All About Pointe Shoes

At the beginning of the 20th century, the average woman wore a size 5.5 or 6 shoe. Over the years this steadily grew until, today, the most common American woman’s foot size is between a 8.5 and 9. And it’s not just sizes that have changed. The shape of the foot has also shifted, with a lower profile or crown. Yet, despite this evolution, most pointe shoemakers still build shoes based on lasts made decades ago.

Suffolk® Pointe Shoes are made from modern lasts designed and hand-carved by an engineer and master pointe shoemaker and then computer-graded for perfect sizing. So they fit the modern dancer’s foot. And for those who want a totally custom fit, Suffolk® Pointe Shoes are also made to measure with professional fitting services available at our Suffolk® Dance Boutique and other authorized retailers.

Check out our Blog for more information on when you can get your pointe shoes, how to make them last longer, and more!

To learn more about each of our pointe shoe collections, check out this page.

We offer the most precise fit on the market. Suffolk® Pointe Shoes are available in nine width fittings with the ability to choose in-between sizes. This allows dancers who would otherwise have to order a custom shoe, because they do not fit in a core width size, to have a stock shoe that works for them! It is also great for dancers who have feet with slightly different widths. Suffolk® works hard to provide a shoe to fit every dancers' needs.

For more information about what widths are available for each pointe shoe style, check out the chart below!