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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Pointe shoes

32 replies

elephantoverthehill · 06/05/2018 22:31

Help please! I live on an island where nobody can supply or fit these, but that's ok because my family live in Bristol and we will be going there at Whitsun. So I suppose I will go to 'Dancewell' in Cotham. My question is do we need an appointment? And any other advice please............this whole thing is outside my small sphere of ballet knowledge, what do you advise for my Dd please? Or does anyone know of a good place between Southampton/Portsmouth and Bristol? TIA

OP posts:
PandaG · 06/05/2018 23:04

As pp have said, all done in one appointment, but it took nearly an hour! A friend's DD had to go back as they had nothing to fit her initially.

Boomboomboomboom · 06/05/2018 23:01

Personally I would get every pair of pointes fitted. Their feet change so much and they may prefer different brands or styles as they develop.

Darning is a dying art so you can buy these little leather covers to glue (with leather glue) on the ends.

You should buy pointe ribbon - it's not shiny and you could get pointe elastic too to stop them slipping off.

My daughter's only lasted 6 months Shock but it's fair to say she's had rather a lot of use out of them

Boomboomboomboom · 06/05/2018 22:55

I would recommend Roynon Dance Shop in Woolston Southampton. They are so lovely.
You can find them on line and I would recommend calling to book an appointment.

It will probably take 30-60 mins. Your daughter should wear ballet tights and they stock Bloch, Capezio, freed and Grishko.

Expect it to cost up to £90 first go Shock as the shoes are £44 and up, ouch pouch (toe pouch to look after feet) plus ribbons and leather tips and if necessary wool will bump up price.

Fitting is determined on how your daughter feels and what they look like on and the fit.

My daughter is on her second pair - much cheaper Grin as I only needed to get the shoes and ribbon this time. Funnily enough she wasn't sure first time round, second time immediately knew what felt right and they were a different brand and style to her first pair.

Good luck....its a totally awesome experience for your daughter. Take lots of pictures - Roynon have a fab mirror and barre
HTH

Original poster
elephantoverthehill · 06/05/2018 22:54

Thank you Mike. I had little tear when you said my 'dancer'. Ok so leather or satin? Ribbons or elastic? Padding or just let the poor child get callouses? Honestly I do not have a clue. Do you still have to darn the toes? All my knowledge is from 'Ballet Shoes' and yes I can talk to her teacher about all of this but I am hoping to get a wider perspective.

OP posts:
MikeWyzowski · 06/05/2018 22:45

No, make an appointment for a fitting and they will do it all there. It could take up to an hour but your dancer needs to be absolutely honest about the comfort and fit. Ideally they will last a year for a first pair so if they are too big (as my dds were because her ballet teacher figured she knew better then the shoe fitter and dd had a pair of shoes way too wide for her) she could end up with terrible blisters. Once she finds a brand and fit that suit her she can order online but that won't necessarily happen with the first pair.

Original poster
elephantoverthehill · 06/05/2018 22:40

Thanks PandaG. Did you have to go back for a fitting or was it done all at the same appointment?

OP posts:
PandaG · 06/05/2018 22:37

No experience of shops in that area, but we definitely needed an appointment when DD got fitted for hers.