Tag: ballet shoes guide

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Children’s Ballet Shoes: How to Buy, Size and Care for Your Child’s Shoes

Children’s ballet shoes are one of the most frequently purchased items in a dance parent’s life — because children grow, shoes wear out, and ballet schools are particular about what goes on their students’ feet. This guide covers everything you need to know to buy correctly every time.

How to Measure Your Child’s Feet for Ballet Shoes

Ballet shoe sizing is not the same as school shoe sizing. Most brands use their own sizing charts and the conversion from school shoe size varies. Always measure before buying:

  1. Place the child’s foot on a sheet of paper (with socks or tights on, as they will wear in class).
  2. Mark the longest toe and the back of the heel.
  3. Measure the distance between the marks in centimetres.
  4. Use the brand’s own size chart to find the recommended ballet shoe size.

Add no more than half a centimetre for growing room. Ballet shoes that are too long cause the foot to slide forward, changing weight placement and potentially creating bad technical habits.

Canvas vs Leather: Which Should You Buy?

Canvas is the most popular choice for children. It is lighter, cheaper, machine washable, and breathable — practical advantages when shoes get sweaty and need cleaning regularly. Canvas shoes also come in a wider range of colours. The one downside is that canvas wears out slightly faster than leather.

Leather molds to the foot over time, provides a very clean line that some teachers prefer for exams, and is more durable. It is heavier and more expensive, and cannot be machine washed. For children who are committed to ballet and attending multiple classes per week, leather is worth the investment. For beginners or recreational students, canvas is the practical choice.

How Often Do Children Outgrow Ballet Shoes?

Younger children (ages 3–7) typically need new ballet shoes every six to nine months. Older children (ages 8–12) may get a full year from a pair. A teenager whose feet have stopped growing can expect one to two years of wear from a well-cared-for pair.

Check the fit every three months by pressing the end of the shoe to feel where the longest toe sits. When there is less than a thumbnail’s width of space remaining, it is time to reorder.

Full Sole vs Split Sole for Children

For children in Pre-Primary through to Grade 2 (approximately ages 3–8), full sole ballet shoes are recommended by most RAD teachers. The continuous sole supports the developing foot and helps the teacher assess weight distribution correctly.

Split sole shoes — with separate pads at the ball and heel — are generally introduced at Grade 3 or above, when the child has developed enough strength and technique to benefit from the increased articulation.

Caring for Children’s Ballet Shoes

Canvas shoes: Machine wash gentle cycle, cold water, inside a mesh laundry bag. Reshape while damp and air dry. Do not tumble dry.
Leather shoes: Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner every few months. Air out after each use — never store in an airtight bag. Do not machine wash.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size ballet shoe does my child need?

Measure the foot in centimetres while wearing class tights and use the specific brand’s sizing chart. Ballet shoe sizes often run differently from street shoe sizes — most children will find their ballet shoe size is one to two sizes different from their school shoe size in the same brand. Always measure rather than guessing by school shoe size.

Can my child wear ballet shoes outside?

No — the thin leather or canvas soles of ballet shoes are designed for studio floors only. Wearing them outside on pavements or gravel wears through the sole very quickly and introduces grit that damages the studio floor. Always carry ballet shoes to class and change at the studio.

Do children’s ballet shoes need to be broken in?

Canvas ballet shoes require very little breaking in — they are soft from the first wear. Leather ballet shoes may feel slightly stiff for the first one or two classes but soften quickly with use. If a leather shoe feels painful immediately in the shop, it is too small or the wrong width — it will not stretch enough to become comfortable.

How do I sew the elastic on children’s ballet shoes?

Most children’s ballet shoes come with elastic already attached. If not, your teacher may demonstrate the school’s preferred method. The most common approach is a single piece of elastic across the instep, sewn at both ends to the shoe lining. Use a strong thread and sew through the lining but not through the outer canvas. The elastic should lie flat across the foot without digging in.

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Shop at ZoeDancewear

Stretch-Canvas Ballet Shoes u2014 soft pink canvas slippers, split sole, sized for children and adults. Free shipping over $99 to the US.

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Ballet Shoes for Beginners: What to Buy for Your Child’s First Class

Your child has been accepted into their first ballet class, and you need to buy ballet shoes. Walk into any dancewear shop or browse online and you will immediately face choices: canvas or leather? Split sole or full sole? Pink or white? This guide gives you the right answers for a first pair.

The Most Important First Question: Check with the School

Before buying anything, ask your child’s teacher or check the school’s welcome pack for uniform requirements. Many schools specify a particular colour, sole type or even brand. Buying the wrong type before checking is the most common mistake first-time ballet parents make.

Full Sole vs Split Sole for Beginners

For young beginners (Pre-Primary to Grade 2, typically ages 3–8), full sole ballet shoes are strongly recommended by most RAD teachers. The continuous sole supports the whole foot, encourages correct weight placement, and helps the teacher see whether the child is using their whole foot rather than gripping with the toes.

Split sole shoes — which have two separate pads under the ball of the foot and the heel — are better suited to more advanced students who have developed the strength and technique to use the increased articulation correctly. Most teachers ask beginners to use full sole shoes until at least Grade 2 or 3.

Canvas vs Leather

Canvas ballet shoes are the most popular choice for children. They are lightweight, washable, and breathable — practical considerations when children are active and shoes get sweaty. Canvas shoes also tend to be less expensive than leather, which matters when young feet grow quickly.

Leather ballet shoes are more durable, mould to the foot more precisely over time, and many teachers prefer the look of leather for exams. They are heavier than canvas and not machine washable. For first shoes, canvas is usually the better starting point.

Colour

Most schools specify pink for girls and white or black for boys. Ballet pink is the traditional and most common choice for girls. White shoes are occasionally specified for boys or for specific schools. If in doubt, pink for girls and black for boys is rarely wrong — but always confirm with the school first.

How to Measure for Ballet Shoes

Ballet shoes fit differently from school shoes. They should feel snug with just a small amount of growing room — about half a centimetre. Trace the foot on paper and measure the length; then check the brand’s size chart. The shoe should hug the foot without pinching and the elastic should lie flat across the instep without cutting in.

Children’s feet grow fast — check the fit every three to four months. A ballet shoe that becomes too short causes the toes to curl under, which creates bad habits and can be painful.

Elastic: Pre-Sewn or Sew-Your-Own?

Most children’s ballet shoes come with pre-attached elastic already sewn across the instep, which is the easier option for beginners. Some schools prefer to sew the elastic in a specific pattern — your teacher will let you know if this is the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ballet shoes for a complete beginner?

For most young beginners in RAD-style classes, a canvas full-sole pink ballet shoe is the ideal first pair. Canvas is breathable, washable and lightweight. Full sole supports the foot during the early stages of training. Confirm the school’s specific requirement before purchasing.

How much should I spend on first ballet shoes?

First ballet shoes do not need to be expensive. A well-made canvas ballet shoe from a reputable dancewear brand costs between £10 and £18 for children. More expensive shoes are not necessary at the beginner stage — children grow quickly and will need new shoes within six to twelve months. Save the investment for more advanced footwear when the child is committed to continuing.

Can my child wear dance socks instead of ballet shoes to their first class?

Some schools allow socks for a trial class before the child is enrolled, but ballet shoes are required from the first regular lesson. Ballet shoes allow the teacher to see the foot position clearly and provide the slight grip on the studio floor that socks do not. Socks can also slip on polished studio floors, creating a safety risk.

How do I clean canvas ballet shoes?

Most canvas ballet shoes can be machine washed on a gentle cold cycle inside a mesh laundry bag. Do not tumble dry — air dry at room temperature. Stuffing the shoe lightly with tissue paper while drying helps it retain its shape. Replace elastic if it loses its snap after washing.

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Shop at ZoeDancewear

Stretch-Canvas Ballet Shoes u2014 canvas split-sole slippers — the most popular first ballet shoe. Free shipping over $99 to the US.