How to choose your pointe shoes?
THE GUIDE
Drawing on more than 70 years of expertise alongside dance professionals, Maison Repetto offers a range of ballet shoes designed to meet the needs of every dancer.
This guide will help you find the pair best suited to your level and foot shape, with explanations
that are clear and precise, so you can find your ideal pair.
Discover our key tips
The pointe shoe is the most technical, but also the most magical, product in the world of dance. For a first pair of pointe shoes, we recommend having a fitting in store with our dance experts.
The choice of a pointe shoe depends first on your level of practice and your foot shape. A well-suited pointe shoe should support you in your work, while ensuring comfort and safety.
• BEGINNER
A flexible full sole, a low vamp and a snug heel are recommended to support the foot when first going up on pointe.
Recommended model: Julieta, Carlotta, Anna
• INTERMEDIATE
A ¾ sole and a medium vamp, making it easier to go up on pointe for feet that have already built some strength.
Recommended models: Carlotta, Alicia, Anna
• ADVANCED
A full sole and a high vamp, to properly support the foot when going up on pointe.
Recommended models: Carlotta, Alicia
THE SOLE
It comes in different strengths and shapes: from very soft to very hard, ¾ or full. The choice depends on the dancer's level and the strength of their foot.
• Soft (S): makes it easier to go up on pointe, ideal for beginners or feet with less strength.
• Medium (M): of intermediate strength, it supports more experienced feet.
• Hard (H): offers support suited to dancers with a strong instep who are looking for a shoe that lasts over time.
THE BOX
This is the shape of the front part of the shoe.
It can be narrow (N), medium (M), wide (L) or extra wide (XL), and is
chosen according to the shape of the foot.
A slender foot will prefer a narrow box (N), while a wider foot will be more comfortable in a wide or extra-wide box.
Our Collection of Pointe Shoes
Creations designed to support movement with accuracy and grace.
JULIETA
The Julieta is a beginner pointe shoe designed for the first years of pointe work. Its flexible sole and low vamp make it easier to go up on pointe. Its shape is specially designed with more enveloping sides and heel for better support of the foot, both flat and on pointe.
Available in three widths:
narrow (N), medium (M) and wide (L).
ALICIA
The Alicia pointe shoe is designed to meet the needs of dancers who already have a few years of practice. Its ¾ sole makes it easier to go up on pointe and to position the foot correctly over the box
Available in medium (M)
and wide (L) widths, with two sole strengths: medium (M) or hard (H).
ANNA
Designed for slender feet, the Anna pointe shoe supports intermediate and advanced beginner dancers. The heel is fitted at the back for good support of the shoe on the foot, and the front of the shoe is tapered to lengthen the line of the foot.
Available in narrow (N),
medium (M) and wide (L) widths, with a soft (S), medium (M) or hard (H) sole.
JULIETA
The Julieta is a beginner pointe shoe designed for the first years of pointe work. Its flexible sole and low vamp make it easier to go up on pointe. Its shape is specially designed with more enveloping sides and heel for better support of the foot, both flat and on pointe.
Available in three widths:
narrow (N), medium (M) and wide (L).
ALICIA
The Alicia pointe shoe is designed to meet the needs of dancers who already have a few years of practice. Its ¾ sole makes it easier to go up on pointe and to position the foot correctly over the box
Available in medium (M)
and wide (L) widths, with two sole strengths: medium (M) or hard (H).
ANNA
Designed for slender feet, the Anna pointe shoe supports intermediate and advanced beginner dancers. The heel is fitted at the back for good support of the shoe on the foot, and the front of the shoe is tapered to lengthen the line of the foot.
Available in narrow (N),
medium (M) and wide (L) widths, with a soft (S), medium (M) or hard (H) sole.
CARLOTTA
The "Carlotta" is inspired by Repetto's made-to-measure pointe shoe. It benefits from technological advances developed in close collaboration with the University of Compiègne. With its high vamp and reinforced wings, it brings both elegance and comfort. Thanks to its many options, La Carlotta suits every level and adapts to every foot shape.
Available in four widths:
narrow (N), medium (M), wide (L) or extra wide (XL), and three sole
strengths: soft (S), medium (M) or hard (H).
GAMBA
The G93 and G97 are working pointe shoes for intermediate and advanced dancers. The wide, square platform makes balancing on pointe easier, and the "V" vamp along with the high heel provide better support for the foot.
Available in medium (M),
wide (L) and extra wide (XL) widths, with a medium (M) or hard (H) sole.
CARLOTTA
The "Carlotta" is inspired by Repetto's made-to-measure pointe shoe. It benefits from technological advances developed in close collaboration with the University of Compiègne. With its high vamp and reinforced wings, it brings both elegance and comfort. Thanks to its many options, La Carlotta suits every level and adapts to every foot shape.
Available in four widths:
narrow (N), medium (M), wide (L) or extra wide (XL), and three sole
strengths: soft (S), medium (M) or hard (H).
GAMBA
The G93 and G97 are working pointe shoes for intermediate and advanced dancers. The wide, square platform makes balancing on pointe easier, and the "V" vamp along with the high heel provide better support for the foot.
Available in medium (M),
wide (L) and extra wide (XL) widths, with a medium (M) or hard (H) sole.
SEWING ELASTICS AND RIBBONS
Most Repetto pointe shoes (Julieta, Alicia, Anna) are sold with the cotton ribbons already sewn on. The other pointe shoes (Carlotta and Gamba) come with a set of satin ribbons. For sewing, we recommend folding the back of the shoe and sewing the ribbons at the fold.
For better support of the shoe on the foot, we recommend sewing on elastics:
• Around the ankle for beginners
• Crossed over the instep for advanced dancers
USING TOE PADS
For extra comfort, you can use toe pads to cushion the pressure of the shoe on the toes.
CARING FOR YOUR POINTE SHOES
We recommend letting your pointe shoes air dry between classes, so that they do not wear out too quickly. To extend the life of your pointe shoes, you can varnish the inside of the box and the sole with a hardening varnish.
Discover our collections
For any questions, we invite you to contact our customer service or visit one of our boutiques, where our staff will be happy to help you and inform you about our services.
