i need a leotard, ballet slippers, and tap shoes for grace and the only dance store i know of is in an area with only parallel parking (not my favorite thing to do;) and a bit of a walk.
i'd really like to avoid dragging the kids there if at all possible.
I don't know what the requirements are at the dance studio, but I scored some like new tap shoes at a kid resale shop. I also know that you can buy leotards and tights at Target, Kohls and Walmart (quality is not quite as good, but they do work) and Payless shoes does sell tap and ballet shoes (once again the quality is not quite as good).
Like Melissa said, the sizing of the brand names are the same as anywhere else. I just ordered tap shoes from Natalie, but I actually ordered a size up on a recommendation from a friend. I hope the shoes fit!
Like Melissa said, the sizing of the brand names are the same as anywhere else. I just ordered tap shoes from Natalie, but I actually ordered a size up on a recommendation from a friend. I hope the shoes fit!
no, I am ordering up a size this time too. She had a tap class this summer and the shoes are already near too small.
Do you do the whole lace up shoe or the strap? every studio has a preference.
okay, so i figured out the sizing for tights/leotard, but now on the ballet slippers...where it says street size...Grace wears a 7 or 8, but that is in toddler size and i am guessing what is listed is children's sizes. hmmm.
I order from Discount Dance. The ballet flats I order at street size and they're just fine. Any other shoe is a whole different story. I always order at least a size bigger than what they say. Sometimes more than that. I bought Rebecca some more pointe shoes this summer and had to order 1 1/2 size larger than what they said. I also ordered jazz shoes for her and had to order 2 sizes larger than what they said. Leotards are close to what they say, but I'd order a size larger, just to be safe.
I ordered Natalie the tap shoes with the strap. Honestly, I didn't even ask the school if they had a preference. On the registration form, it only says TAN tap shoes. This is Natalie's first tap/ballet combo class. She is so excited to wear the shoes "that make the cool clicking noise!"
I ordered Natalie the tap shoes with the strap. Honestly, I didn't even ask the school if they had a preference. On the registration form, it only says TAN tap shoes. This is Natalie's first tap/ballet combo class. She is so excited to wear the shoes "that make the cool clicking noise!"
yeah, see we have to have a certain style.
The tap shoes sold at like payless, etc. have a very small metal plate on them. The ones like we order from DD have a bigger plate. So, the noise is very different on them and easier too for the kids just learning tap.
We haven't ordered online, but I have found the clothes run true to size. however, they are all over the place with shoes. Same brand of ballet and tap shoes (bloch) and they wear different sizes in each-so their ballet shoes are not the same size as their tap shoes. But as long as you can exchange them, I wouldn't worry.
I second the resale/consignment thing. I got their first tap shoes at once upon a child for probably 1/4th the cost. (I had to get buckle ones for their new dance school though, and the ones I had tied with a ribbon)
Good luck!! Take lots of pics!!!! (my girls start their new classes this week and they are supa excited-except that they have the wear the same thing every week. The other classes allowed them more leeway in what they wore)
If you buy the tap shoes that tie with a ribbon, you can buy the flat elastic at the fabric store and cut a piece of it off and tie it in a knot to replace the ribbon. The reason to do this is because in some classes, they have to change their shoes and this makes it much easier for them to do without help. That is required at many dance studios here.
If you buy the tap shoes that tie with a ribbon, you can buy the flat elastic at the fabric store and cut a piece of it off and tie it in a knot to replace the ribbon. The reason to do this is because in some classes, they have to change their shoes and this makes it much easier for them to do without help. That is required at many dance studios here.
Good point-I might try their old tap shoes on and see if they fit ok and do this, and just return the others. I am sure this is exactly why they ask this-they do ballet, tap and tumbling in their classes.
I'm thread jacking to say I really hope I am having a girl so I can do the dance class thing
Unless you get one like mine that outright REFUSES to do dance classes.
Nooooooooooooooo
She's in gymnastics right now and she loves it. But, its not the same as dance. I just wish she wanted to wear the tutus and I can do her hair for dance recitals. *sigh*
__________________
Alexandra ~ Mommy to David (7 years), Natalie (5 years) and Diego (3 years) ~
