Ballet En Pointe: A Ballerina's Guide to Finding the Perfect Gear in Spalding
Hey fellow dancers! I'm Amelia, and as you know, I'm totally obsessed with all things ballet. I’ve just moved to Spalding and as a keen ballerina, one of the first things on my to-do list was to find the perfect dancewear and pointe shoes! The search took me all over town, but I was on a mission to find the best – because let's be honest, we all deserve the very best gear to support us on those leaps and twirls!
First off, the classic ballet leotard! It's all about finding one that fits you perfectly – a bit like finding a pair of Cinderella's glass slippers, it should hug your body just right without feeling restrictive. I discovered this gorgeous deep emerald green leotard that accentuates my natural curves. The silky material feels so soft and luxurious against my skin. It was a real game-changer in the studio – seriously, my classmates all asked me where I’d got it! I’m now hooked on that particular shade of green for my leotard choices! Speaking of my dance wear collection, a tip from a veteran dancer is to avoid a white leotard as it gets so dirty - although they do look super elegant!
Then there’s the matter of pointe shoes. Okay, let's get real, this is a bit like a grown-up's version of finding the right pair of comfy trainers! It can take time, but I found some fantastic teachers in the local area who were really patient as they measured me up and let me try on various different styles of pointe shoes – everything from a classic, streamlined silhouette to something with a bit more support around the ankles! I was looking for shoes that offered both support and flexibility for the more complicated moves in the upcoming choreography. After testing out different styles on the barre and during some pirouette practice, I discovered some beauties with extra padding and a lovely leather insole. These shoes, my darlings, they were pure magic! Finally, my pointe shoes were working in harmony with my foot, giving me the control I need without restricting my range of motion! I definitely learned a lot about pointe shoes during that time – a must have, even if you have an experienced dance teacher, is having a good idea of your foot type, strength and ankle mobility so you can really find the shoes that fit your dance style.
And what's a ballerina without her tutu? Seriously! This part of the hunt is where the real fun begins, because tutus come in all sorts of delightful styles and designs - it’s a world of fluff and fabulousness! And when I tell you I’ve seen a rainbow of fabrics and beautiful shades of tulle… well, let’s just say I was pretty overwhelmed at first!
There are all the classic tutus for ballerinas like myself who are totally enamoured by traditional designs but I also found tutus that are ultra-modern and almost couture-like. I’m not sure why but, for some reason, my gaze was drawn to a particular powder blue tutus that reminded me of something straight out of a ballet scene in a period movie! It featured a very traditional bodice with a long flowing tulle skirt that seemed to whirl and twirl around my legs in a graceful motion. I could easily see myself waltzing across the stage in this graceful piece. I just have a soft spot for that classic ballerina look – it’s always so elegant and feminine! But the sheer variety of tulle was pretty remarkable, from gauzy silk to rough and tumble netting. There are a lot of creative tutus out there in all sorts of different textures, which means I could probably make a complete outfit change before every show if I wanted to!”
I'm loving my newfound dancewear, it really makes me feel more confident, empowered, and ready to take my dancing to the next level. The dance studio where I’m taking lessons has a lovely and supportive community, full of fellow enthusiasts of all levels. If you're ever in the Spalding area, why not pop down to the local dance studios? Who knows, maybe you'll be dancing on the stage or in a studio near you one day. Or even in a world-renowned dance theatre!
And don’t forget: • Check out some ballet workshops to brush up on technique! • Follow your favourite dancers on social media. • Don’t give up – dancing is a journey, not a race!
Keep dancing and remember… **#enpointe #ballet #spalding**