How to Tie Your Pointe Shoes

*Please note, this method is best used with stretch ribbon, as opposed to satin.

Getting your first pair of pointe shoes is a big moment for any dancer, but especially for adults. We work so hard to be ready, and then the moment finally comes... You book your fitting, find your perfect pair, and excitedly rush home to sew them... And then you find yourself with a shoe on each foot thinking, How the heck do I actually tie these things? (At least that's what happened to me...🫣)

What I learned after many hours spent on YouTube is that there's not one “right” way to do it. Every dancer finds the method that suits their preference (similar to tying your street shoes — think bunny ears vs the standard swoop & loop) so don’t stress if your method looks a little different from the person sitting next to you on the studio floor (confidence, girl... #fakeit'tilyoumakeit).

What's important to know is that the primary function of pointe shoe ribbons is to help secure the shoe to your foot and provide stability & support, especially around the ankle. Your ribbons are meant to pull the satin of the pointe shoe snugly up around your arch, then wrap smoothly around your ankle, finishing with a secure knot and tucking in the ends so nothing sticks out. A clean, polished look not only keeps you safe but also gives you the "I'm-a-seasoned-ballerina" aesthetic.

This is the method that I learned from a former professional dancer — feel free to try it out for yourself and let me know what you think!

xx, Hannah