Talk:Pointe shoe

Old comments
this page needs editing, these images could be used here





the source files have been used with permissson

Ohka- 14:46, 3 Jul 2004 (UTC)


 * These are great diagrams! Please include them in the article!--Dia^ (talk) 21:52, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Removing citation needed tag

 * "The first dancers to rise up on their toes during this period did so the with help of an invention by Charles Didelot in 1795[citation needed]."

This fact is from the book shown at the bottom of the page, as are most of the facts in the history section. Inline citations every few sentences to the same resource would be unnecessary clutter, so I'm going to remove the fact. --Keitei (talk) 07:41, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

The following external links were all to shopping sites: I deleted them.

NPOV
The sections advising dancers not to modify their pointe shoes seems NPOV to me and non-encyclopedic, and really, as someone vaguely interested in the shoes - I came here wanting to know what they are made of, how long they last, that sort of thing, it seemed odd to get a lengthy lecture from an unknown person nagging me not to ruin my non-existent dance shoes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.30.91.171 (talk) 16:58, 7 March 2008 (UTC)


 * Pointe Shoes - Tips & Tricks


 * Why Gillian Murphy (Principal, American Ballet Theatre) loves and wears Gaynor Minden pointe shoes


 * Point Shoes

pointe shoe modifications
Though not a professional dancer by any means I take ballet class three to six times a week and have seen dancers from New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre "modify" (I would say customize) their shoes extensively. These are, of course, working professionals and presumably know what they're doing (there are a few lucky individuals who just pull on their shoes, but these are few and far between.) It is probably best for ballet students to have a competent pointe shoe fitter help them find the right shoe and make only such modifications as the fitter recommends. I have, however, no opinion as to whether this sort of advice belongs in the article or not. Robert Greer (talk) 19:10, 7 March 2008 (UTC)


 * IMHO, advice about fitting shoes belongs in wikihow. If someone feels compelled to direct WP readers to such howto information, perhaps they can add an appropriate, non-commercial link under External links. Speaking of external links, most of this article's external links have been removed as they are blatantly commercial. The few remaining exceptions still have quite a bit of commercial slant, but they do provide a bit of useful information that could be justifiably incorporated into the article. Hopefully, that will happen and the links can then be severed. Lambtron (talk) 20:28, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

please cite reference
On second thought, please cite reference(s) for the following from the article: ''This variety of shoes allows dancers to find a perfect pair. There are many incorrect ways of breaking in pointe shoes, such as pounding the shoes against cement, hitting them with blunt objects, wetting the box then wearing them to class and bending them on door frames. Even ten years ago, the selection of shoes was limited, and many dancers were forced to independently "customize" their pointe shoes to avoid injury. Now it is not necessary. Dancers should NOT do the above mentioned techniques, nor any other technique. If a dancer is fit by a professional, the shoes should mold to the fit and have the correct shank without any manipulation. If, in a special case, a shoe needs to be "shanked," it is advisable to let a professional cobbler or a pointe shoe fitter handle any changes to the shoe. Wetting the shoe or bending it in a door frame simply ruins the shoes and shortens the life span. In short, a dancer should be properly trained so that she knows how to dance correctly en pointe. If the dancer is using the correct technique and muscle support, the shoes should last ten to twenty hours en pointe. If the dancer is breaking the shank too far down, or the box is going soft, it is often the sign of either a weak dancer or a poorly fitted shoe. Please do not try to do pointe if you are not properly trained to do so, as it can leave permanent damage to your feet and ancles! [sic] In the absence of a citation this really is editorialization and however well-intended (and however true) it may be probably doesn't'' belong on Wikipedia. Robert Greer (talk) 15:55, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

thank you
Thank you for providing references! Robert Greer (talk) 15:14, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

Complete rewrite
I spent several days organizing and rewriting this article, and shooting photos to insert. In the process, I may have eliminated statements that seemed dubious (and had no supporting references), but may be perfectly valid. Also, I hope I haven't offended anyone by changing out images in my efforts to employ images that more directly address the subject matter. Lambtron (talk) 02:30, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

Pointe Shoe Life
The life of a pointe shoe depends on how reliant the dancer is upon the shank and box, and I don't think it should be averaged. My pointe shoes usually last one or two seasons, through classes, rehearsals, and performances, while other dancers I know can kill shoes in one class. As the girls get older, the shoes will usually last longer. First time pointe shoes are very unpredictable, because some dancers think you should rely completely on the shoe, while others rely on their legs and feet almost totally. Again, it's hard to average the life of a pointe shoe, and I don't think it should be averaged.

The Point shoe makes ballet dancers legs look more muscular and they make dancing look so easy. They look like they are flying. BUt it accually takes a lot of time and effort. Before they wear the shoe they have to crack it so it is flexible but you can not crack it to mush or it will snap. You have to practise and Practise until you can get ove on to the block of the shoe which is the bit you stand on. Some point shoes you have blow dry then put in the fridge and do all types of things to it. If you want to be on point shoes you have to have strong feet. If you go to the dance school: Robyn Hick School of dance, Dance Theater of broward or parkland, they can teach you all types of things and they have lovely teachers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 165.228.93.184 (talk) 10:40, 20 October 2009 (UTC)

Box
There is a good description of all the pieces that compose pointe shoes but the 'box'. And it seems to me, that that is the most important part of it. Could maybe someone amend the article? Thanks in advance. when you are on pointe you cannot use the box for support. You have to use your thighs and muscles to be on pointe--talk) 21:50, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Health problems and feet deformation induced by pointe shoes
The article is completely silent on a well known issue related to the pointe techniques made possible by pointe shoes. A competent person should add this information: the article, as it is, misses core information important for potentially vulnerable people interested in the subject (kids). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.22.73.28 (talk) 21:34, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Writing 3225G 2023
— Assignment last updated by ElsieSheppard (talk) 16:14, 21 January 2023 (UTC)