Your Guide to Ballet Slippers!

Brands, Sizing, + More ~ All you need to know!

Ballet Slippers – the core of your Tutu Schooler’s attire in ballet class! They seem so simple: classically pink and impossibly tiny, but why do they all fit different and what are the benefits of drawstrings and what are you supposed to do with all of them once your dancer has grown out of 3 pairs?!

A Quick History of the Ballet Slipper

Let’s start at the very beginning! Did you know the very first ballet dancers actually wore a heeled shoe? Famous French Principal Dancer Marie Camargo first popularized a non-heel ballet shoe all the way back in the mid-1700s during her time at the Paris Opera Ballet (about a hundred years after the first ballet school was founded by the King of France!). By the start of the 1800s, everyone on stage was wearing a flat ballet slipper, much like what we wear today! Flash forward to the 21st century and you can find slippers in leather, canvas, etc, etc, but don’t worry. We’ll get to that part!

Ballet slippers are preferred during ballet class over just grip socks. However, if your dancer will only take the floor in their favorite grippy socks, you won’t hear an argument from us! But the ballet slipper will support your dancers arch + allow your dancer to easily glide along the dance floor during their twirls. They’re essential to any ballet class!

So What Type of Ballet Slipper Do I Need?

When it comes to color, traditionally, ballet slippers come in pink, white, and black. Obviously at Tutu School Laguna Niguel, we are partial to the sparkly variety. Your dancer can wear whatever color their heart desires! Ballet slippers can also come in canvas, leather, or satin. So what’s the difference? Typically leather shoes will last longer, canvas are more budget-friendly, and satin are mainly reserved for performances, but wear out rather quickly. At this age, any material is fine for your dancer, since they might grow out of their slippers before they fully wear out.

For the same reason, it is entirely up to you which brand you would like to purchase. The most popular and trusted ballet slipper brands are Capezio, Bloch, and So Danca. You can find these online, at your local dancewear store, or at your Tutu School Laguna Niguel! No matter where you decide to purchase from, either be sure to try them on your little one first or double check the sizing on the website! Many retailers have you size up at least 1 size from your dancer’s street shoe size to ensure a snug, sock-like fit. If your dancer is growing fast, it’s totally okay to have a little bit of space at the end of their shoe! If you’re unsure of sizing, be sure to grab your teacher before or after class to try some on at Tutu School Laguna Niguel!

If your dancer’s twinkle toes are growing REALLY fast, you may want to find a ballet slipper with drawstring ties. These ties allow you to tighten a slightly bigger size to fit your dancer’s foot when you pull them. Just make sure they are double tied and the strings are tucked in during class…otherwise you may be tying their shoes a few times throughout the lesson!

Adult ballet slippers may come without the elastic bands sewn on, as older dancers prefer to do this themselves and have the bands in the most comfortable spot. But most kiddo sizes already have the elastic attached!

Another thing you may notice about ballet slippers is that they don’t have a right or a left side. After the first wear, the shoe will already start to form to your dancer’s foot! If you’re not able to tell yet, don’t worry – it won’t hurt anything if you put them on a different side. They’ll be able to tip toe like a butterfly just as sweetly as ever!

What To Do With Old Ballet Slippers

So you’ve been at Tutu School Laguna Niguel for a few years now and you’ve accumulated a few pairs of ballet slippers! So what should you do with them? We’re so glad you asked!

1. Donate your gently worn slippers!
   • You can bring your slippers to Tutu School Laguna Niguel or a local thrift store. Please make sure they are gently used, however, and still in good enough condition! You can clean leather shoes with a damp cloth + mild soap to spot clean, then use baking soda sprinkled inside the sole (plus a good spritz of sanitizing spray!). For canvas shoes, feel free to toss in the wash in a laundry bag, then allow to air dry after.
2. Hold onto them for a future young dancer in your family!
   • Who knows?! A new cousin, a neighbor, or way down the line maybe your dancer will take their own little one to ballet class one day!
3. Turn them into a beautiful keepsake art project!
   • Check out Pinterest or Youtube to find plenty of inspiring art projects to turn your old slippers into a masterpiece!

Any other questions?

We’ve got you! Reach out to us or ask your teacher after class with any lingering ballet slipper questions. But by now, you are likely an expert on all things ballet slippers! Now, pointe shoes? That’s a story for another day.

xoxo, Hannah from Tutu School Laguna Niguel