About Ballerina Shoes
Ballerina shoes must be both elegant and sturdy, supporting a ballerina through the rigors of consistent practice and performance. A ballerina must contort, move quickly and perform, all while supporting her body upon the strength of the ballerina slipper, a seemingly small and frail shoe. However, there is much more to the ballerina shoe than meets the eye!
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Basics
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Ballerina shoes are most often pink for women, but black and gray are used. They are designed to be made of cloth on top with a pliable--yet strong--sole. The soles are always thin, and flexibility is a must.
By Any Other Name
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Ballerina shoes are often called ballet shoes or ballet slippers.
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Male Ballerina Shoes
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Male ballerinas also use ballerina shoes, of course, but colors tend to be more neutral, such as white or tan.
Dress Up
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One of the most popular times for the purchase of ballerina shoes isn't the start of a dance or school year. It's Halloween! Many sport versions of the ballerina shoe to fulfill their dancer fantasy on this holiday.
Pop Culture
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Ballerinas have been immortalized as dancers of extreme grace and beauty. Degas depicted the ballerina shoe beautifully within his art, and songs like "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John and "Ballerina Girl" by Lionel Ritchie pay homage to ballerinas.
The Ethical Ballerina
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Although ballerina shoes were conventionally made of leather, dancers started to process a more conscientious concern towards the end of the 20th century. Ballerina shoes can now be found in vegan styles or made from recycled materials and from "free trade" countries.
Other Uses
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Ballerina shoes have also inspired shoemakers to create regular shoes in the ballerina-style and shape. Made of more sturdy bottoms to support the rigors of walking and working in the real world, the ballerina-style shoe is made in many varied materials and colors throughout the world.
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