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        DANCE SHOES - Pointe Slippers <S>

Following is a sampling of the dozens of toe slipper styles available. The STYLE GUIDE provides a brief comparative overview based on box shape and hardness and shank placement and durability. Following is additional style information listed by manufacturer. All styles have satin uppers unless noted. Telephone for fitting assistance or information regarding other styles and custom sizes, structures, and colors.

The box is the structurally reinforced slipper front which contains the toes. The platform is the flattened end of the box on which the wearer stands when en pointe. The vamp is the length of the top of the box. The shank is the arch support, generally sandwiched between layers of inner and outer soles. The crown is the height of the box, between vamp and sole. The wings are the sides of the box which extend farther back than the vamp. The traditional box, as exemplified by Pavlova, has a relatively narrow platform, higher crown, long vamp, and moderately tapered medium weight box.
For an introductory explanation of the purposes of these structures, see Why is a Pointe Slipper? at the end of this file.

NOTE:  Shank weights are herein generalized from #1 light to #6 extra heavy. Skived shanks are "dual-weight"; i.e., the specified forward portion being the listed weight with the remaining back portion tapered to approximately 1 weight lighter. ¾-length shanks are generally a shorter version of a full-length shank permitting more rapid shaping by developed feet. "Higher" shanks are placed closer to the heel, "lower" toward the toes.
POINTE SLIPPER STYLE GUIDE
STYLE NAME DESCRIPTION
CP103 PAVLOVA Traditional higher crown box, centered #3 leather shank; for students.
C176 CONTEMPORA Wider box, #2 leather shank version of Pavlova.
Bh132 SUPRIMA Traditional platform to wider, short, low, heavier box, #3 or 4 shank.
C196 PLIÉ I Broader, shorter, low crown box, #3 shank; for shorter toed, wider feet.
C198 TENDU I Similar to Plié I with lighter box and #2 shank; for more developed feet.
Sn404 LYRICA Broader, heavier traditional length box, #4 shank for added support.
Sn808 PREMIERE Broader, medium-long, low, heavier box, #4 shank.
C102 GLISSÉ Broader, longer vamp, higher box #3 or #5 ES shank, shortened sole.
C115 GLISSÉ PRO Glissé with lower-cut sides and heel. C117 has #5 shank
C113 ELAN C117 with lower side, skived ¾ #5 shank.
Sn202 RECITAL Broad, medium vamp, low crown heavy box, long #4 shank.
Sn303 PARTINAIRE Recital with centered #5 shank.
Bh130 SONATA Broad, medium length, low crown box, very long #2 shank.
Bh105 ASPIRATION Wide, strong, medium length box, #4 shank.
C121 ARIA Broad, medium length, low crown box, lower sides and back, #3 skived shank, ES #5.
C197 PLIÉ II Broader, slightly shorter vamp, slightly lower crown heavier box, #3 shank.
C199 TENDU II Similar to Plié II with lighter weight  box, #2 shank.
C190 PRELUDE Broad, short box, #3 shank; very light, yet durable.
C191 AERIAL Broad, lightweight box, short sole with higher #2 shank.
Bh168 SIGNATURE Broad, squared, low crown lighter box, select #4 or 5 shank.
Bh131 SERENADE Widest, squarest, short, shallow, heavy box, longer #3 or 4 shank.
Bh190 AXIS Traditional box, more durable heat moldable "shanks".
Bh170 B-MORPH Very wide platform, moldable "shanks".

CP103 C176 C196 Sn404 Sn101
 Bh105  BhT30 Bh100  Bh101 
 Bh104 C199 C191 Bh131

CAPEZIO

 C styles are satin, European pink unless otherwise noted. Ribbon and/or elastic sold separately.
Custom Makeup (CM) charge of $20.00/pair allows any combination of features, including non-stock sizes, shanks, mismated (2 sizes) pair, and colors. CM Colors: black, caramel, ivory, pink ("American" pink), red, white. Also, other styles To Order.
CP103    PAVLOVA    57.00
A child 1-adult 8, BCD 12- 8, E 12-6½, EE 1-6½
C113    ELAN    75.75
MWX 4-10    To Order
C121:121ES    ARIA : with heavier shank (petal pink)    69.50
MWX 4-12
C176    CONTEMPORA    59.00
BCDE EE 1-9
C190    PRELUDE    75.00
CUSTOM MAKE-UP
C191    AERIAL    64.75
BCD 1-7, E 3-7
The following styles are "street shoe" sized, numbered 3 sizes larger than slipper size; i.e., numbered size 8 is about slipper size 5.
C102:102ES    GLISSE : with heavy shank    65.75
MWX 4-12
C115:117    GLISSE PRO : with heavy shank    64.75
MWX 4-12
C196    PLIE I    65.75
MW 4-10
C197    PLIE II    65.75
MWX 4-10
C198    TENDU I    65.75
MW 4-10
C199    TENDU II    65.75
MWX 4-10

BLOCH

 European pink satin. Attachments sold separately.
Bh100    SYNERGY    68.50
Bh101    with ¾ shank.
2-8 Y YY YYY (~BCD)
Bh102    AMELIE  ~#2 shank.    54.25
Bh103    ~#3 standard shank.
2-8 widths 0 X XX XXX (~ABCD)
Bh104    ALPHA  ¾ sole.    68.50
2-8 X XX XXX (~BCD)
Bh105    ASPIRATION    47.50
child 13-adult 9 ABCDE
Bh130    SONATA    58.00
child 13-adult 9 ABCDE
Bh131    SERENADE with #3 shank    58.00
Bh131S    with #4 shank
1-9 BCDE
Bh132    SUPRIMA with #3 shank    58.00
Bh132S    with  #4 shank
1-9 BCDE
Bh168    SIGNATURE REHEARSAL with #4 shank   60.00
Bh168S    with #5 shank
1-9 BCDE
Bh170 Bh190
The following two styles incorporate longer lived moldable (hair dryer heat shapeable) insoles which replace traditional shanks. An instruction booklet is included. In the USA, insoles are stocked in PL4, medium durability "shank". Request further information.
Bh170    B-MORPH    68.50
2-8 1X,2X,3X,4X  (~ABCD widths)
Bh190    AXIS    68.50
2-8 1X,2X,3X  (~ABC widths)

SANSHA

 An economic line of slippers. Sn styles are light European (peach) pink satin with wide "transparent" near-heel elastic one-side attached. Ribbon to be purchased separately. Generally wider, heavier boxes with heavier, more forward shanks than most Capezio styles. **styles allow addition of replaceable shank stems. Full sizes only, numbered 1-16 are actually about 3½ sizes smaller; e.g., if you have been wearing C176 size 4½C try Sn202 size 8N.
N=C, M=D, W=E, X=EE widths

Sn505    ETUDES  
Medoum shank, shorter vamp, wide square box with leather platform.
3-14 NMWX
Sn202S**    RECITAL  (also light tan, white)    46.00
3-14 NMWX
Sn202C    CANVAS RECITAL  (black, pink only)    39.00
10-18 NMWX
Sn303    PARTENAIRE    39.00
3-14 NMWX
Sn404    LYRICA    46.00
3-11 NMWX
Sn808**    PREMIERE    46.00
3-14 NMWX
SnST    REPLACEMENT SHANK STEM    4.50/pair
Specify shoe size and width.

Also, other brands and many other styles of pointe slippers.

            POINTE ACCESSORIES

                    TOE PADDING <SA>

C1    FOAM PADS SML     6.25
C2    LAMBS WOOL PADS SML    6.75
PwLC    WOOL PADS compact seams.    8.00
C12    PRO PADS  fabric covered minimum gel with compact seams. SL    22.25
C3    BOXED LAMBS WOOL 1 oz.    6.25
C1027    DONUT PADS  1" diameter with 3/8" diam opening x 1/16" thick reuseable fabric covered, self-adhesive gel pads.    6 / 7.25
Several other types of specialty pads available - ASK.

                    RIBBON & ELASTIC

SAA5:7    RIBBON 3 yards, NARROW 5/8" : WIDE 7/8"  (black, Euro-pink, pink, white)    4.75
TIWr225123:5    SATIN RIBBON satin one side, 5/8" : 15/16" 100 yd spool (50 colors)    22.00 : 30.00
TIWr3031 GROSGRAIN RIBBON 5/8" x 20 yards (25 colors)    14.00
SAC9:10    7/16" : 7/8" ELASTIC 144 yards (black, pink, white)    55.00
C350    SEWING KIT  75 yards thread, 2 needles, ribbon sewing instructions. (black, European pink, white)    6.75
NOTE: For those who prefer to match ribbon to tights, 100 yard spools are available in most colors, including several shades of pink - ASK.
GTSAID: No need for frayed ribbon ends. Nylon fabric fuses when heated. When cut to desired length, move the trimmed edges near a lighter flame to permanently fuse.

                    MISCELLANEOUS <SA>

Ast8073    POWDERED ROSIN 14 oz. box    11.00
C409   CHUNK ROSIN 12 oz. box    12.50
C11    SLIPPER COVERS 12 child - 8 adult, full sizes. (white)    8.75
G788    MEASURING STICK sizing 0-15 AA-EE    15.00

 

                                Why is a Pointe Slipper?

Following is a brief, simple introduction to the structures which define a pointe slipper. Although many structural variations and combinations exist, all toe shoe designs accommodate some degree of toes and arch "support".
There are two unique structures which provide the unique assistance of a pointe slipper (frequently called "support"). To understand their functions, it must be noted that toes, whether or not in dance shoes, should be extended and parallel. When à terre the entire bottom of all toes, including under the joints, should be in contact with the support surface so that the knuckles do not buckle upward. Also, the toes should lie in side contact, neither separated nor overlapped.
The box is the moderately to very reinforced front of the slipper, extending from near the top of the vamp through the platform, fully surrounding much of the length of the toes. The shank is a reinforcing insert roughly centered and between the sole layers. Primarily the box provides 2 types of assistance, the shank 1, and the alignment of the shank into the box 1 type.
The most obvious box assist is the platform, the flat end which provides much greater stability than the tip of one toe. The most important function of the box is to squeeze the toes firmly together so that gravitational force when en pointe is immediately distributed through all of the toes, and centered through the metatarsal, the leg, and upward. Also, if the toes buckle when en pointe, the boxed vamp should prevent their collapse to the knuckles ("knuckle dancing"), a potentially very harmful position.
The shank increases the strength of the slipper sole and, with practice, provides the student assistance to "spring" quickly and smoothly to releve en pointe or smoothly, quietly recover to à terre.
The shank, mounted into the bottom of the box, holds the small, weak toes in alignment with the much stronger metatarsal, which is primarily responsible for foot placement ("pointing the toes").
While many more and varied physical and technical aspects must be considered when fitting toe shoes, the above structural applications must always be evaluated. The TOE SHOE STYLE GUIDE, at the beginning of this file, offers a simple structural comparison of several slipper styles.

            ADDITIONAL FITTING CONSIDERATIONS

En pointe stability begins with slippers which hold firmly to each foot - not rotating, sliding forward and back, nor slipping off the heel. Following are a few of the more common considerations.
        1.  If foot growth is expected, fit the slippers with pads. Overlengthing the slippers should not be more than the width of the heel seam ribbon (pinch the back of the slipper, rolling the ribbon sidewise with its edge against the Achilles tendon) when en pointe. One of the advantages of foam (not "gel") pads is their extra bulk, allowing them to be traded for inexpensive wool pads when foot growth indicates a need for more space, thus increasing the use period of the slippers.
        2.  Keep in mind that no two feet are the same dimensions. Both feet must be separately fitted resulting in a compromise sizing decision.
        3.  Proportional toe length on each foot results in the taper of the toes lengths. If all toes are of similar length, the minimal (straighter) taper yields a more square shape, commonly requiring a wider platform versus a more acute (more triangular) taper needing a narrower platform. Second and/or third toes longer than the primary toe require various adjustments - ask.
        4.  Taper and the overall length of all toes determines the vamp length. Longer toes generally require a longer box in order to keep the toes firmly held together. Shorter toes require a short vamp to avoid restriction of reverse flexion in demi-pointe.
        5.  Shank placement should be under the metatarsal; for example, long toes and lateral arch commonly require a longer and higher (more to the rear of the slipper) shank. A dancer's rapid deterioration of shanks frequently has less to do with shank weight than placement ("riding" or "sitting on" the shank).
        6.  Heavier boxes and shanks should be avoided. Especially with young, weak, inexperienced feet, easier slipper shaping avoids common shape-out (commonly called "break-in") foot irritation and results in sooner improved en pointe placement.

The potential variety of  fitting "problems" is as broad as the range of feet to be fitted, including many podiatric difficulties. Most feet may be safely  trained en pointe, but may require fitting considerations well beyond the above. A few examples follow - for further assistance, telephone.
        1.  The industry, unfortunately, uses an unnecessarily confusing mix of sizing references: foot length, streetshoe length, plus Paris, English, centimeters, and various proprietary import systems. Widths are equally varied and confusing. Most U.S. manufacturers follow the long established original Ballet Makers standard of ladies foot length and alphabetical (A B C D E EE) width. When dealing with any other dimensional system, it is very useful to understand how it varies from the U.S. original standard. For example, being fitted in a C197 10W ("streetshoe size" - actually about 7D foot size) which is too short, need not require a custom size until trying a similar wide platform style like C176 7½D or larger (available through foot size 9 EE). Request further relational sizing assistance.
        2.  In the early teens, it is common for foot size to grow only slowly or even shorten during pointe training. Even early pointe training should yield some arch development. As the arch lifts, the relative foot length decreases. Also, as the metatarsals strengthen, the increased muscle "fattens" the arch. Therefore, it is not unusual that wider, sometimes shorter, sucessive slipper sizes may be needed.
        3.  Most girl's feet are done growing about age 13. When growth ceases, fitting should be done with wool or no pads, seeking an accurate (no excess space) fit à terre. If at this time, after successful use of, at least, two sucessive pairs of  identical slippers, it is noted that the two feet are so different that a compromise one size fit does not provide satisfactory control, separate foot fitting may be considered. Because pointe slippers are not right and left lasted, and especially if slippers are requiring frequent replacement, accurate individual foot fitting should prove helpful.
        4.  For most students, the first three to five years en pointe produce distinct changes in their feet, frequently requiring changes, not only of size, but of slipper style. Beginning with the first slippers, it is wise for the student to track their slipper use for the last three pairs used. Note style, size, beginning use date, problems (what, when, elliminated or not), and any specific reasons for the fitting selection. This information, as well as examination of the shoes currently in use, provide a substantial knowledge foundation for each successive fitting.

For further information or assistance, contact GTS: 712/255-0972.

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This file was partially updated 6/18/10.