to rise onto the tips of her toes.
Choosing Ballet Shoes
Dancers consider material construction in choosing shoes. Although leather shoes last longer, canvas shoes help the dancer more easily feel the floor, a factor that affords greater stability. Sole type is another choice a dancer needs to make. A full sole is best for a beginning dancer, as it provides more support to the arch. Full-sole ballet slippers are also more durable. Split-sole shoes are suited to more advanced dancers. They provide greater flexibility and are more easily broken in. Regardless of type, ballet slippers should fit snugly.
Choosing Pointe Shoes
Since pointe shoes are more expensive than basic ballet shoes, advanced female dancers moving up to pointe shoes must choose with care. Rely on help from an experienced dance-supply shop employee to get the proper fit. Pointe shoes can have wide or narrow boxes, and they are made with shanks of varying lengths as well. A knowledgeable salesperson can help dance students make the right choices. Even when a dance student thinks she's found the right pointe shoes, she should show them to her ballet teacher before sewing on the shoe ribbons. The teacher may advise the student to get another type of shoe.
Caring for Ballet Slippers
Ballet slippers are an extension of the dancer's foot, so they should be kept in good condition. Dancers can make sure their ballet shoes last longer by allowing them to dry after dancing in them. Turning them inside out and allowing them to air-dry helps. To keep them clean, dancers can put canvas ballet slippers in the washing machine on gentle cycle. Leather ballet slippers can be cleaned with a wet cloth.
Caring for Pointe Shoes
After pointe shoes are danced in, they should be neatly folded with the ribbons wound around them. When a dancer arrives at home, it's important to allow the pointe shoes to air-dry. Rotating between at least two pairs of pointe shoes that are regularly used will make both last longer. And alternating the two pairs will give the glue on the toe box and shank a chance to harden again.
