A dream for all budding ballerinas is to dance on the tips of their toes in their very own satiny pink pointe shoes. However, when this dream is realized is a decision to be made by the ballet instructor. Please see the links on the bottom of this page to understand some of the criteria for dancing en pointe.

So, now that you have the 'all clear' permission signal to begin pointe, register for your pointe classes! Next, ask your instructor if they have preferences for brand, color, shank style, etc for the shoes. If your school or studio sells pointe shoes, your teacher will probably want to fit you him/herself. Even if you have to purchase the shoes elsewhere, they may want to come along.

Know your school's policies before you go.

For example:
• Will you be using the 'spring' (releve) method or the 'roll through' (eleve) method? There are shoes made specifically for different training styles.
• What types (if any) of padding are you allowed to wear at your school? Bring your padding along to the shoe fitting.
  Remember my advice- less is better when it comes to padding! Tough out the 'ouchies' as a beginner and use padding only to correct problems with your foot or shoe after discussing with a teacher. (There are lots of good books out there on dancing feet health with great ideas for remedying common and uncommon problems.)

Evaluate your feet! The Foot Type page on the Gaynor Minden site is excellent in determining to which official club your foot can belong. (I'm just kidding about the club, but I'm sure if you're really into it you could make an online community for Hammertoed Morton's footed dancers complete with membership cards...)

Go to the fitting with your teacher, mom, and/or older, en pointe sister. Try on as many shoes as you want, that is what the fitter is there for!

• Length in plie: Stand in a deep plie - second position. Are your toes being crushed into the end of the shoe? Curling under to make room? Can you pinch lots of extra fabric at your heels? If yes to any of these, you need a different length.
• Lenth in r/eleve: Position one foot in pointe, with no weight on it. (So you don't damage shoe or foot!) How much fabric can the fitter/mom/sister pinch? About 1/4 inch is reasonable, more than that and your shoe may be too long.
• Width: Look at the shoe on your foot - it should be snug, and hug your foot, but not cause toes to cross or curl. Do your toe knuckles bulge out of th side? Bad! The satin should be nice and smooth. However, you shouldn't be able to even stick a finger in either the top or sides of the shoe between the canvas and your foot.

Now, pick your shoes, sew on the ribbons, Fold heel up and sew a ribbon on both places where the heel meets the side and go learn how to tie them! Then you can dance (but only after taking them to your teacher and having him/her teach about a semester's worth of classes to you in them...)

Please see these articles answering the question:
• When Can I Go En Pointe?:
  Tree of Fitness
  
• 
  Avalon Dance