| The pointe shoe is a type of shoe designed | | | | available in flesh colours. This is so that the dancer |
| specifically for the ballet dancer. It allows them to | | | | almost appears as though they are performing |
| stand on the tips of their toes - or en pointe - for | | | | barefoot. |
| a prolonged period of time. The effect is that the | | | | A student may use demi-pointe shoes to help |
| ballet dancer appears to move around the | | | | with the transition from soft ballet shoes. This is |
| performance space as though weightless. Though | | | | because they have the characteristics of both |
| they are largely worn by female dancers, they | | | | soft ballet shoes and pointe shoes. The untrained |
| are occasionally worn by male performers in roles | | | | eye may find it difficult to see the difference but |
| such as the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella and Bottom | | | | there are several. Though the outer of the shoe |
| in A Midsummer Night's Dream. | | | | much resembles a pointe shoe, the toe box is |
| As all dancer's feet are unique, there is no | | | | softer and the sides of the toe box (or wings) or |
| standard design for the pointe shoe and most | | | | not usually as deep. Furthermore, demi-pointe |
| manufacturers produce several models. Features | | | | shoes have no shank which means they do not |
| of the dancer's feet that may vary include the | | | | provide the required support for pointe work. As |
| length and shape of their toes, flexibility of the | | | | a result, dance teachers often strongly advise of |
| arch, and the mechanical strength of the foot. | | | | the dangers of standing en-pointe in this type of |
| However, all pointe shoes share the same two | | | | shoe. As well as helping students make the |
| internal structural features. These are the "box" | | | | transition, demi-pointe shoes are occasionally used |
| and the "shank". The box is a hard enclosed space | | | | for performances which require the appearance |
| at the end of the shoe which is designed to | | | | of pointe shoes but no pointe work is performed. |
| support the dancer's toes. The end of the box is | | | | It's important for the dancer to ensure they have |
| flattened to create a platform which enables the | | | | the correct fit for their pointe shoes. It's also |
| dancer to stand en pointe. The shank is a rigid | | | | advisable to ensure that they are supplied by a |
| piece of material which provides support for the | | | | reputable manufacturer such as Bloch or Freed of |
| arch when the foot is en pointe. | | | | London. An ill fitting or poor quality pair can cause |
| It's very important for the pointe shoe to be | | | | lasting and irreparable damage to the foot. If you |
| aesthetically pleasing to the eye so its exterior is | | | | are replacing a pair of pointe shoes and know |
| covered with fabric. This is almost always satin | | | | exactly what size you need, there are many |
| but can very occasionally by canvas though this is | | | | online specialist dance shops which can offer |
| extremely rare. Unlike other styles of dance | | | | excellent prices so it's a good idea to shop around |
| shoes such as soft ballet shoes, jazz shoes or | | | | for the best deal. |
| dance sneakers, pointe shoes are generally only | | | | |