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All About Pointe Shoes
Welcome to the first of our 'All About' guides to help you get the most from your dancewear and footwear products. The Planet Dance team are passionate about all aspects of dance, and we want to share our knowledge and passion with our customers. We hope that you find these 'All About' informational pages of interest and that as well as helping you to make the right dancewear product choice, you'll find them an invaluable reference tool too.
The Planet Dance team know how important it is to make the right choice of pointe shoe, and we hope that you find our 'All About' guide helps you to do just that. The first section is courtesy of Capezio and offers a guide to the anatomy and fitting of a pointe shoe. The second section contains a matrix of all the pointe shoes in the Planet Dance collection which enables you to match the characterics of each pointe shoe with your particular foot shape, level of experience and dance / performance requirements.
Pointe Shoe Anatomy: Courtesy of Capezio
Dancing on pointe is a very elegant yet athletic talent, requiring grace and strength. To compliment the form of this dance discipline, the pointe shoe is regarded as an extension of the foot and a continuation of the leg line. However, regardless of a dancer's technical ability, a pointe shoe must fit properly in order to provide the support required to dance en pointe. To get a correct fit, each dancer must know the parts of the pointe shoe.
Last:
The last is the mold on which a pointe shoe is constructed. The shape of a last is designed to represent the dancer's foot. A different last is used for each size and width in every style.
Box:
The box covers the toes and provides the support a dancer needs to stand en pointe. Dependent upon the manufacturer they may be made of different materials for instance Capezio line the pointe shoe boxes with a combination of natural materials and Capezio's specially formulated glue. The side wings are an extension of the pointe shoe box and provide lateral support.
Vamp:
The vamp refers to the length of the pointe shoe upper measuring from the platform to and including the binding at the centre front of the shoe. A longer vamp can help draw the foot closer to the shank when en pointe.
Throat:
The throat is the open area loated from one side seam to the other through the centre front of the pointe shoe. The throat is the shape of the upper which presents and flatters the arch of the dancer's foot.
Drawstring/Binding:
The binding is the finished edge of the upper. the drawstring, which is encased in the binding, further secures the pointe shoe upper to the foot.
Platform:
The platform is the outer, flat tip of the box which allows the dancer to stand en pointe.
Crown:
The crown is the vertical height between the vamp and the sole of the pointe shoe.
Pleats:
The pleats are located on the underside of the box where the fabric is folded into the sole.
Stay:
The stay is the fabric that covers the seam in the back of the pointe shoe at the dancer's heel.
Side Quarters:
The side quarters are the sections of satin from the side seams to the back of the stay
Sole:
The outer sole is made of either buffed or scored leather to provide traction. In the case of Capezio pointe shoes, the sole is internally stitched in the upper.
Shank:
The shank is made of leatherborad and is the backbone of the pointe shoe. It is located under the socklining and provides support to the arch. Shanks range is strength to accommodate the strength and technical ability of each dancer.
Pointe Shoe Matrix
|
Make |
Model |
Shank |
Box / Platform Shape |
Box Strength |
Widths |
Uk Sizes |
|
Capezio |
Contempora |
Moderate |
Tapered |
Moderate |
B - EE |
Adult 1-5 |
|
Capezio |
Glisse |
Moderate |
Square |
Moderate |
M - WW |
Adult 2-10 |
|
Capezio |
Glisse MS |
Hard |
Square |
Maximum |
M - WW |
Adult 2-10 |
|
Sansha |
Soprano |
Medium |
Tapered |
|
N - X |
Adult 1-9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Recital |
Medium |
Wide |
|
N - X |
Child 12.5 - Adult 9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Partenaire |
Reinforced |
Wide |
|
N - X |
Adult 1-9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Etudes |
Medium |
Square |
|
N - W |
Adult 1-9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Premiere |
Medium |
Extra-Flat |
|
N - W |
Child 12.5 - Adult 9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Lyrica |
Medium/Hard |
V Shaped |
|
N - X |
Adult 1-9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Ovation |
Medium 3/4 |
Tapered |
|
N - XX |
Adult 1-9.5 |
|
Sansha |
Legende |
Hard 3/4 (stops under arche) |
Pear Shaped |
|
N - X |
Adult 1-9.5 |
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