Today I’m dedicating a post to pointe shoes.
Like all the other little girls out there, I couldn’t wait to get into a a pair.
And, as anyone who has had their feet in a pair knows–once you do–it becomes a whole other story…
My feet actually survived pretty well–I have little permanent damage from years of pointe work, unless you count the fact that my second toe used to be slightly longer than my big toe, and now they are the same length. I don’t feel it is particularly noteworthy…especially considering what could have happened to them.
After trying several brands, I wound up in Freed pointe shoes, which had an unusual, almost orange cast to the color of the satin. Very pretty. I can still remember going to buy them with my Mom. The place that sold the shoes was in an old building in downtown Chicago. If memory serves, you had to take a cage-style elevator up to the little store, and it always seemed like there was no one else on the floor when you got out. I remember it as a little spooky; but kind of exciting too.
I have always found it interesting, the different ways that ballet dancers prepare their pointe shoes. I didn’t have much of a special routine to break them in, although I always did wrap my ribbons nicely around the shoes after I took them off.
As for protecting the feet, after a while I didn’t bother with lamb’s wool or toe caps. Once in a while I would wind some paper towel around my toes if they were feeling particularly tender. My feet always felt sore to some degree, but you just learned to live with it, and oddly, it simply became normal to be in pain.
I was just telling this story the other day…after my feet toughened up, I was walking through the house without shoes or socks on and suddenly heard a clicking noise each time I took a step on my left foot. When I looked, a tack was stuck into the bottom. I felt nothing, and when I pulled it out, I didn’t bleed either. Kind of funny…
What about you? Any peculiar stories to share? Any preference in terms of pointe shoes? I’d love to hear from you…
Funny… or scary? lol I’ve never tried Freed. I eventually ended up in Chacott. They seemed to fit and feel the best for my feet but I don’t know that I ever had access to a quality fitting. I did like the “European” pink/orange of the shoe though 🙂
🙂 Interesting…I never tried Chacott…tried lots of others though! It took a while for me to find the right shoe for my feet. Can’t say I really miss pointe work!
Very intiresting. I am doing a report in school, and have not yet been asked if I wanted to be in Pointe. I am excited, even if it means the biggest blisters in history! Beauty sometines costs pain! hah! My teacher is realy strict of when she lets us go. Not only the age, but our strength! 🙂
Strict is ok when it comes to going on pointe–it means your teacher really cares that your body is ready! All the best to you with your schooling and dance–and thanks for reading!
Yeah I look up to her. she knows all these new tricks, and is very good about looking at us for ranking. Do you have a studio? If you do, how early do you give out pointe shoes? just wondering 🙂 I love your website by the way.
I don’t have my own studio, but I do teach adults. They don’t wear pointe shoes though. I think your teacher understands the idea that it isn’t really about being a certain age, but having the bones in the foot developed and the supporting parts of the foot strengthened properly. Patience–you’ll get there! 🙂
Thanks for the nice compliment Tiffany! And thanks for the comment!
Np! I hope I can make it that long! (Before my head blows in anticipation! Hah!) That’s ok if they don’t. I’m sure your students are wonderful! 😉
I had dance last night, and it was pretty ok. I can tell she is testing me to see if i’m ready. I hope she gets good results!
i love this website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :]