As the name suggests, pointe shoes are worn by ballet dancers to appear light weight and flying like stance. In the history of ballet dancing, it started with the foundation of Royal Academy Of Dance in 1681.
By the time of the French revolution, the tradition underwent lot of changes including wearing non-heeled ballet shoes from the heeled ones worn in the 17th century. Ballet shoes are a modification of the early shoe types. They are ‘modified satin slippers’ with the front end of the shoe pointed but very much comfortable and it actually enhances the dance.
The lifetime of ballet pointe shoes depends on many factors such as the kind of material and thickness which makes the shoe- they can be made with plastic, burlap, leather or cardstock. Once the shank weakens or loses its hardness, they are rendered useless. Only experts can create perfect ballet pointe shoes.
The exterior fabric of the ballet pointe shoes erodes with passage of time, which make outer look unprofessional. The shoe loses its position and stresses if the dancer uses improper dancing technique. Using aggressive dancing steps shortens the life of the shoes.
The shoes wear and tear faster if the weight of the dancer puts pressure on the shoe stresses. Also, if the shoes do not fit well, it decreases the shelf life of the shoes. Dancing on rough surfaces degenerates the fabric of the ballet shoes.
The cost of ballet shoes varies between $60 and $100. Ideally, a student should consult the dance academy to suggest ballet shoes shops and it is necessary to buy them personally rather than sending anyone else to do it. The shoes must fit your feet perfectly and make you feel comfortable while dancing. In conclusion, this kind of shoes would surely help in ballet dancing.