| Modern day ballet shoes, sometimes called ballet | | | | suede soles. In either case, the sole does not |
| slippers, are lightweight and designed specifically | | | | reach all the way to the edge of the shoe. The |
| for ballet dancing. They are designed to provide | | | | shoe will have either a split sole or a full sole. As |
| much needed support for the ballet dancer's feet, | | | | the name suggests, a full sole will cover the length |
| and fit closely to the foot for safety and to allow | | | | of the shoe from the ball of the foot to the heel, |
| for optimum flexibility. | | | | whereas a split sole has a break in the middle to |
| The origins of the modern ballet shoe can be | | | | allow for increased flexibility of the foot. The full |
| traced back to the Mid 18th Century when Marie | | | | sole offers extra support and is well suited for |
| Camargo of the Paris Opéra Ballet was the first | | | | beginners who will advance to the split sole as |
| ever dancer to perform in a non-heeled shoe. This | | | | they become more experienced and demand |
| enabled her to execute leaps that were practically | | | | more flexibility of the foot. |
| impossible with the standard heeled women's | | | | There are many different suppliers of ballet shoes |
| ballet shoe of the time. After the French | | | | which can vary in quality significantly. The best |
| Revolution, heels were completely eliminated from | | | | way to ensure you get a pair that are good |
| ballet shoes and replaced by new flat soled shoes. | | | | quality and comfortable is to buy them from a |
| These were secured to the feet by ribbons and | | | | reputable brand such as Capezio, Bloch, Dance |
| included pleats under the toes which enabled | | | | Gear or So Danca. All of these suppliers have |
| dancers to leap, execute turns and fully extend | | | | many years experience in manufacturing ballet |
| their feet like never before. | | | | shoes. In particular, Capezio have over 100 years |
| The shoes are available in many different colours | | | | experience and expertise and to this day are still |
| such as black, white, red and flesh coloured. The | | | | worn by many professionals but are suitable for |
| most common colour to be worn on stage tends | | | | dancers of all abilities. |
| to be flesh coloured as they make it appear that | | | | Prices can vary quite a lot so it's always a good |
| the ballet dancer is dancing barefoot. Many | | | | idea to shop around. If you're unsure about what |
| dancers, however, like to customise their | | | | size to go for then you can always try out a local |
| appearance with brighter coloured shoes for | | | | dance shop who will be more than happy to offer |
| workshops, dance classes or rehearsals. | | | | advice and fit your ballet shoes for you. However, |
| The ballet shoe is manufactured in leather, satin or | | | | there is an array of online dance shops to choose |
| canvas. Though they traditionally have a leather | | | | from which often offer lower prices than on the |
| sole, most modern ballet shoes tend to have | | | | high street so it's definitely worth shopping around! |