Getting Pointes

Getting your first pair of pointes may be the most exciting thing yet! You may be so excited that you may not realize how uncomfortable these things can be. When trying on your pointe shoes you have to be honest and picky otherwise you will not get the perfect fit and you will become vulnerable and prone to injuries.

When you put the pointe shoe on stand up at the shops barre or against the wall and check if the toes reach the very end, so that they touch the box, make sure they're not crumpling and folding under, if so the shoe may be too short. If any toes are overlapping the pointe shoe is too narrow for you. If you can fit a finger or more into the area where the draw string is then the shoe is too wide. Go back to flat and put one foot up en pointe, there should be minimal amount of fabric, about 1/2" (inch) that you can pinch up at the heel, but if it's too baggy then the shoe is too long for you. If you have any questions or if feels too tight or too loose tell the fitter and they should fix it. Go up on demi pointe to ensure the heel is not painfully tight, if it is the shoe may be too small. Do a demi-plie and check that your toes are just touching the boxes, if they're crunched up and squashed then it's obviously too small. Also remember if you go en pointe and your sliding then the shoe does not fit. You should feel the support in the shoe, but always remember when trying for your first time have a barre or something to hold onto otherwise injuries may be caused.

Remember:

• When trying on pointe shoes try to keep in mind to try lot's of different shoes.
• That most of them will not be very comfortable as they have not been broken in.
• To put on toe pads or 'ouch pouches' when you try the shoes on to make sure they fit when you wear the shoes.
• Even if you find one that 'fits' keep trying them on, there may be an even better one.
• Don't try just one brand, try them all!
• If the heel slips off it may not be necessarily because it's too big it also may be because you have no elastic or ribbons sewn on.
• Remember one day before you try them or wear them CUT YOUR TOE NAILS! (Otherwise they'll bruise and may fall off!)
• Also remember to bring or wear tights on the day of trying them on.
• You may have to make an appointment to have them fitted.