Where do you but pointe ballet shoes from????

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DD will be starting work with pointe ballet shoes come September.

I am completely at a loss when it comes to this and really don't want to show my lack of knowledge at the ballet school....... (although I will if I don't get the right answer!!!!!) LOL

Can you just buy pointe shoes off the internet like you just buy ballet shoes or do they need to get them fitted etc... by a proper fitter?

If off the internet - anyone know of a reputable seller?

PS, DD does ballet because she enjoys it - she will never make a ballerina

Do you live close to London? The Freed shop in St Martin's Lane is the place to go. When I went recently, there was a girl buying her first pair of pointes. I learnt by eavesdropping that pointe shoes have to be a good fit (and you can choose between hard and soft soles), so I wonder whether it might be a bit risky buying them online?

deffo need them fitted, different makes fit totally differently. Her feet will be sore enough to start with without having poor fit pointes.

You definitely need to try on. Each pair differs, and even a fraction difference on size feels very different when on.

Agree that Freeds are great. I ended up having mine individually made for me, rather than buying standard sizes, as had loads of different things I needed, like extra deep fit (very long toes), extra narrow fitting, hard backs etc.

Expect pointe shoe fitting to take a while - don't think I ever mangaged it in under an hour (before having them made to measure). Even shoes which are supposedly the sale size will be substantially different, depending on who made them (my makers mark was a half castle) - you get to know which ones are more likely to shit after a while.

Sorry, phone auto correct - you know which ones ate likely to fit after a while...

Bit nosey, but how much are they? My DD will be hoping to need them next year.

Freeds certainly

does her school not recommend a stockist?

I used to take DD2 to the Bloch shop in London - I think the shoes were about £30 and she has some cushion inserts that cost about £8. Her teacher insisted we went to this particular shop and checked the fit herself the first time DD2 wore them. Once we found a brand DD2 liked we stuck with it. You do need to have them fitted for the first time as there are lots of different styles.

Can I just be nosy here and ask how old your DDs are? My three DDs all do ballet but are not at the pointe stage yet - DD1 is 12 and about to do G4 - will pointes come soon? She has rather weak ankles and I worry pointe work will be too much for them, but she does love ballet and I'd hate her to have to give up.

Read up thoroughly before you go and get her teacher's advice on how the shoe should feel it's a very alien sensation at first. Go to more than one shop too, as many as possible it is quite often the case that a manufacturer doesn't make anything (off the peg) which will suit a particular dancer. An almost fit isn't good enough with pointe shoes. Freeds' shoes just never fitted me, for example. And as with anything, you do get better fitters some days than others, in all the shops. Don't sew on the ribbons until the teacher has approved the fit. You could also ask advice (or just read up) over on the boards of Ballet Talk. It's US based forum but lots of Brits too and some very knowledgeable teachers who are keen not to see young girls trashing their joints .

TheFirstLady DD2 was 12 when she started pointe work I think the teacher made an assessment of when she was ready rather than being at a particular grade. Some of the girls didn't take to it and the teacher told them they should never push themselves and should stop the minute it felt uncomfortable (a bit of a contrast to her normal style of teaching ). Pointe work is only part of the more advanced ballet and your DD should still be able to carry on even if she has weak ankles.

DD2 finally gave up a year ago at 16 after a combination of things got in the way (she was up to five times a week by then) but she still misses it sometimes and prances round the house in her pointe shoes!

Sorry, I meant Ballet Talk for Dancers. Ballet Talk is more for people who are ballet fans.

Don't be shy about asking the school who they'd recommend, I'm surprised they've sort of left you to it TBH. It's vital to get them fitted properly and in person. I would never buy them without trying them on - pointe shoes are made by hand and, as a previous poster has mentioned already, can have slight variations so that one pair might feel better than another apparently identical pair.

Different manufacturers make shoes with quite distinct shapes and features, so you may be best going to a recommended dance retailer with a reputation for well-trained staff, rather than to a stockist who sells only their own brand. They can then advise a make to suit your DDs feet and level (eg it can help when starting out to have a shoe with a shank that isn't too stiff so that a beginner can get right over onto pointe correctly). I started off with Freeds, but moved onto Gambas on the recommendation of a very good fitter, and they suited my feet much better. Other reputable brands are Capezio and Bloch. Are you in London? Might be able to ask around for a recommendation - has been years since I bought any!

DD is almost 13 and going into grade 5 ballet. I spoke to another mother today about the shoes and she also agreed with what others have said here and speak with the ballet teacher.

I was feeling a bit embarrassed as I didn't know anything about the shoes etc....

SO I will pluck up courage and speak with her come the new term. DD has already started doing prep work for the pointe work 15 mins after each lesson. She is so excited.

Will definitely get them fitted.

Ahh, it is so exciting, I remember that feeling well - thought the day would never come!