Measure the length and width of the foot with the Brannock device. This is the metal tool used to measure feet in shoe stores and gives the most accurate foot measurement possible.
Select an initial size that is one full size longer than the length indicated on the Brannock device. This should be one size larger than the dancer's size in street shoes.
Put the shoes on and squeeze the feet at the metatarsal, or sides of the feet. Check that the shoes and feet do not compress too easily. If they do, this means there is too much room in the shoes and this may injure the dancer. Reduce the width of the shoe and continue.
Tighten the drawstring on the ballet shoes. Have the dancer stand in second position and grand plie. Plie just below normal.
Press in on the toe of the show while the dancer is in a deep grand plie. At the correct size, the toes are just against the box at the front of the shoe. If the toes feel crunched, extend the size of the shoes.
Have the dancer assume the pointe position with one foot without putting weight or pressure on it. This pointe should be dramatic, as it would be in full pointe position while dancing.
Pinch the material at the heel of the shoe. If this is a stretchy pointe shoe, the material should be tight against the heel. If this is a brand of pointe shoe that does not stretch with time, there should be a minimal amount of extra material at the heel to allow for movement.