Bloch Women's Dance Belle Full-Sole Leather Ballet Shoe/Slipper Review
The Bloch Women's Dance Belle Full-Sole Leather Ballet Shoe is a quintessential choice for aspiring ballerinas seeking comfort and style in their dance footwear. Crafted with care by Bloch, a brand renowned for its dedication to quality since 1932, these shoes provide the perfect blend of function and fashion. The Theatrical Pink color adds an elegant touch, suitable for both practice and performances.
One of the standout aspects of the Belle ballet flats is their soft, molding leather upper that ensures a snug fit while allowing for natural foot movement. Additionally, the full suede outsole aids in building foot muscles, making it an excellent option for students who are serious about their craft.
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Features
- Soft, molding leather upper
- Full suede outsole for building foot muscles
- Plush elastic on the top line eliminates the need for draw cord
- Printed heart sock-liner inside the shoe
- Pre-sewn elastic over the instep
- Sizing: Start with 1 1/2 - 2 sizes down from street shoe
Pros
- High-quality leather construction for durability
- Comfortable fit with plush elastic
- Stylish printed sock-liner adds a fun element
- Great for developing foot strength
Cons
- Users may need to size down significantly
- Not suitable for advanced dancers looking for pointe capabilities
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Bloch Women's Dance Belle | Grishko Classic Ballet Shoe | Sansha Pro 90 Ballet Slipper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Leather | Canvas | Suede |
| Outsole | Full Suede | Split Sole | Full Suede |
| Elastic | Pre-sewn Elastic | No Elastic | Adjustable Elastic |
Detailed Review
The Bloch Women's Dance Belle Ballet Shoe excels in various aspects of dance footwear performance. First, let's delve into comfort. The soft leather upper molds perfectly to your foot, offering a personalized fit that supports extended wear. The plush elastic band at the top line aids in keeping the shoe secure without being overly constricting, which is vital for long rehearsal sessions.
Next, we consider functionality. As a beginner's ballet shoe, the full suede outsole serves as an excellent foundation for learning. It provides just enough grip while allowing dancers to slide and pivot smoothly, essential for mastering technique. Furthermore, the pre-sewn elastic over the instep means less hassle during preparation for class.
Aesthetically, the printed heart sock-liner adds a youthful charm to these shoes, making them appealing to younger dancers or those young at heart. However, it's important to note that sizing can be tricky; many users recommend going down 1 1/2 to 2 sizes from your regular street shoe size.
In summary, if you're in search of a reliable and stylish ballet shoe that caters to the needs of beginners, the Bloch Women's Dance Belle Full-Sole Leather Ballet Shoe is a commendable choice. With a glowing history in the dance world and innovative features tailored for budding dancers, it is sure to meet your expectations.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Exceptional comfort with a snug fit and plush elastic. |
| Durability | 8/10 | High-quality leather ensures longevity but requires proper care. |
| Functionality | 9/10 | Full suede outsole helps in skill development. |
| Aesthetic Appeal | 8/10 | Charming design with a fun printed sock-liner. |
User Reviews
I am a US7 in most street shoes and 5 or 5.5 in ballet shoes. I size up in most European designer brands: EU37.5 in Chanel boots and EU37.5/38 in Christian Louboutin. I got this pair in 5.5 which is comfortably snug. I also love how it saved me the trouble of adjusting the strings. Bloch shoes never disappoint and this pair is exactly what I need as an ex-dancer. I am excited to start dancing again:)
These shoes are really beautiful in person. I love that everything is streamlined without the string. I read some of the other reviews about the shoe being a bit wide and figured this was probably due to the fact that you couldn’t tighten it more since there is no string. I was concerned since we were moving from the girls’ version in a size 1 to this in a 2, so I went ahead and ordered both a B and C width so we could compare. I’m glad I did, because the B width was perfect. My daughter already has a slightly narrow foot to begin with, but without being able to cinch it down the C just left a few gaps around the middle. As a side note, I think she would have chosen this style on the inside fabric alone...the hearts are so cute! We also ordered the traditional style in the B & C widths as well, and the 2 in that style was way too long.
I bought these for beginner adult ballet drop-in classes so not looking for professional performance or something that's gonna get super frequent or heavy wear (I suspect). I sized 2 sizes down per feedback that Amazon recommended and other reviews. While the slippers felt pretty comfortable and might have been fine for bumming around the house, they were still too loose for use in a class. Too much space on the heel in particular. I ended up going into a dance store and purchasing a pair in person because I didn't want to keep experimenting with shipping back and forth for sizing properly. My size in these ended up being three sizes smaller than my street shoe size.
And they're comfortable. With suede inner soles-- as I'd hoped. For me, I wear an 8-8 1/2 shoe, and the 7 is a pretty decent fit. Thank you!
So happy to find these on Amazon. These are great ballet slippers. I am a 4.5 Narrow in this shoe. I love that they don't have a drawstring yet still hug the foot. The leather is great quality and the color (Theatrical Pink) blends in with ballet tights perfectly. Overall. I am very happy with my purchase. I would order again.
I was actually looking for barefoot/Grounding shoes and realized ballet shoes have leather soles! I bought these to practice walking barefoot everywhere and they are perfect! I have extra wide feet so finding shoes is a pain for me. Since wearing these, I never want to wear any other shoes! I wish they had black! They are durable and so cute. Will buy again.
This item is way to big for a size 5/6.