Short answer: soft ballet slippers stay on with a drawstring, cross elastics or, on satin shoes, ribbons. Pull a drawstring until the shoe sits close to the foot, tie a small knot and tuck the ends inside. Cross elastics sit over the instep. Ribbons cross at the ankle and are tied at the side, not at the back.
How do I tie ballet slippers with a drawstring?
- Put the shoe on and make sure the heel sits snug.
- Find the drawstring around the top edge of the shoe.
- Pull both ends gently until the edge is close to the foot without pinching.
- Tie a small double knot, then trim the ends if they are long.
- Tuck the knot and ends inside the shoe so they do not show or catch.
Do not pull so hard that the shoe puckers, as that can hurt the foot and wear the fabric.
How do cross elastics work?
Many ballet shoes come with elastics already attached. Two bands cross over the instep and hold the heel in place. If a pair has no elastics, they are sewn on near the heel so they cross over the foot. Our stretch-canvas ballet shoes have a pre-attached cross elastic. For the sewing method, see how to sew elastics onto shoes.
How do I tie ribbons on ballet shoes?
Satin ballet shoes and pointe shoes use ribbons. Cross the ribbons over the front of the ankle, wrap them round to the inside of the ankle, tie a flat knot and tuck the ends under the ribbons. The knot sits on the inner side, not at the back. The full method is in how to tie pointe shoes.
How tight should ballet shoes be tied?
The shoe should stay on during a jump, but you should be able to point and flex freely. If the foot goes numb or the skin marks deeply, loosen it. If the shoe slips, check the size first, as too big a shoe cannot be fixed by tying it tighter. Read how ballet shoes should fit.
Tips for children
Young dancers do best when a teacher or parent checks the knot before class. Use short ends that tuck in easily. See the children’s ballet shoes guide for sizing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tie ballet slippers?
Pull the drawstring until the shoe sits close, tie a small knot and tuck the ends inside. Satin shoes use ribbons tied at the side of the ankle.
Where does the knot go on ballet ribbons?
On the inner side of the ankle, with the ends tucked under the ribbons.
Do ballet shoes need elastics?
Many do. Cross elastics over the instep hold the heel in place, and they can be sewn on if missing.
How tight should ballet slippers be?
Snug enough to stay on, but loose enough to point and flex without pinching.