In years past, buying dance shoes was done by purchasing at a dancewear store, through a dance studio or ordering via a mail order catalogue. Dancewear shops are primarily located in larger cities and towns with lots of dance studios. They are not very convenient to shop at if you don’t live nearby. Ordering through your studio is done if your teacher requires a specific style or color, and it helps to support the studio (studio owners/teachers usually get a percentage of the sale). If you are looking to try a new style, or for dance shoes to wear for another reason, you generally had to order through a catalogue. Mail order of dance shoes is still very popular.
But now with the internet ordering dance shoes online is very easy, convenient and affordable. Probably the biggest difference buying shoes online is the variety. You can find every type of dance shoes, for every genre, in many colors and styles. Even custom designed shoes are easy to find on the net. It would be impossible for a dancewear store to stock every color and style available in a jazz shoe, for example. But for an online warehouse it’s no problem. And the best part about buying online is the ability to comparison shop. Locate the online stores that offer the shoes you are interested in and compare prices to find the best deal!
When shopping for dance shoes on the internet, you’ll want to be mindful of a few things. First is the sizing. Dance shoe sizes vary by manufacturer, brand and sometimes even by style. Read descriptions carefully to find out if they run true to size or are a size up or down from your street shoe. You’ll also want to check the return policy to find out if returns are accepted, in what condition, and who pays for return shipping.
The shipping costs for your shoes will be another factor into the price. As you compare the price tags, make sure to look at the costs and types of shipping services. Some companies charge according to weight, while others charge a flat shipping fee determined by your order total.
Another consideration with dance shoes is the accessories. When buying tap shoes you’ll want to know if the metal taps are already attached and if not do they come with the shoes. If they need to be purchased separately, you’ll need to know the exact size and model/style of the tap that fits. Tap sizing varies quite a bit in the industry so definitely check first. If you are buying ballet shoes or slippers you’ll want to know if elastics and/or ribbons are attached or provided. Many times you will need to sew on your own ribbons or elastic.
Finding online sites for dancewear is easy, as they are quite abundant. When searching to find one it is helpful to be specific with your search terms, for example “buy women’s capezio black Dansneaker. That will help you find exactly what you are looking for more easily. Some popular sites with affordable dancewear include www.discountdancesupply.com and www.dancedistributors.com. Most companies ship quite quickly in order to be competitive and you’ll be dancing in your new shoes in no time!
