| They are also referred to as pointe shoes or toe | | | | toe-tapping. In the later years the tip of the ballet shoes |
| shoes. In 1661 the ballet shoes were generally heeled. In | | | | were made harder which did not let the dancer feel |
| the early 1800s they were made of leather and the | | | | the floor. The tips were made harder but not with |
| toes and sides were darned to maintain its shape. The | | | | metals, but with satin and glue. |
| dancers relied on their strength in the feet and ankles | | | | Modern Ballerina shoes: In the 20th century, Anna |
| to dance rather than the hard ballet shoe. In the early | | | | Pavlova being one of the most famous ballet dancers |
| 1800s, in Italy, the ballet shoes made were not as | | | | at the time used leather stuffing’s for the tips to |
| pointed as they were earlier and they ended in front | | | | give a much more strengthened support. Although this |
| with a sturdy flat platform. Some of the shoes also | | | | practise was termed "cheating" by her fellow |
| contained boxes that were filled with layers of fabric | | | | participants, it is now the standard ballet shoes used |
| which in turn made the sole harder. | | | | world wide. They now use a satin pointe shoes which |
| The Ballet shoes that went to Russia were | | | | is hard at the tips made with a pliable shank and a |
| transformed much more, with the nail being removed | | | | pouch made of layers of glue and burlap. Each ballet |
| and the front end made more silent. With the advent | | | | shoes may not suit all the dancers; they must break |
| of the 19 century the Ballet shoes were much more | | | | into them using proper ballet skills to be able to use the |
| sophisticated, made with a steel shank, helping in | | | | ballet shoes to their advantage. |