XP: Sizing of tap/ballet shoes?

KelliLynee

XP: I'm either enrolling my 3 year old in a gymnastics class or combo gymnastics/intro to dance class. If I do the intro to dance, I need to buy tap shoes and ballet slippers. I have the opportunity to get shoes from a consignment sale, but I can't go myself (a friend is going and would be able to get some for me). DD is currently wearing a size 8 shoe, but every brand is different and I really want to make sure the sizing is correct. Can any dance moms provide input on what sizing is like for tap shoes or ballet slippers. Are they true to size when compared to other shoes? should they fit snugly, or normal? I didnt dance growing up so I don't know these things!

I know it would be best to go and have her try them on, but we are on a super tight budget right now AND I'm going to have a baby very soon and just dont want to deal with taking a toddler to a huge consignment sale : ) I will if I have to, though.

Thanks ladies.

rebus82

My son just finished a summer combo ballet/tap class and had to have both pairs of shoes.

He is in size 8s for regular shoes and ended up with size 8 tap shoes and 7.5 ballet slippers because he has such wide feet and the studio didn't have any wide sizes. I think in the slippers it's better to go snug than loose, but my son also wore regular socks rather than tights so that made them tighter than they would have been with tights/barefoot (they also stretch out over time). He has really sweaty feet so barefoot wasn't an option, and putting a little boy in sparkly pink tights wasn't really an option either. 

So, in my limited experience, I'd say go with the 8s as long as those are comfortable. You can always put on some socks if they're still too loose with tights. 

gimmietimmies

You really do need to try the shoes on. Dd2 us going into her fifth year of dance, I've never gotten away without trying on a few pairs. She has Capezio tap shoes, they run try to size. Her ballet slippers are Capezio as well, we usually have to go a size down. See if the studio will have consigned shoes on hand, ours does (if you can't make the sale). Wearing shoes that don't fit properly will make learning the steps awkward, especially if the heels are flipping off; wearing socks isn't a great idea. It may not be allowed for girls, if tights are in the dress code.

CareBear0607

DD wears an 8.5 shoe right now.  The brand of ballet shoes we have don't come in 1/2 sizes.  She has a size 9 ballet shoe and a 8.5 tap shoe (wears tights during class).

ldcoffel

Check with the studio and see if they have shoes to try on, buy, or borrow. DD was at a place where they let the little girls borrow shoes because they grow so fast, and they are just trying out the classes to see if they like it still.