Where to buy Ballet & Tap shoes

[TwinPrincessMama]

I've got 2 girls age (almost) 4 going into ballet this year and I really want them to do ballet and tap but we need shoes. Tap shoes need to be black and ballet shoes need pre-sewn elastic. I bought ballet shoes at our mom's club consignment sale but they are way too big. Do ballet/tap shoes run in different sizes and where are the go to place for cheap shoes?

 

[disneymarie]

I was always able to buy them at Payless, both styles. There is so many in our area if one store did not have the size, I had them check the other stores.
The cost is far less then the dance studios. I have AAA and got a discount with the card.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

Yup. Payless! I've gotten ballet and tap shoes there.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

If your kids have narrow/wide feet get Bloch Dansoft brand. I have actually found them at dance stores cheaper than the Payless ones and they come in several widths. They vary $14 to $18 around where I live at dance stores.

http://www.blochworld.com/shop/p-174-dansoft.aspx

 

[BarbWB]

try www.discountdance.com if you know their sizes. Online purchases are dicey, though b/c dance shoe sizes are wacky. If you aren't sure of the sizes, at their age, Payless shoes are just fine and are probably cheapest. Walmart carries ballet shoes, too, but the ones I've seen are a little off in color.

 

[dvczerfs]

I've got 2 girls age (almost) 4 going into ballet this year and I really want them to do ballet and tap but we need shoes. Tap shoes need to be black and ballet shoes need pre-sewn elastic. I bought ballet shoes at our mom's club consignment sale but they are way too big. Do ballet/tap shoes run in different sizes and where are the go to place for cheap shoes?

i seen this thread and i had to laugh to myself. my dd just grad. from high school. she started dance when she was three and ended her 15 year stint this past june. she did jazz, ballet, lyrical and tap. she did pointe for a few years but didnt want to go on. we have done many comps. from new york to s.carolina. she loves tap and i paid $400.00 for her ben and miller tap shoes. she just started college and im saving myself about $8000.00 a year, the dif. between college tuition and dance. i was a dance dad and went to all comps, recital but one. i missed only one the entire time. i have to tell you i miss those days of the little tap shoes, little ballet shoes and the little dance bag with a disney princess on it. she enjoyed every step of the way. it made her the great young lady she is today. (not like the mess you see on tv with the dance moms.) we had a great time watching her and i have to say i miss it. she spent alot of time in the studios and now she is taking it in college. i just wanted to tell you and your little ones good luck, enjoy yourself and when its not fun anymore, its time to walk away. have fun!!!

 

[disneymarie]

i seen this thread and i had to laugh to myself. my dd just grad. from high school. she started dance when she was three and ended her 15 year stint this past june. she did jazz, ballet, lyrical and tap. she did pointe for a few years but didnt want to go on. we have done many comps. from new york to s.carolina. she loves tap and i paid $400.00 for her ben and miller tap shoes. she just started college and im saving myself about $8000.00 a year, the dif. between college tuition and dance. i was a dance dad and went to all comps, recital but one. i missed only one the entire time. i have to tell you i miss those days of the little tap shoes, little ballet shoes and the little dance bag with a disney princess on it. she enjoyed every step of the way. it made her the great young lady she is today. (not like the mess you see on tv with the dance moms.) we had a great time watching her and i have to say i miss it. she spent alot of time in the studios and now she is taking it in college. i just wanted to tell you and your little ones good luck, enjoy yourself and when its not fun anymore, its time to walk away. have fun!!!

Thank you for the memories and reminder how fast those days go by.
Oh the money for costumes, comp's..... the cute as a button little shy ones twirlling, and dancing, precious memories everyone!

 

[aladams2]

Totally agree w/ Payless. Especially with the BOGO!! Best deal ever!!!

 

[xCourxCorex]

Payless!

I actually teach 3-5 year old ballet/tap classes, and that is what I tell parents who ask about shoes. We order through a catalog if they want to get sized at our studio, or try Payless this time of year. At this age, they do not need any specific style or brand of shoe, and Payless has good deals, decent quality! Check online if your local store doesn't have any in-stock.

Good luck in your search and happy dancing to your little ones

 

[LuLuO]

We also bought Payless Tap and Ballet shoes and Target leotards. Actually I got her Ballet shoes and a little dance bag at a Payless store and her tap shoes are Payless brand but got them for $2 at Goodwill. The dance studio where I enrolled her doesn't have a brand preference for the little kids.

 

[figment3258]

Pay less but also check out a second hand shop they usually have tons of both good luck

 

[MaggieBailey]

I am a nanny to 2 girls who are both in 3 classes each this year - and I have seen the money add up in costumes and alllll those shoes as their feet grow, lol! We go to the dance shoe store, get them measured and then look for sales if there are none, we use discountdance.com !

 

[foltzy]

Payless. We've been buying DD's ballet and tap shoes there since she started at age 3 (She's now 6). Love when they have bogo. I tend to buy her shoes twice a year (Her feet grow).

 

[tink576]

You can get the cheep tap and ballet shoes at payless and sometimes walmart (at the very beginning of the season). But as they get older and have to get better qualty shoes (the tap shoes at payless have terrible sounds) I used discountdance. They have some of the best prices online for shoes.

 

[Jaime4004]

ebay... we usually buy them there and sell them back at the end of the season.. little feet grow too fast to spend a fortune.

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

Go to your local dance store, or Payless this way you can be assured that the shoes fit your daughters feet.

I however wouldn't buy dance shoes online unless you know maker, model, and size because each maker has different sizing for shoes. This will save you the headache of having to send orders back for a larger or smaller size.

 

[TwinPrincessMama]

This is why I love you people. Payless here I come!

 

[tinkercat]

Our dance studio requires a certain brand and color of shoe for the girls so they will all match. So, we just order through the store who does fittings on site at our studio. They are pretty reasonable price wise too.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

My DD is starting her 6th year of dance. We've always had a specific brand/type of shoe to purchase...same with leo's/tights. The sizing has always been pretty easy for me to figure out with online ordering, in all her years dancing, I've only had to send 2 pair back...1 pair ballet, 1 pair jazz. This year she is moving up to more advanced classes and we have to get a different type of tap shoe as well as lyrical, so we are getting fitted at the studio today.

I agree with the others since the studio is not specific in the brand of shoe, Payless will be a good option and you can get her sized. We always purchase from Discount Dance Supply, All About Dance or Just for Kix (unless we have to be sized like this year ).

I hope they have a great time in dance. Its been so much fun for my DD over the years.

 

[summerrluvv]

I was buying them at Payless, but then discovered the thrift store and Once Upon a Child have them for a fraction of the price. Once Upon a Child only takes things in excellent condition, so they have a lot of good ones there.