Thank you for choosing The Dance Spectrum for your pointe shoe fitting!
Here at The Dance Spectrum, we pride ourselves on our knowledge and expertise in pointe shoe fittings. Each of our pointe shoe fitters has worn the shoes themselves, as they are all dancers! Our staff undergo in depth training on our products and various shoe requirements. They know which shoes work best for each different & unique foot and will pull shoes that will work best for you. Pointe shoe fittings are by appointment only and conducted on a one on one basis with our highly trained fitters to ensure we find the perfect shoe for each dancer. Wearing the right pointe shoes can change a dancer's career and make their pointe work even more enjoyable. We’re thrilled that we get to share this experience with you and hope you enjoy every moment!
In preparation
- Make sure your toe nails are nicely trimmed before arriving for your appointment. If you have any blisters or sore spots, be sure to bandage them up so they don’t add any extra pain. Check out our post on foot care tips here.
- Remember to ask your teacher what pointe shoe accessories they are comfortable with, such as toe pads, toe tape or lamb’s wool. We think the ouch pouch is a brilliant invention!
Do I need to bring anything?
No, you’re not required to bring anything with you as we have everything you will need for your new pointe shoes! We do recommend wearing convertible tights so our fitters can put your toe padding or other accessories under them to keep them from moving around during the fitting process. If this is your first pair of pointe shoes, you may wish to wear your favourite leotard with your convertible tights as family may want to take a photo of you in your new shoes for you take home! If you have worn pointe shoes before, bring them along with any toe padding that you use. This will give your fitter insight into how you wear in your pointe shoes and allow the two of you to discuss what you liked and disliked about the shoes.
Can I bring my friends and family?
Absolutely! While your fitting is taking place, your friends and family are more than welcome to take photos of the process! If your friend would also like to be fit, they must make a separate appointment. In order to give everyone the attention and time they need to find their perfect shoe, we conduct our fittings on a one-on-one basis. We can group fittings, so if you and a number of your friends would like to be fit together, give us a call and we will find a time to schedule a larger group fitting to accommodate all of you!
What do new pointe shoes feel like? How should they fit my feet?
Your pointe shoes are going to feel very different than your street shoes and other dance shoes. While they will be tighter to prevent “sinking”, we don’t want you to feel any unnecessary pain! Make sure to tell your fitter if you feel any pinching, curling of the toes, or numbness. Your feedback is a vital part of your fitting success. Also keep this in mind – the more you wear your shoes the softer and more comfortable they will become. Visit our pointe shoe FAQ for more on properly fitting pointe shoes!
How long will my pointe shoe fitting take?
Be patient! The pointe shoe fitting process is trial and error so it’s not uncommon to try on numerous pairs of shoes, which is why we set aside 30-45 minutes for each of our scheduled appointments. It’s very important to us that you understand what a proper fitting shoe feels like, so our fitters will take the time to help you find your perfect fit.