I was a dancer in the 60’s-70’s and this reminds me of what we wore. Toe pads didn’t exist and we used as little lambs wool as possible, better to control shoe and feel the floor. Our feet were ugly, beat up, calloused, and bloody. Multiple brands were not available. I believe there was Gamba and Capezio. I wore Capezio’s Assoluta sp? or Ballerina styles. For each pair I had to try on multiples to get a shorter vamp, my toes were short. Our local store was great about carrying everyone’s style and size. Ordering was not an option for me because my foot size and shape. Obviously there are so many options and brands these days. Those toe pads would be a dream.
I am now in my 70’s but still dance in my dreams.
foxyroxyable
They honestly look so beautiful and if you watch the evolution of ballet technique throughout history it makes so much sense why the shoes have changed shape so drastically.
belladingdong
I always assumed that old paintings of ballerinas were just painted in the style of the artist, but they really did look tiny and pointy!
emandmhandicrafts
I was a dancer in the 60’s and 70’s. I wore one brand and one particular style. I would often try on multiple pairs just to find one with a shorter vamp. Today’s pointe shoes seem to be so much more advanced from a wearability point and so many many different brands and styles! No toe pads, maybe a bit of lambs wool but that was all. You girls today have got it so much better as far as shoes go.
foxyroxyable
A famous ballerina made walking across wine bottles an iconic trick in the 50s so I can see why
keekermojo
I always wondered why the ballerinas in old ballet videos looked like they had such pointy shoes. Now I understand why. I feel like this helps to explain a bit about the style of dancing in that era as well.
firelunamoon
From what I've seen in older clips they did way less pointe work back then so makes sense the platform is smaller
pertheguy
I took classical ballet well into my 40s and I were Schatners, German.They were made with compressed foam shanks. Soft, medium or hard. Hi or low vamps. The platform was so square
that you could balance forever❣ The vamp was made out of fiberglass so you could actually throw your point shoes in the washer❕I LLOVED them. MARY PRICE BODAY. To order them she would send you a sheet and you would trace your foot in a pair of tights And send it to her and she would send you the most perfect fitting pointe shoe. They were more beige than pink. Just beautiful. When I first started on point I used lamb's wool which I hated... But then I started cutting the tips of my socks off and wrapped every toe with masking tape. We'd also used New Skin on our calluses. Calluses would rip off often. I tripped out I was searching point shoes and Nike actually made a pair of point shoes that were black they looked pretty cool however I don't dance anymore But I'd still like to do some point work at the bar I bought a ballet bar and a garage sale for $30 that's solid steel piping thick black lacquer paint on it and a varnished barwhat a bargain for $30
Let's hear It for ballet🩰🎼🎶🎼🩰
debbiehamilton
This has to be why everyone always thought there was a wooden block. Like you can't look at that and honestly tell me it doesn't look like a block with how long the vamp is compared to now
LayneHelen
I’m only 37. When I started on pointe, we got mocked because pros used shoes closer to the ones in this video and we beginners from a no name studio wore ones like the modern ones- big, flat platform.
It makes me happy to see pros now use the more practical shoes with the flatter platform.
thecraftycyborg
That's what I wore in the 70s. With lambs wool over the toes
ElizabethMorgan-lt
I actually love the way they gave your feet a dainty delicate appearance❤❤
noramero
I started pointe in the 80’s and we still had relatively small platforms and long vamps- no toe pads, just a paper towel and taped toes. I love the newer styles!
MaryBrunson-rf
Harder to balance on flat. Wasn’t until mid to late 70’s that they flattened the sole and made box easier to balance on
sandraleeashie
I’ve seen photos of ballerinas from the 50’s and 60’s whose toes have quite literally moulded together. Now I see why. 😮
donnaberry
It seems that pointiness was the aesthetic especially in the 50's at any rate. Think, for example, of the pointy bras and the dresses that had those cones that had to be filled!!!
Unknownentityanon
In the 70s, I had pavlovas and they were super narrow and yes about a quarter at the tip of the box. But I had a friend who brought me shoes from the Kirov and the box tip was wood! They were dancing on wood blocks!
erikat
So interesting to see the differences compared to your modern pointe shoes. Would be cool if you tried dancing in them to see how different they feel too! As long as you feel safe doing so of course ❤
jpeg
I’d love to see what those point shoes look like on point, and compare them to you regular ones.
JenniferCrum
Exciting. Have you tried dancing on them? How much different do they feel from your regular shoes?
