Yes, absolutely! Whether you're matching a costume, refreshing scuffed shoes, or creating a custom look, repainting dance shoes is easier than you might think.

Here's how:

✨ 1. Clean your shoes first
Remove any dirt, dust, or residue so the paint adheres properly.

✨ 2. Apply thin coats
Using a soft brush or sponge, apply several light coats rather than one thick layer. This helps achieve a smooth, even finish and reduces the risk of cracking.

✨ 3. Allow each coat to dry completely
Patience pays off! Let each layer dry before applying the next for the best results.

✨ 4. Test before performance day
Once dry, gently flex the shoe to ensure the colour has cured properly and moves naturally with the shoe. Flexible paints are specifically designed to bend with your dance shoes without cracking.

Featured Products

🩰 Studio 7 Ultra Flexible Paint
Perfect for canvas and leather dance shoes, this specially formulated paint flexes with the natural movement of your footwear while maintaining a smooth, professional finish.

🎀 Tarrago Shoe Colour Change
Ideal for changing, restoring, or refreshing the colour of leather, synthetic leather, and canvas shoes. Its high-opacity, crack-resistant formula delivers long-lasting results.

💡 Pro Tip: When changing to a significantly lighter or darker colour, multiple thin coats will always give the most professional-looking finish.

This is one of the most common questions we get in-store, and the answer is: it depends on your dancer's age, experience level, and studio requirements.

The good news? Both leather and canvas ballet shoes have their place in a dancer's dance bag.

Leather Ballet Shoes

Leather ballet shoes are often recommended for younger and beginner dancers because they offer a little more structure and support. They're also incredibly durable, making them a great choice for growing feet and weekly dance classes.

Benefits of leather ballet shoes:

✨ More durable and longer-lasting
✨ Provide additional support and resistance
✨ Great for younger dancers developing strength
✨ Often preferred for beginner ballet classes
✨ Can offer better grip on slippery studio floors

Canvas Ballet Shoes

Canvas ballet shoes have become increasingly popular with intermediate and advanced dancers thanks to their lightweight feel and ability to showcase the shape of the foot. Many dancers love the "second skin" feeling that canvas provides.

Benefits of canvas ballet shoes:

✨ Lightweight and breathable
✨ Beautifully highlights arches and foot articulation
✨ Flexible with little to no break-in period
✨ Cooler and more comfortable for long classes
✨ Popular for performances, auditions, and examinations

So Which Should You Choose?

Before purchasing ballet shoes, always check with your dance studio first, as many schools have specific requirements regarding material, colour, and sole type.

As a general guide:

✨ Beginner dancers: Leather ballet shoes are often the preferred choice for their durability and support.

✨ Intermediate and advanced dancers: Canvas ballet shoes are usually favoured for their flexibility, comfort, and clean aesthetic.

Our Advice?

Don't overthink it!

A well-fitted ballet shoe is far more important than whether it's made from leather or canvas. The best ballet shoe is the one that fits correctly, meets your studio's requirements, and helps your dancer feel confident in class.

Whether your dancer is taking their very first ballet class or preparing for exams and performances, we're here to help you find the right ballet shoes for their journey.

One of the most common questions we hear in-store is, "What tap shoes sound the best?" Our answer is almost always the same: Slick Dancewear.

After fitting countless dancers and hearing hundreds of tap shoes in action, Slicks consistently stand out for their volume, clarity, and tonal quality. Whether you're a recreational tapper, preparing for exams, or performing on stage, Slick tap shoes deliver the crisp, resonant sound that dancers and teachers are looking for.

That's why they're our go-to recommendation for any dancer wanting to take their tapping to the next level.

Superior Sound Quality

Every pair of Slick tap shoes is fitted with heel and toe taps designed to produce crisp, clear, and resonant sounds. Featuring exclusive loose-fit ACOUS-TECH tap plates, these shoes maximise vibration and resonance, creating the rich tones that serious tappers love.

Whether you're working on intricate rhythms in class or performing on stage, every beat is heard with clarity.

For many dancers, period underwear has become a game-changer. Designed to absorb menstrual flow while looking and feeling like regular dance underwear, they're a popular option for classes, rehearsals, competitions, and performances.

✨ Comfortable and discreet under leotards and costumes
✨ No shifting, bunching, or visible lines
✨ Available in different absorbency levels
✨ Can be worn alone on lighter days or as backup protection on heavier days
✨ Gives dancers extra confidence during long days at the studio

Mad Ally Dance Period Proof Collection

Specifically designed for dancers who need reliable protection without compromising comfort or movement. Available in both a Seamless Brief and High Cut Bikini Brief style, they're made to disappear under dancewear while keeping dancers feeling secure and confident.

The decision to begin pointe work should always be made by your dancer's ballet teacher, who can assess whether they have developed the strength, technique, and control required to dance safely.

Is There a Minimum Age for Pointe Work?

Most dancers begin pointe work somewhere between the ages of 11 and 13, but every dancer develops differently.

A dancer may be the "right age" but still not be physically ready, while another dancer may need a little more time to build the strength required for pointe work.

Age is only one piece of the puzzle.

What Do Teachers Look For?

Before allowing a dancer to go en pointe, teachers typically assess several factors, including:

✨ Strong ballet technique and posture

✨ Good ankle and foot strength

✨ Core stability and overall body control

✨ Consistent attendance and training

✨ The ability to maintain proper alignment

✨ Sufficient maturity to understand and follow corrections

Pointe work places significant demands on the feet, ankles, and lower legs, so dancers need a solid technical foundation before progressing.

Why Does It Matter?

Starting pointe work too early can increase the risk of injury and may lead to poor technique habits that are difficult to correct later.

While every young dancer dreams of their first pair of pointe shoes, building strength and technique first helps ensure they can enjoy pointe work safely and successfully for years to come.

My Daughter Wants Pointe Shoes Now!

We hear this one all the time!

It's completely normal for young dancers to be eager to start pointe. Seeing older dancers in beautiful satin pointe shoes is often what inspires them to keep working towards their goals.

Our Advice?

Trust the process.

The classes, exercises, and strengthening work your dancer is doing now are all preparing them for pointe work in the future.