Dance 101

Finding the right fit

By Jackielou Perez | October 25, 2010 

As Harry Potter fans would recall in the first novel, The Philosopher’s Stone, Harry had to buy a slew of items for school. On this list was a wand and for this, he had to visit a specialist who helped him find his perfect fit.

As essential equipment as Harry’s wand is in magic school, dancing shoes are just as important for dance. A pair of shoes can make or break your performance in studio or on stage. That’s why it’s important to invest in a good dance shoe, especially if you plan on taking classes at least once a week.

Footwear specialist Nadia Randall from The Shoe Room in Toronto offers five tips to keep in mind when looking for the perfect pair:

Ask your teacher
Find out if your dance school requires a specific brand and/or style of shoe. Some schools prefer all students to wear the same style of shoes for performances and some ballet exam syllabi specifically require leather ballet slippers with full insoles, but are not brand specific.

Get to know your feet
What shape are your feet? Where are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you have a high, medium, or low arch in your foot? How do your feet differ from each other – is one bigger, wider, stronger? If you’re not sure, it’s best to visit your local dance shop and talk to a shoe specialist.

Comfort first
Trust that you know your feet and what is comfortable for you. Aesthetics are important but you will not perform to your full potential if you are thinking about how miserable your feet feel. Also bear in mind, most dance shoes need to fit very closely to the shape of your foot so wearing a dance shoe that is a few sizes too big is a no, no (and it hurts too!)

Do your research 
Because shoes are made all over the world no two brand’s sizing system is alike. Find out where they are made and how that country’s sizing relates to your size. Also keep in mind that every manufacturer has differently shaped lasts (the form a shoe is made on). Find out what attributes make each style unique and which one best suits your feet.

Online versus in person
The initial purchase should be done by a professional fitter. Buying online is a great option if you like the shoes and your feet have not changed. For those who aren’t close to a dance store, ask your teacher to recommend a brand and style of shoe. Make sure the website has a flexible return policy.

While Harry could use his wand for all his classes, shoes are dance-specific. Every dance requires a special shoe –after all, you can’t really use tap shoes for pointe class now can you?

In an ongoing series, wanttodance.ca will look at the different types of shoes you should be wearing to a dance class.

Finding the Right Fit: Ballet Flats
Finding the Right Fit: Pointe Shoes
Ballroom
Jazz/Modern/Street
Tap
National