Things To Take Into Consideration -
Overall Basic Shape:
I will give examples from classical works where possible (**examples were extremely difficult to find on .org or .edu websites, so I only used examples for basic foot shapes)! I think that you'll be able to click through and read more about the sources of these photos as well if you'd like to learn more about the pieces. I think it's a fun way to see the shapes. If you'd like to send in your examples, please feel free and I'll add them.
Type One - The "Greek Foot"
In this type the second toe is longer than the first.
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| http://www.chatsworth.org/attractions-and-events/art-archives/art-and-archives-collections/collection/sculpture/roman-foot-wearing-a-sandal |
**This foot example has long toes but they also have a slight taper. I would suggest a slightly tapered shoe and a pad to even out the big toe and next toe over. A lot of ballerinas with Greek feet use makeup sponges to even out their toes. **
Type Two - The "Peasant" or "Giselle" Foot
In this type the first two or three (sometimes even four/all five) toes are the same general length.
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| https://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/egypt/cairo/mk.html |
**This foot example has very square feet! They need a very square box shape to accommodate their toes. If the foot is too square and you try to wear a too tapered shoe it forces the big toe over too far and promotes bunions. **
Type Three - "The Egyptian Foot"
In this type the first toe is the longest and the toes taper down from that first length.
**In my quest for ancient statuary examples, I noted that most Egyptian statues do in fact have peasant feet (although the example below is Egyptian and also maybe the best example of a low [super low] profile foot).
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| http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/78060/Relief_of_Sandaled_Feet_of_a_Royal_Woman |
** This toe configuration needs a tapered shoe (pending how much taper their toes have). Although, I have seen some girls with tapered toes even out their second and third toes with padding and prefer a square box. Depending on comfort, any toe shape can use a square box, if they even out their toe length with padding. I personally prefer the tapered pointe shoes with this toe configuration, because I do not slide or sink. **
Toe Length:
Short Toes
Medium Toes
Long Toes
** You can have all generally long/short/medium toes or maybe you have two long and the rest medium, or maybe you have a long big toe but short square remaining toes. There are so many variations to consider. **
Arch Height:
Low Arch
Medium Arch
High Arch
**Arch height can sometimes determine foot flexibility and ankle strength, A few people who have high arches I know have very weak ankles and high foot flexibility. A lot of people I've seen with low arches have strong ankles and poor foot flexibility. This I think may be the case generally, but there are definitely exceptions! **
Crown Fullness Aka: Foot Fullness
Low Profile
Medium Profile
Full/High Profile
** The fullness of the crown is determined by how tall/full the foot is just below the arch and above the metatarsal area. This fullness determines how low the profile of the box can be. If the profile of the shoe is too low the foot will look pinched in the shoe. If the profile is too high, the foot can slide down too far into the shoe and not be supported. Keep in mind the profile will change if you break in your box by stepping on them. **
Metatarsal Width and Compressability:
Narrow Width - No Compressablity
Narrow Width - Compressable
Medium Width - No Compressability
Medium Width - Compressable
Wide Width - No Compressability
Wide Width - Compressable
High Compressability - Any Width
**Width and compressability are pretty straight forward and help determine the width needed in the shoe. Note - compressible feet need a narrower shoe, but not so narrow that it promotes corns or is painful on flat, however it needs to be tight enough to support the foot in releve and prevent sinking **
Heel Type:
Narrow Heel
Regular Heel
Wide Heel
**Some shoes give you an option for heel width, but if a shoes does not, heel height will come into play.**
Haglund's Deformity:
This is a heel that has a slight protrusion off the back of the heel (kind of like a chicken talon - haha). If you have this heel type (which I do, I find you can get any regular heel and if it is painful, remove the drawstring/find a pair of pointes that do not have a drawstring, and if still painful, use a small dab of water on the heel where the spur hits). Foot Strength:
Low
Medium
Strong
Extra Strong
**Foot strength determines the shank strength and sometimes vamp height you'll need.**
Flexibility:
Low
Medium
High
** Flexibility will also be a determining factor for vamp length and shank strength.**
Bunions
None
Slight Angling of Big Toe
** When you first see bunions appearing, you can tape your toe straight when wearing pointe shoes and try a less tapered shoe to see if that helps. Contact your physician if pain persists and to find out what to do to help prevent bunions from fully forming.**
Only Bumps (either on side of big toe or on pinky - or both)
** I have these! I don't note any curvature of the toe, but I think this is still technically considered a "bunion". This is not to be confused with callous' on the side of the big toe.**
Curved Big Toe/Prominent
** Real deal bunions. Nothing to be ashamed about! However, these can be painful. After consulting your physician, they may recommend a corrective sort of elasticized brace which I hear helps with the pain. Does anyone here have experience with bunions? Any helpful hints?**
Nail Preference:
Extra Short
Short
Medium
Long
** I find it most practical to have short (but not bloody short) toenails for pointe work. **
Other Factors To Take Into Consideration:
Demi Pointe
Take the demi pointe into consideration when going to purchase a pair of pointe shoes. Does your demi point hit the vamp and cause pain? Does the shoe need to be extra pliable for an adagio based performance? Because you can't really do much if any roll through when trying on pointe shoes in some stores, this is mostly trial and error for how the roll through will affect your dancing.
Spring
Sometimes you need less of a roll through type of box/vamp (stiff box/vamp) and need a shoe that springs to pointe. These are more for allegro based ballets. Great for jumping, jumping on pointe and turns.
Performance Shoe vs Classroom Shoe
Lastly, you need to decide if you're going to use the same shoes for performance and class. When I was just starting performing on pointe, I would use the pointe shoes in class until they were worn in and then save them for a performance. This was a reliable way to know how my shoes would react and I knew they'd be exactly worn in for performing. As my feet got stronger, I decided that I would run only theater dress rehearsal in my performance shoes, but they would be the same brand & version of shoes I wore to class. As I became more advanced, I used two versions of the same shoe for class (harder shank) and performance (lower sides, softer shank). This is purely individual choice! Do you wear the same shoes for performance and class?
Ok, now that we've gone over the basics, let's look at some examples.
When I was first put into pointe shoes, I was given a very square shoe (Capezio Glisse - I'll do separate posts for pointe shoe reviews), and although my foot looks pretty square, it is in fact quite tapered. If you're just looking at the front view/ top view of your foot, you may not get the right shape.
From first position, you'll be able to tell how high your arches are and how full your crown is. My feet need a medium or high crown shoe. My arches are average height. The arch height can be easily determined by the shape of your foot print as well.
Here's an example of my feet in a shoe with too low a profile (right) and a better fit in profile (left). Also, note that due to my entire body being easily compressed (this is why I can wear a 17" corset), my ribbons ALWAYS look like they are tied on waaaaaaay too tight (if they are tied looser, they fall off, and they do not feel too tight at this tightness). I've had someone tell me to loosen my ribbons during an audition and my pointe shoe feel off during turns. Anyway, I've found adding elastic to the back area of the ribbon really helps! The shoe on the left has the ribbon with added elastic and shoe at right has plain ribbon.
Next, look at your demi pointe. Here you can look at how your arches act in releve, and also where your toes bend. The bend will help you decide on vamp height. I've always liked a low vamp, but I'm learning that a high vamp actually works quite well on my feet. I have short toes, but my big toe is actually quite long.
Another way to assess arch height and toe length is by tendu-ing to second. I need to work on that arch! Hahaha. Definitely do a tendu while trying on pointe shoes so you can determine if the shank will work with your arch (keeping in mind it will wear in), if the vamp is restricting your foot, and if the box is pinching/too hard/too soft.
You can tell I have Haglund's Deformity in this view. Right now it's actually not bad, but when it's flared up it's very visible and quite painful. If you have this heel type, be sure your pointe shoes don't hit this area painfully. You can also see how full my feet are in this side view!
How high is your outer arch? My foot has no arch on the outside.
Another thing to consider: do your feet tend to roll forward or backward? I do tend to walk and roll to the outside/back of my feet. Be sure that the shank doesn't fall to a side when getting fitted. If the shank is sitting a little far forward and your foot tends to roll back, I find it extremely hard to balance on flat in center. I would venture to guess that the same is true for people whose feet roll forward and their shank sits too far to the back of their foot too. <-- Does this make any sense? :)
View from above while flat: toe type. Greek/Egyptian/Peasant? I have Egyptian feet.
Compress-ability Test: Do your feet have a lot of give side to side? If they do, like mine, you will need a narrower shoe than it would appear. When doing this test you should feel no pain when compressing your feet. If you experience pain, you need to compress your feet less until you do not feel pain.
Pointe your feet: your foot shape may become more or less tapered when your foot is pointed. Mine become more tapered. This is a factor to take into consideration when you are looking at pointe shoe box types. If you have a square foot on flat but tapered feet when pointed try on both slightly tapered and square pointe shoes and see which type feels more comfortable!
Look at your feet with one pointe shoe on and one off. Note the shape of your foot on pointe. Your box type should usually mimic this shape.
Lastly, when on pointe, does your box look streamlined? Your toes should not be disrupting the line in a new pointe shoe. If the box looks distorted try changing the width of the shoe. How is your platform? Are you able to get onto your box? Are you being pulled back/forward? If you are not right on your box, assess the shank strength/vamp height. How do they feel? Are they comfortable? Can you feel the floor, but not be in pain? If the pointe shoes are extremely painful when you're trying them on, they're probably going to be too difficult to work with in class. Remember pointe shoes are for articulation and furthering of lines. They shouldn't be so painful that pain is all you can think about while your dancing. If it is, try changing the shoe or the padding. Sometimes less is more!
Good luck everyone!
