POINTE SHOE FITTINGS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET FITTED FOR POINTE SHOES?

 

We recommend making an appointment in advance for all first-time pointe shoes, if you want to change shoes, or around the holiday performance, competition and summer intensive seasons. We offer fittings Monday - Saturday, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. You can schedule an appointment in-store or by calling us at (714) 377-9902.

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We accept walk-in fittings on a first-come, first-served basis during regular business hours.

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY FITTING AT DANCE THREADZ?

 

Pointe shoe fittings are detailed and personal. Each shoe fits and performs differently. During your fitting, we will examine the shape of your feet, the strength and flexibility of your ankles, your alignment, and your technical needs to put you in your best shoe, while taking care to limit the potential for bunions and ingrown toenails.

 

Expect to try on a variety of brands and styles. 

 

To ensure we find a proper fit and a shoe you love, please allow 45 minutes to an hour for all first-time fittings and up to 30 minutes for all subsequent fittings.

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WHY DOES A POINTE SHOE FITTING TAKE SO LONG?

 

Pointe shoes are the most specialized shoe a dancer will wear and fitting them is highly technical. 

 

Each pointe shoe fits and performs differently, and the feeling of a pointe shoe is unique to each dancer, so finding your perfect shoe will involve some trial and error. At Dance Threadz, we work one-on-one with each dancer to try on multiple styles to find a shoe that meets their needs.
 

It is important to us that every dancer leaves our store with a properly fit shoe, feeling listened to and confident in their selection.

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HOW SHOULD MY POINTE SHOES FIT?

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A pointe shoe that fits properly will place you squarely over the platform, without causing you to sickle, roll forward, or pulled back. The shank will be pliable enough to mold to your arch and articulate your foot, but strong enough to support you en pointe. The shoe’s vamp and wings will make you feel aligned and secure. 

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A pointe shoe that is too narrow, too tapered or too small will pull you off your platform, while a shoe that is too wide, too boxy or too big will cause you to "sink" or "knuckle" into it. Both are painful and can cause injury. 
 

HOW LONG SHOULD MY POINTE SHOES LAST?

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Pointe shoes are traditionally made of paper, cardboard and paste and are designed to be broken in and then broken down.

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Most pointe shoes will last a dancer 10-20 hours. Moisture from your feet, your level of training, your foot strength and alignment, class exercises, and choreography will all contribute to the lifespan of your shoes. Some dancers can wear a pair for six months, while others get only a few weeks. Rehearsing for a performance or dancing at a summer intensive will "kill" shoes more quickly.

Broken down - or “dead” - shoes lose their structural integrity and can cause injury, so it is important to replace them as soon as they no longer feel firm and supportive. We know dancing en pointe is a financial investment, so we will never sell you a shoe that we know you will “kill” too quickly.

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If you are concerned with the lifespan of your shoes, ask our fitters for tips on how to get more use out of them. 

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FITTING?

 

Dance or athleisure-wear is best. Shorts, skirts and dresses are fine as long as we can see your knees and you can execute a grand plié. Please, no jeans. If you wear tights, make sure they are a convertible or footless style.

 

If you already wear pointe shoes, please bring your current pair with you.

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CAN MY DANCE TEACHER ATTEND MY FITTING?

 

Of course! Dance teachers are always welcome to accompany their students at fittings.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY FITTING?

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Once you have found a shoe, we recommend asking your pointe teacher to approve them before sewing on ribbon and elastic or breaking them in. We are unable to return or exchange pointe shoes that have been sewn, worn or customized. 

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If this is your first pair, we can show you how to attach your ribbon and elastic. While we always recommend that a dancer learn how to sew their shoes themselves, we can also point you to a nearby tailor who will professionally sew them for a small fee. 

 

CAN I SCHEDULE A GROUP FITTING FOR A CLASS?

 

Yes. We are happy to accommodate small class fittings during normal business hours Monday through Saturday, but suggest scheduling a private fitting on a Sunday if the group is larger than six dancers. 

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CAN YOU ORDER ME A POINTE SHOE THAT YOU DON'T STOCK?

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Yes. We can order any dancewear product for a customer, but if it is an item that we did not fit or do not stock in our store, it will be subject to a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. 

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