My DD mentioned that she will need better quality character shoes, dance shoes and dance clothes. She’s a senior in college this year and looking to get more of a professional look for auditions. We’ve always bought dancewear at the local store. I know that a good pair of character shoes can be quite pricey. She’s getting a part time job to save up to buy the items and I wanted to help her out.
Does anyone have any tips on the best stores to shop? We are in Pennsylvania, so not that far from NY and could make a quick trip if need be but I would prefer to shop locally or online, at least for the dancewear. I know it is really important to try on the shoes.
Also, how long do the shoes typically last? She is still wearing her shoes from Freshman year but they are pretty beat up.
The top choice for shoes seems to be LaDucas. They are expensive but worth the investment. You can order them online but because fit is so important if you can go in person to the NYC store they will make sure you get the right shoe and proper fit. My daughter has been wearing hers for three years and they are still holding up well. She takes good care of them!
And If you go to NY for the shoes, you can go to the Capezio flagship store for anything and everything in dancewear. It’s all available online too, but it is pretty cool to go there in person if you can.
Thanks everyone! @Ducky312 I am not sure what kind of dancewear. I believe she just needs to update the clothing she has been wearing for the last couple of years. When we sent her off three years ago, she had character, jazz, tap and ballet shoes. I think she replaced the ballet and jazz a couple of times but not with “designer” shoes. I don’t think she has had to replace the character shoes.
@toowonderful That’s funny! Looking at the price tag of the LaDucas, I can see her point.
Won’t help for right now, but follow LaDuca on social media and plan to head there next summer. They have a great sale every summer. You have to get up early and wait in line. The store is small and they only let small groups in at a time. But you can get great prices on shoes. Know your size and the styles you like before you go! If you have time, have her go in and get measured and try them on to see what she likes. They’ll keep that info on file so if anyone wants to mail order them for her as a gift they can do so.
For tap, D got tap shoes she found through Broadway Dance Center. I think they were Miller and Ben. You might check those out as well.
All are pretty pricey unfortunately but evidently a good investment for a professional performer.
Just a note on LaDucas… after 2 summers of summer stock where she was in them nearly every day, and night…plus dance classes and shows at school- they were looking pretty sad. With her fall show approaching - she took them to a cobbler and they look almost brand new! $35 vs a new pair!
@kategrizz Thank you so much for reminding me about cobblers. I took my boots to one this year and I am amazed with what they can do! I never thought about taking the character shoes to the cobbler. This might be a good plan. See if they can get cleaned up a bit until we make it to NY to buy new ones.
@whatsnxt - I have to give my D credit - she had the idea - but it was definitely a good one - probably bought her another year or two of life out of her well loved LaDuca’s!
@artskids It is. But all I know is “The Italian Cobbler” who, as it turns out is not Gepetto… but a woman! (I blame my gender bias on Pinocchio!). I’m sure your boy could get specifics from my girl!
lol @artskids I asked @kategrizz the same question when I first heard about it. My ears peaked all the way up!!! I think her D has saved a whole program full of shoes! :)>-
So my D says it is time for her to buy LaDucas. Her teacher said she could do 2.5" heels but will probably eventually want 3". Seems like I won’t want to buy 2 pairs. What do most get? 3" heels?
