What to expect at a pointe shoe fitting

As a dancer who has both been fit and fit other dancers, I have a wealth of pointe shoe fitting experiences.  In this post, I will overview the basics of what you can expect to happen during a pointe shoe fitting.

You can get a fitting at most local dancewear stores, most company flagship stores (like the Capezio store in New York City), and at some dance studios.  Always talk to your teacher to see where he or she would prefer you go for your fitting.  Most dancewear stores require dancers to make appointments for fittings, so call the store to get information and set your appointment day and time.

Try to schedule your fitting around the same time of day that you have pointe class.  (Over the course of the day, your feet swell.  If you get a fitting early in the morning and you have class in the evening, your shoes may not fit as well once your feet have swollen after a day of activity.)

Always wear comfortable clothes like yoga pants or leggings to your fitting.  You can wear a leotard and convertible or footless tights if you would like, but it is not required.  Just make sure you can move around and easily do a grande plie in second position.  

If you have already been en pointe, bring your old pointe shoes and toe pads to the fitting.  Most fitters like to see how your old shoes have been fitting you and if they are too small or have been causing you any problems.  If your shoes have been causing problems like pain or blisters, think about how you can tell the fitter this information.  The fitter will not know what you are feeling unless you speak up.  

If this is your first fitting and you have never been en pointe before, make sure your teacher has given you permission to get your pointe shoes.  Some teachers give suggestions about the type of toe pads or pointe shoes you should get, and some teachers want to attend the fitting with you.  Make sure you note the suggestions and/or schedule your appointment for a time that works for your teacher.

When you arrive for your fitting, the fitter will probably ask you some questions like how old you are and how long you have been dancing.  The fitter may take notes while he or she asks you questions.  Next, the fitter will probably look at your feet and evaluate your foot shape, flexibility, and muscle development.  You may be asked to tendu, plie, or eleve in first position.  The fitter may examine your ankles and knees as well.  These steps are most common at a first fitting or the first time you are fit at a new location.  If you have been fit at the same location multiple times, the fitters may skip these steps.  

Then you will put on toe pads.  This is a good time to bring up any of your teacher's suggestions, especially if they pertain to the type of toe pads you should have.  Toe pads, which look like just the toe of a sock, protect your toes inside your pointe shoes.  There are many varieties that are good for different shapes and sizes of feet.  Some are thick and some are thin.  At your first fitting, you will need to purchase toe pads in addition to your pointe shoes.  If this is a refit, start by putting on the toe pads you already have, but be willing to change to a different type if the fitter suggests it.  Also, you may need more accessories like spacers or toe caps.  The fitter should suggest these things if you need them.

Next, if you have pointe shoes already, the fitter should look at the old shoes on your feet.  You may go up in the shoes so the fitter can see how they are broken in and if you are all the way up on your box.  Of course, if this is a first fit, this step will be skipped.

After that, the fitter will start bringing out shoes to try on.  If it is your first fitting, the fitter should tell you about the parts of a pointe shoe (brush up on the parts with my anatomy of a pointe shoe video.) and give you a little tutorial about the best way to put on the shoe so it is straight on your foot.

Always try on the pointe shoes the fitter brings out even if they are not the brand, shape, or size you expect.  Just because your friend has a Grishko 2007 does not mean that a Grishko 2007 will work for your foot.  

Once you have the shoes on, the fitter should evaluate the size, width, shape, and shank hardness by looking at your feet in first position and in a "tipped up" position like this (you place one foot en pointe by gently bending your knee while the other foot remains in first position):

The fitter should manipulate the shoe around your heel to check the fit.  Try your best to hold still and maintain your position.

The fitter may tell you to take off the shoes and try another pair (or several more pairs), or he or she may think the shoe fits well.  After evaluating the shoe on your foot, the fitter should have you go to a barre.  The fitter should have you face the barre.  You may do a grande plie in second position to further evaluate the fit (in this position, all of you weight is down on your feet in your shoes).  

The next step is to eleve (up onto pointe) in first position.  The fitter will probably ask questions like whether you feel supported or if you are sinking (your toes are smooshing into the floor and hurting).  At this point, you may take off the shoes and try a new pair, or you may move on to more evaluations of this pair.  

When you are up in eleve, the fitter should manipulate the shoes around your heels to evaluate the fit.  If the fitter (and YOU) are satisfied with the shoe at this point, you can take fifth position and releve sous sous.  You can do some bourees to check if you are sinking when you are moving en pointe.  When you can bouree without your foot moving in the shoe or your toes smooshing the floor and hurting, you have probably found a good shoe.  

This process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour, so don't be surprised if you have to try on a lot of shoes before you find a good fit for you.  Don't be afraid to ask questions of your fitter.  He or she is there to support you.  

If your teacher did not attend the fitting with you, always show your shoes to your teacher before you wear them or sew on your ribbon and elastic.  This allows your teacher to have the final say as to whether the shoe is good on your foot.  If the teacher disapproves of the shoe, ask him or her what should be changed and go back to the place you were fit to exchange the shoe for a different one.  Most stores are ok with this as long as the shoes are in perfect condition.  

If you had your first fitting, only wear your new pointe shoes during class and under the supervision of your teacher.  You could hurt yourself or develop some bad habits if you wear your pointe shoes at home.