Dance Clothes

[whtyger97]

My niece (9) is taking dance lessons. She need black leotards and pink tights for class. Also ballet slippers and tap shoes.

Problem is she's getting to big for the stuff we can find local at target and such. Does anyone have suggestions for places to get dance stuff, preferably cheap.

She wears a size 7 shoe. I'm not sure on the leotard, I think an adult small.

 

[pixiepower1971]

My niece (9) is taking dance lessons. She need black leotards and pink tights for class. Also ballet slippers and tap shoes.

Problem is she's getting to big for the stuff we can find local at target and such. Does anyone have suggestions for places to get dance stuff, preferably cheap.

She wears a size 7 shoe. I'm not sure on the leotard, I think an adult small.

www.discountdance.com

You can also try ebay. I have gotten some great deals online.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Does her dance studio sell items? I know I can find a good selection at DD's studio. We also have another local dance shop to go to if need be.

I know their are many online stores, but I would not be sure about shoe sizes. I know DD's dance shoes (ballet, Pointe, and lyrical) are all different sizes and very different than her regular shoe size (her ballet shoe is 2 sizes up for instance, can vary by brand though).

 

[pixiepower1971]

Does her dance studio sell items? I know I can find a good selection at DD's studio. We also have another local dance shop to go to if need be.

I know their are many online stores, but I would not be sure about shoe sizes. I know DD's dance shoes (ballet, Pointe, and lyrical) are all different sizes and very different than her regular shoe size (her ballet shoe is 2 sizes up for instance, can vary by brand though).

I have to agree on the shoe sizing. Dance shoe sizes vay from brand to brand. They are actually best fit by someone at a dance store. Once you know their sizes and preferred brands, you can easily order replacements from online/catalog dance supply places. My girls are very particular about dance shoes and have very strong opinions on the ones they like. Every girl in different!

 

[CraftyMouse]

I can second the recommendation for www.discountdance.com

I also agree that shoes should be fit at a dancewear store. My DD takes classes in all dance disciplines. Her shoes vary from a 4 for ballet to a 7 1/2 for Tap. She normally wears a 6 1/2 shoe. The shoes sizes vary so greatly that you just may end up spending more money to ship shoes back and get the proper size than you would paying the slightly higher prices at a dancewear store. If your studio does not sell dancewear and shoes you could ask for dancewear store recommendations there.

 

[luvflorida]

Another vote for www.discountdance.com. They have an excellent selection of dancewear and accessories, and they're very good about shipping items out quickly and making exchanges if you have a problem with an item. Also, check around at local dance studios. Some of them carry an assortment of clothes and shoes. The best place to get dancewear, especially shoes, is at a dance supply store. They are usually staffed by people who know dance and know how to fit shoes properly. Good luck!

 

[janette]

I've used www.allaboutdance.com and the www.discountdance.com but I agree about the shoes. The web sites have pretty good fit charts but it's best if she can try them on.

 

[Hannathy]

Another discount dance user, also check Ebay esp. for the leotards. I bought my DD some nice ones last year for $5. a piece. Try Walmart for the shoes. My DD has wide feet and Walmart's always fit her best, even better than the Dance store ordering wide. Many Dance studios have a resale box for shoes, ask where she takes this helps everyone.

 

[froglady]

Welcome to the wonderful world of dance shoes. I also agree that you're going to have to bite the bullet on the shoes, and actually have them fitted. This is very important, ESPECIALLY with pointe shoes! Poor fitting shoes can cause life long problems.

Even with fitting, DD would sometimes only wear a pair once, then say they're uncomfortable, and put them aside. You can't really be sure until you've danced in them, and even an old favorite can become "wrong" once your foot grows, you develop bunions and calluses (which your DD WILL if she dances for very long) or your weight changes.

Add in costumes, dance and audition fees, etc and it becomes a huge financial drain...but not as bad as some activities.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

This is very important, ESPECIALLY with pointe shoes! Poor fitting shoes can cause life long problems.

With first Pointe shoes, DD's teacher actually traces each girls foot and a wide range of Pointe shoes are sent to her for each girl. Then she works with each girl to get the proper fit.

Regular Ballet shoes really do vary. My DD prefers the split sole.

 

[cepmom]

I going with the majority and say get her fitted for shoes at a dance store (or studio) My DD16 can order shoes from Discount Dance because she is done growing and knows which shoes she likes and the right size to get. Last year I was able to get DD9 her jazz, tap and ballet shoes online at discount dance and the size was perfect.

This year I went online and ordered her the size that was indicated on the sizing chart. When the shoes arrived they were way too small. I don't know if they changed the sizing chart,but it was definately not accurate. I sent them back and went to a local dance supply store to have her fitted instead. DD6 can still wear her sisters used shoes or I can get them at Payless, thanks goodness! When you have three that dance, all these shoes, costumes,competitions etc can add up to quite a bit of $$$!

 

[VioltePrincess]

my 14 year old has been dancing since she was 2. I always bought her shoes locally -- there are several dancewear stores in hte area.

she's on the high school dance team this year, and while most of the costuming will be ordered and paid for by the school (out of the "uniform" budget), the advisor asked each girl to buy a specific leotard and a specific pair of sneakers from www.discountdance.com. the leotard was inexpensive and I dont' ahve a problem with it. the problem I had with the sneakers -- you don't know how they will fit. my dd wears a size 8 shoe and wound up with a 9 1/2 in this sneaker, which actually fits.

I also had a problem with shipment -- they had to send my order twice, because the first time they had a computer glitch and sent my package to another customer's address.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Another discount dance user, also check Ebay esp. for the leotards. I bought my DD some nice ones last year for $5. a piece. Try Walmart for the shoes. My DD has wide feet and Walmart's always fit her best, even better than the Dance store ordering wide. Many Dance studios have a resale box for shoes, ask where she takes this helps everyone.

Ask at you dance studio if WalMart/Payless shoes are allowed. Many studios have started to not allow them. Especially the tap shoes.

There are many, many varieties of dance shoes available. All prices, etc.
My DD10 has a wide foot and swears by Sansha canvas ballet shoes(split sole) They run me about $15 a pair(sometimes even less)

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Another www.discountdance.com fan here! And I also agree about getting her shoes fitted at a local dance supply store. I don't even use the one right by our studio unless a teacher requires it (one did this year). I go to one about 30 minutes away, but they have been inthe business of dance shoes for over 30 years. They haven't steered me wrong yet.

As far as the Payless shoes go, here is a true story: at the beginning of last year (Aug 2005), I went to my favorite dance shoe store and got my daughter fitted for ballet shoes. I spent $25 to $30 for the shoes (can't remember exact amount), and they lasted the entire season. One of the girls in my DD's group had the Payless ballet shoes (~$15 a pair). DD's friend went through 3 pairs of shoes through the course of the season, and she didn't outgrow them. They flat wore out. I ended up spending less over the course of the year by going with the higher quality shoe. That family went to my shoe place for shoes this season! Don't get me wrong; I like Payless. My DD2 (almost 5) has Payless Dance shoes. But DD1 (almost 8) dances in the competative/performance companies so we need the bette quality stuff.

 

[tiggger1]

another Discount dance users and I love ebay....