Women's Dance Shoes - An Introduction to Ballet Dance Shoes

Introduction to Ballet Dance Shoescan also be used. It is possible to purchase ballet
It is the case that most professional ballet dancersshoes without the ribbons or elastic bands. These can
have quite a number of dance shoes for the workbe bought on their on and sewn on. Some ballet
that they do. These would include ballet slippers andshoes have a split in their soles giving greater
pointe shoes which have to be made with aflexibility
specialised to box to enable the difficult pointe workThen there are ballet slippers that are designed for
that professional dancers have to perform. The mostsofter floor and studio work. The lighter kind of ballet
popular colour is pink, then white and black.dance shoes are made from suede leather or canvas.
The distinguishing characteristics of pointe shoes areand have a split in their soles to give a tactile feel
the sole and the shank. The shank is a particular typeand greater flexibility. When pointe work is not
of insole which can be made from either leather,required, dancers will wear these shoes for practise.
burlap, plastic or cardstock and can be of varyingThe uppers of the shoe are sometimes dyed to the
length and thickness. Some dancers wear more thansame color as the costume.
one kind for different performance styles. The soleBecause of the way they are made, ballet dance
which is often a single piece of leather, is sewn intoshoes are sized differently to conventional shoes.
the material of the shoe and is well hidden. This soleDifferent manufacturers may also have slight
is designed to accent the dancers foot. The shoesdifferences between each other. They are designed
are usually held on to the foot by silk ribbons tiedto be a snug fit on the foot without rubbing or
round the ankle. Drawstrings or elastic type bandshindering the circulation.