How to Break in Leather Ballet Shoes

Breaking in new leather ballet shoes requires either the application of heat or some form of tool for stretching. In this article, you'll be able to choose between basic stretching of new shoes that are in your size or advanced stretching of shoes in a size smaller than your usual one, a method designed to make the shoe fit your feet exactly.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Basic stretching for new ballet flats

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    Grab your new ballet flats. Head to a clear and clean space to stretch the flats.
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    Spray the shoes with the water. Spray the front, left and right sides. Spray the back as well. Ensure that the entire outer area of the shoes is damp.
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    Aim the hair dryer at the shoes. Start with the front, pulling on the toe front as you dry it.
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    Repeat on the sides and the back, pulling the shape outward as you dry.
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    Repeat as necessary. The shoes should stretch enough in a short space of time.
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Advanced stretching to fit a smaller pair

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    Get a size smaller than usual for this method. When shopping for new ballet slippers, don't be tempted to buy the ones that fit with room to spare, get a size down and stretch them to fit your foot exactly. Buy a pair of leather ballet shoes in a size lower than your normal size.
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    2
    Take off any elastic straps on the ballet shoes.
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    Try to fit the shoe on your foot. It should be very very tight, even painfully so.
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    Using rescue oil or bio-oil, rub the full leather exterior of the shoe. Cover every part.
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    Get a wooden spoon, and push it into the toe part of the shoe. Push it until it stretches as far as it will go.
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    Do the same for the heel of the shoe.
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    7
    Whilst the shoe is oily still, put on two pairs of thick socks. Pull your ballet slippers on––it will be a bit of a challenge, but persevere. Put on another pair of socks over the shoes.
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    Walk around in the shoes for an hour or two, until they are dry.
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    Place the shoes in a warm place. Repeat the whole process a few hours later, and leave in a warm place each time.
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    With one pair of socks on, slip on the shoe. Mark where to put elastics on, then take off and sew them in.
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    11
    Wear your shoes all the time when you're at home. In about a week's time they will soften and mould exactly to your feet, leaving perfect fitting ballet shoes that will last you for ages.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What is the fastest way to clean ballet shoes?
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Use a mild detergent and spot clean soft ballet shoes. While canvas slippers can be put in the washing machine and air dried, make sure to not put leather ballet slippers in the washing machine.

Warnings

  • Method 2 may not work sufficiently for your feet to feel comfortable, in which case you will have spent money on the shoes without being able to use them. It's a risk you need to be aware of.
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  • Use appropriate caution when handling sharp items such as scissors and the needle.
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  • Be careful not to break your skin in the process, it shouldn't happen but always protect those feet.
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Things You'll Need

Method 1:

  • Ballet flats

*A hair dryer (blow dryer)

  • A spray bottle with water
  • A damp washcloth

Method 2:

  • Leather ballet shoes
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread for elastics
  • Elastics
  • Shoe, bio or rescue oil
  • Wooden spoon
  • Three pairs of thick socks
  • One pair of normal socks
  • Plasters (optional)

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About this article

Geraldine Grace Johns
Co-authored by:
Geraldine Grace Johns
Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
This article was co-authored by Geraldine Grace Johns. Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance. This article has been viewed 33,449 times.
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Co-authors: 11
Updated: May 6, 2021
Views: 33,449