We’ve compiled our top shoe choices for dancers to wear to class and on stage!
BALLET SHOES
DISCOVERY BALLET DANCERS: Our top choice for ballet dancers ages 2-6 are these pink leather Stelle ballet shoes with no drawstrings. In our experience, they don’t always fit comfortably on our friends with squishy feet, so we’ve linked a drawstring option below!
DISCOVERY BALLET DANCERS: If the drawstring-free Stelle shoe won’t work for your 2-6 year old dancer, then we recommend the pink leather Capezio Daisy ballet shoe with adjustable drawstrings. Click HERE to learn how to prepare your dancer’s drawstring ballet shoes for their first class!
BOYS OF ALL LEVELS: We recommend black canvas ballet flats.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND DEDICATED BALLET DANCERS: For our ages 7 and up Developmental Dancers and Dedicated Dancers, we prefer a canvas split-sole ballet flat in the same shade as the dancer’s performance tights. Our light to medium skin-toned dancers wear pink tight and pink ballet shoes. Our darker-skin-toned dancers have the option of wearing tan or mocha-colored ballet shoes and tights to match their skin tone.
JAZZ SHOES
ALL JAZZ DANCERS: Our top choice for jazz dancers are these tan slip-on leather jazz shoes with elastic side panels.
Children’s sizes:
Adult sizes:
TAP SHOES
DISCOVERY TAP DANCERS: Our top choice for tap dancers ages 7 and under are these black velcro strap tap shoes. You can also find similar styles with elastic straps and ribbon ties, but nothing beats the ease of adjustable velcro for little hands and squishy feet!
Children’s sizes:
DEVELOPMENTAL AND DEDICATED TAP DANCERS: Our top choice for tap dancers ages 8 and up are these lace-up black tap shoes. Of course, if the tie laces are going to be a struggle for your dancer, the velcro tap shoes above are just fine too!
HIP HOP SHOES
ALL HIP HOP DANCERS: Our top choice for hip hop dancers are black converse-style low top sneakers for the classroom and the stage. Our favorite hack for dealing with the converse-style shoe laces are these white elastic no-tie laces that allow dancers to slip their hip hop shoes on and off with ease!
Children’s sizes:
Adult sizes:
LYRICAL AND CONTEMPORARY SHOES
LYRICAL AND CONTEMPORARY DANCERS: Our top choice for these classes is BARE FEET! However, some dancers are more comfortable in shoes either in class or on the stage. In that case, we recommend the canvas Pirouette shoes, also known as “half-soles,” in the shade that closest matches your skin tone.
Children’s sizes:
Adult sizes:
