Mitcham, my favourite dance destination for ballet pointe shoes, leotards and tutus
Hey fellow ballerinas, This blog post is a little different from my usual fashion and beauty picks, today we're diving into the heart of ballet – my favourite subject of course - and the very essence of every dancer's heart - that special Mitcham boutique. The one with all the ballet shoes and tutus.
We've all been there, haven't we? The dreaded moment when you know it's time for a new pair of pointe shoes. Or perhaps it's your first time ever shopping for ballet shoes. Or, even better, you get that twirl-worthy urge for a brand new, sparkly, romantic, tutu. That feeling? Oh, the excitement! You grab your best ballet friend, the one you share everything with (shoes, outfits and all the drama, you know who you are!). And off you go - to the ballet shoe shop. That happy little place. I go there at least twice a year, at least, even for a small, new box of ribbons and a bunch of elastic! This little treasure chest is definitely Mitcham's most valuable secret!
First up, my dear Mitcham ballet store. This place oozes magic - even when you walk through the door! They've got the biggest selection of ballet shoes in London and even in the whole country, and when you know what you want, they're the only place you should be. Ever.
My dance world changed when I went to this particular store for the first time. So much variety! My search ended for a shoe that really suits my feet. It wasn't about the brand or price, but all about comfort. It's all about choosing your weapon wisely. So it's best to listen to the staff when they suggest the best type of shoe, and be open-minded when they suggest new things! And here at Mitcham you are treated as a true princess, they are all super supportive!
First things first, if you're starting pointework, make sure you speak to your ballet teacher or a physiotherapist first. This will help make sure that your feet and legs are strong enough and prevent nasty injuries! Then you can pop in to Mitcham. Be sure to bring the shoes you already have for your regular ballet class so they can get an idea of your feet and then they can work out which shoes would be the best choice for you!
If, however, you are already in the magical world of ballet on pointe, the most common pointe shoes are (are you ready?):
- Grishko 2007 - an absolute classic
- Bloch Serenade - Another firm favourite, these are super strong
- Gaynor Minden - These are known for being super supportive
- Capezio - Great value for your money! You can get so many styles!
- Freed - A great classic, for your feet
Of course, the right ballet pointe shoe is all down to your individual needs and the kind of dance you'll be doing. Your expert advice at Mitcham is invaluable! Just be sure you always buy a pair that will work well with your feet! And do wear those tights, not your usual ones that are used for classes - a special pointe shoe fitting day - a special pair of tights!
As I am a ballet dancer myself and an expert on how to properly break in shoes, the first thing to do once you have those beauties in your hands, is to place your box of pointe shoes on a shelf in your wardrobe to allow them to dry out before you even consider trying them on! After a day of drying out they can be placed back in the box (with the shoe bags in, they really make a difference) so you can do a little break-in on day 1 (just a bit, a little bit)! That is if you don't want to take them for their first real day, straight to your dance class! The first break in involves softly placing your weight on the sole of each pointe shoe, so your body can take the weight gradually, the shoe can get a little less hard. A gentle stretch with a bit of pressure, really helping the shoe adapt to your feet, while simultaneously, helping the shoe to shape, mold and fit better.
While your beautiful pointe shoes are breaking in - on your beautiful, very special ballet dancer feet, take a walk on the wild side - yes, I am going there! And see the beautiful selection of dance wear (yes, this little shop has everything!). Now, this store knows what they are doing - leotards are always, ALWAYS stylish. The leotards are always available in pretty classic styles, for all those ballet dancers out there who like it sleek, and very simple, with only a little something different in detail. But you can also pick up a leotard that will turn heads, as Mitcham stocks leotards in a big selection of colors, shapes and fabrics. Some are fun, sparkly, others with straps or cut-outs! Then there are also plenty of pretty leotards - so you always have options to show off the beautiful line of a ballet dancer's body.
With my favorite piece of attire - the dance leotard in place - how about tutus? Now, a little note, it's so great how many brands are now stocking their beautiful collections in this little shop in Mitcham, so when I go there for pointe shoes - you'd think I was in heaven - and it all smells beautiful! This Mitcham shop has it all, you really have so many choices here and as they've started stocking all the new collections for stage, I often buy a brand new tutu from there.
Tutu choices include, well...the choices are endless:
- The classical tutu - this has a wider skirt made with layers of tulle and it is one of the iconic styles.
- The romantic tutu - a perfect addition to my stage wardrobe and often has a shorter skirt and delicate layers. If I'm not performing, it's the perfect choice to rock out in a street-style photoshoot for my ballet fashion blog!
- The contemporary tutu - this is all about comfort. It often has more layers and looks a bit more structured with a smaller, shorter skirt, and with elasticated fabric so I can jump, twirl and perform my heart out!
If your inner ballet dancer is screaming for the perfect ballet shoes and tutu combination, there's nothing else like a day shopping in Mitcham. I will keep posting about my ballet outfits - but, don't worry I'm keeping Mitcham my little secret.
But on a more serious note - I think we can all agree that finding a shoe that feels amazing - which is why we love that little Mitcham store - can be the best feeling for any ballerina! #enpointe #ballet #Mitcham