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Original poster

Ballet shoes sizing

18 replies

Bramshott · 25/04/2006 10:14

I heard that ballet shoes always come up small so best to get the next size up - i.e. if DD is in size 8 shoes, then get size 9 ballet shoes. I'm trying to get them from ebay so no chance to try on - does anyone have any experience of whether this is right?

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 25/04/2006 10:15

I would NOT buy ballet shoes off Ebay unless I'd had that model fitted in a shop first. The last can vary by maker, too. And you don't want poor-fitting ballet shoes. BAD. Been there, bought the tshirt, lost two toenails to show for it.

Original poster

Bramshott · 25/04/2006 10:20

Thanks expat - that's useful. They're just the little soft ones though as she's only 3.5. Would you still say the same?

OP posts:

Original poster

Bramshott · 25/04/2006 10:53

Anyone else?

OP posts:

bundle · 25/04/2006 11:11

got dd2 some on saturday (there's a man who sells ballet gear who goes to the first few lessons every term so people can buy shoes etc) - she's a 7 and we got her size 8.

MaryBS · 25/04/2006 15:27

The last lot of ballet shoes we got for Rebecca were from John Lewis and we went up TWO sizes! I agree, you cannot guess the size you need, you have to try them on!

nutcracker · 25/04/2006 15:35

Dd generally has a size or size and a half bigger than her shoe size but I also don't by them off ebay because i'd rather someone else check that they fit properly.

I do buy her character shoes off ebay but only because in those she is the same size as school shoes and at the mo she only wears them for one dance.

Original poster

Bramshott · 25/04/2006 15:58

Thanks for all your advice guys. So it looks like we will be going for the leotard from ebay and then shoes from the dance school.

OP posts:

Aero · 25/04/2006 16:14

Lone voice here perhaps, but I bought dd's ballet shoes from Ebay (will look up the shop and do you a link if you like). They needed to be one size bigger than dd's feet and they were fine on her. Little soft pink leather ones with the elastic already sewn in. Was considerably cheaper to buy them (and cover (steepish for light package) postage) from Ebay than the local dancewear shop.

Original poster

Bramshott · 25/04/2006 16:23

I would so like that to be the case as it's all so expensive this ballet lark, and having the right stuff (all pink!) seems to be very important! If you can remember who the shop was then that would be great. Were they new or second hand?

OP posts:

Aero · 25/04/2006 16:25

They were new bramshott. Will have a look now.

Aero · 25/04/2006 16:29

\link{http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZpeveril100\This is the seller I bought from.}

Original poster

Bramshott · 25/04/2006 16:30

That looks brilliant - thanks!

OP posts:

Aero · 25/04/2006 16:40

Anytime.

Skribble · 25/04/2006 23:25

Bramshott, often ballet classes/ schools have for sale notice boards and even lost shoe boxes, at this age a perfect fit is not going to be a worry different matter once they are older.

They have a little lace that you can pull to adjust to ensure they fit closely aound and an elastic which you sew on to get a good fit also, if elastic has been stitched on already you could adjust this if not right. They are very soft and will mould quickly to her feet.

\link{http://www.dancingwear.co.uk/Catalogue/Shoes/Ballet/Fitting.htm\Advice on sewing on elastic}

Original poster

Bramshott · 26/04/2006 10:09

God this is all new to me! As a child I hated ballet with a passion, but DD seems to love it so here we go . . . . !

OP posts:

Flum · 26/04/2006 10:10

I think they come up massive

KTeePee · 26/04/2006 10:16

Yes you usually need a size up - but because they are so soft sometimes two pairs of the same size will fit differently so would definitely recommend you try them on first

Skribble · 26/04/2006 13:08

When I was younger I was a total Tomboy with na ability to dance, I don't know if its nature or nurture but DD is a pink puff with a amazing sense of rhythum and loves dancing. We are gearing up for the summer show, DD needs new jazz shoes and fees are due for classes and the summer school, it never ends, sigh.

Well it keeps her busy and hopefully when she is a teenager she will spend all her evenings in the dance school instead of hanging around the streets, fingers crossed.

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