My daughter has a supporting role in her middle school production of the Sound of Music. She needs some black character shoes. She will need to do some dancing. She's insisting on shopping at a local dance specialty store and spending about $90, claiming that those shoes are "better" than the more reasonably priced ones we could find on the internet or at a discount dance store.
What should I look for? As a single mom, I don't have unlimited funds. I give her a "clothing allowance" but I retain some control over it and think that $90 on these shoes (which will only be for this show, maybe one more, maybe not) will mean too many other things she can't have. Also, at a size 9.5, I'm not certain her feet have stopped growing.
Advice?
2006-12-14 04:55:40 · 8 answers · asked by Singinganddancing 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
Go to a local store and try on several styles, brands, sizes. Then when you know which ones you like and the size of each, then go on-line and look up the price differences. They can often be cheaper on-line even paying shipping.
I am a dance teacher, I have a bachelors in Theatre, and have choreographed several musicals including the Sound of Music. For a middle school production she just needs the basic shoe to get her through it. I would look for shoes in the $30 to $40 price range. Dance shoes range greatly in price depending on the manufacturer. In my experience the shoes that cost less are not necessarily less in quality.
Try the web sites:
http://www.discountdance.com/index.php
--their character shoes start at $20
http://www.dance4less.com/dancewear.htm
--their character shoes start at $29
http://www.baumsdancewear.com/catalog_productdetail.cfm?prodid=9
--theirs starts at $23
Let your daughter know that from stage no one will know the difference in the $90 pair and the $20 pair!! She can trust me on that one!!! Besides, no one will be staring at her shoes anyway, she should worry more about her make-up!!!!
2006-12-14 15:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she is into dancing - buy her good shoes. If it's just for one time or a couple of times - buy discounted shoes. It is important to have good shoes if she dances a lot. Bad shoes might screw up her feet. Suggest it to her to try on the shoes at the local store and then shop around on the internet. It is quite possible you will be able to find the same brand for a cheaper price. I dance a lot. I bought my first pair at a store and I buy the same model ever since but I buy it from the internet. $90 for charachter shoes seems a bit too much. I think $60 is more reasonable and common.
2006-12-14 13:40:19 · answer #2 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know that she will not use them again why listen to her. Buy something that you can afford. Look for discount shoes that will be the best way to go. If not you might find some at a 2nd hand store she will only use them for that show then you know they will sit around in her room without being worn again. Why spend a lot of money on something she will not use again. I have my oldest daughters doing a Christmas show tonight and she need it a duck custom which she will only use for tonight. There for I went to the 2nd hand store to find something that we could use and we found one and I spend $6-10 on it and all I did was put it in the washer, dry it, and iron it. But if your daughter is planing on doing more dancing shows buy her something that is not extremely expensive and will last her a long time and isn't not going to leave you empty handed.
2006-12-14 05:40:38 · answer #3 · answered by yanely_naomi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's for one show 90 dollars is ridiculous, especially you being a single mom. I don't even pay that much for shoes I wear everyday. You should tell her you don't have that kind of money to go and buy 90 dollar shoes she's only going to wear once, and shop around. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's the best.
2006-12-14 05:04:56 · answer #4 · answered by mystique 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will spend a week in their shoes when you have that baby and the responsibility hits. Though being a teen has it's tough spots too. However, if I had to trade anyone places it would be my husband. Let him see what it's like in a mom of two and one on the way's shoes!
2016-05-24 03:23:12 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think it's likely her feet will keep growing, buy the cheap ones. They'll last through the show fine. If you think she'll be able to keep them for a while and will be involved in more productions where she will need them, then it may a good investment to buy a sturdier pair of shoes.
2006-12-14 05:28:47 · answer #6 · answered by CRF 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask her dance instructor. But if it's a middle school production, my gut says that discount shoes will be fine.
2006-12-14 04:59:16 · answer #7 · answered by lcraesharbor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would rather spend around 20-30 dollars.
2006-12-14 05:11:14 · answer #8 · answered by -- 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋