Dance "character" shoes-- cheaper options?

[Cindy B]

My daughter just got accepted into a theater program and she needs a pair of character shoes.

She usually wears an 8 or 8.5 ladies sneaker.

Where are some discount options? Reliable companies?

She never did dance so I don' tknow any dance companies locally.

 

[NJtoATL]

Try the companies:
Dance Distributors, Discount Dance Supply, and All About Dance

They are on line companies.

These are the one I use on a regular basis for myself. Good luck.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks. Is there anything I should know about sizing -- do they run small or big?

I know nothing about these kinds of shoes. What is a normal price for them?

 

[NJtoATL]

Usually the shoes are street shoe size. In the catalog it will state if you need to buy a shoe that is larger or smaller. Customer service is good with the companies.

I would suggest that after you buy the shoes take them to the local shoe repair shop for rubbing padding on the bottom. (The proper name escapes me right now.) It prevents slipping on tile or wood floors.

 

[leebee]

DD's are Capezio Jr. Footlights, without taps (style 550, I think?). These are a good shoe and will run $30-$40 (or at least they did the last time we bought them). DD wears hers for maybe 5 hours a week and has had one pair for 3 years (basically since her feet last changed sizes). We purchase through the same catalogs previously recommended by NJtoATL.

DD's "regular" character shoes do NOT have the rubber on them- she doesn't like that very much- but she had to have it put on her Rockettes shoes (they require it). She says her regular shoes aren't any slipperier than her Rockettes shoes and are easier to dance in. I would, however, recommend that the cobbler put a little L-shaped metal bracket between the heel and the sole, to keep the heel from bending off; it stabilizes this weak area. IF you take the shoes to the cobbler, be warned: When we had the rubber and bracket put on DD's Rockettes shoes, it was $50... more than I paid for the shoes themselves. Now, of course, she is wanting a pair of LaDuca's.... we are talking BIG BUCKS here ($300-ish??)

ETA: DD wears an 8 street shoe and an 8 in the Jr. Footlights (which have a 1.5" heel, forgot to mention)

 

[NYCDiane]

Just curious --- what are "character shoes"?? My daughter takes dance also: tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and I've never heard of "character shoes". I bought all her shoes at a local place, but I do know of a pretty good online place: www.dancewearsolutions.com They have just about anything you would need and their prices are reasonable.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Just curious --- what are "character shoes"?? My daughter takes dance also: tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and I've never heard of "character shoes". I bought all her shoes at a local place, but I do know of a pretty good online place: www.dancewearsolutions.com They have just about anything you would need and their prices are reasonable.

They are the heeled, Mary Jane styled tap shoes, minus the taps. They are a standard shoe (eg "any character").

 

[owensamo]

While you can find them for less online, if you've never bought them before, I'd recommend getting them at a local dance store where you can try them on. Any dance store in your area should have them - I'm sure the theater company can recommend somewhere to purchase them. That way you're not guessing at the size, and you know if it'll be right. Then, if you need a different color or need to size up later, you can always purchase online with more confidence.

 

[luvmy3]

My dd needed them for Theater summer camp so I just called the local dance supply stores in my area to find them. You could even try calling some local dane schools, they may have them or at least be ab;e to tell you who carries them. She wears an 8 ladies but I wanted her to try them on because I wasn't sure how they ran. They had a few different ones (same style) ranging in price, we went with the least expensive $35.

 

[CarolAnnB]

My daughter needed them for one dance number last year and her teacher told us to go to Payless. I think they were only around $25 but I found a coupon, etc., online and shipping to a local store was free. She only needed them for about a half hour a week and they were fine for that. If it is a more intense class you might want to go with a higher end shoe.

 

[mbf]

Try Capezio's online outlet store. Size availabilty can vary. Also, you may have some luck on Ebay. DannysWarehouse.com is another great source and again, they vary on what is available. If they don't have it on their website you can call and they will look in their store for you.

This is the link to the Character shoe section of the Capezio outlet:

http://www.dancefactoryoutlet.com/store/footwear/character/c01DFTW-c01CHAR-p1.html

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't know where you live, but here in NJ, I got dd15 a $4 pair of character shoes in the sale bin at the Capezio outlet in Wayne. Check out local dancewear stores.

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

I would recommend trying the shoes on at a store in several brands (I love the Leo's myself, but I have a wide vamp.) Find one or two you like and then try Ebay. Many kids buy a pair of shoes for one show or two years in choir and then never use them again. They are usually in great condition, and your daughter has a common enough size.

 

[ceecee]

We took the taps off my DD's tap shoes and then bought new tap shoes at our local dance store, since she uses them more. They only cost $26.00 without the taps and you can get them fitted at a dance store.

 

[princessmom29]

WE use the capezio Jr footlights. They run about a size small, so I owuld order up a size. Our girls don't like the rubber on the bottom either. They useually rough up the leather on the bottom with a car key or something similar to get a little traction. Do yourself and your DD a favor and spend a little more for quality shoes. It is way too easy to turn and ankle dancing on cheap heels with no support.

 

[PinballFamily]

We use Amazon! Have several pairs of different Capezio character shoes - most run small, small, small - you'll have to read the reviews to see how small. I am and have been a 7.5 shoe size forever - and need the 8.5 in all the Capezios (one pair is actually even a 9).

 

[englishteacha]

I got mine at Payless. They're the Kimberly Mary Janes. They were around $20. They're the right height for theater and for dancing.

 

[leebee]

You know what? I just had DD check the size of her character shoes and they ARE a size larger than her street shoes... tap shoes also. Oh well, mom doesn't necessarily know everything!

 

[mjantz]

I would recommend trying the shoes on at a store in several brands (I love the Leo's myself, but I have a wide vamp.) Find one or two you like and then try Ebay. Many kids buy a pair of shoes for one show or two years in choir and then never use them again. They are usually in great condition, and your daughter has a common enough size.

Don't do this. Its not fair IMO to your local dance store. FWIW, many stores are now charging restocking fees or try-on fees because so many people were just coming in & trying on & then hitting up eBay.

I love Capezio character shoes. They're good quality & last forever.