Finding the perfect fit is essential for comfort and performance. Because dance shoes and tights fit differently than everyday clothing, please use the guides below.
- Jazz Shoes: Should fit like a second skin. Shades recommends ordering one size down from your UK street shoe size for the best performance fit.
- Ballet Flats: Ensure the toes can lay flat. The stretch canvas will mould to the foot over the first few wears.
- Men’s Sizing: Men generally order 2 sizes up from their UK street size for dance shoes (as shown in the Adult table).
- Wide Feet/High Arches: If your dancer has a particularly wide foot or high arch, Shades recommends selecting the next size up to ensure comfort.
Returns & Exchanges
Ordered the wrong size? Don’t worry! We offer easy exchanges for all unworn items in their original packaging. Please see our Returns Policy for more details.
Ballet Flat Sizing
Shades Dancewear ballet flats are designed to stretch and conform to the foot. Use the table below to find your fit based on your current street shoe size.
Ballet shoes should fit snugly with the foot flat and toes not curled. The canvas will soften and mould to the foot after the first few wears.
| Order Size | AU Street Size | US Size | UK Size | EU Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child 5 | Child 4.5 | Child 5 | Child 4 | 21.5 |
| Child 6 | Child 5.5 | Child 6 | Child 5 | 23 |
| Child 7 | Child 6.5 | Child 7 | Child 6 | 24 |
| Child 8 | Child 7.5 | Child 8 | Child 7 | 25 |
| Child 9 | Child 8.5 | Child 9 | Child 8 | 27 |
| Child 10 | Child 9.5 | Child 10 | Child 9 | 28 |
| Child 11 | Child 10.5 | Child 11 | Child 10 | 29 |
| Child 12 | Child 11.5 | Child 12 | Child 11 | 30.5 |
| Child 13 | Child 12.5 | Child 13 | Child 12 | 32.5 |
| Adult 1 | AU 3 (Women) | US 2 | UK 1 | 33.5 |
| Adult 2 | AU 4 (Women) | US 3 | UK 2 | 35 |
| Adult 3 | AU 5 (Women) | US 4 | UK 3 | 36 |
| Adult 4 | AU 6 (Women) | US 5 | UK 4 | 37 |
| Adult 5 | AU 7 (Women) | US 6 | UK 5 | 38 |
| Adult 6 | AU 8 (Women) | US 7 | UK 6 | 39 |
| Adult 7 | AU 9 (Women) | US 8.5 | UK 7 | 41 |
| Adult 8 | AU 10 (Women) | US 9.5 | UK 8 | 42 |
| Adult 9 | AU 11 (Women) | US 10.5 | UK 9 | 43 |
| Adult 10 | AU 12 (Women) | US 11.5 | UK 10 | 44 |
| Adult 11 | AU 13 (Women) | US 12.5 | UK 11 | 46 |
Jazz Shoe Sizing
Shades Children’s Jazz shoes are sized in US increments, while Adult shoes are sized in UK increments.
For Adult Jazz Shoes, Shades Dancewear recommends ordering one size down from your standard UK street shoe size for a snug, professional performance fit.
| Order Size | AU Women (Street) | AU Men (Street) | US Size | UK Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child 10 (US) | Child 9.5 | – | Child 10 | Child 9 |
| Child 11 (US) | Child 10.5 | – | Child 11 | Child 10 |
| Child 12 (US) | Child 11.5 | – | Child 12 | Child 11 |
| Child 13 (US) | Child 12.5 | – | Child 13 | Child 12 |
| Adult 2 (UK) | AU 5 | AU 3 | US 4 | UK 3 |
| Adult 3 (UK) | AU 6 | AU 4 | US 5 | UK 4 |
| Adult 4 (UK) | AU 7 | AU 5 | US 6 | UK 5 |
| Adult 5 (UK) | AU 8 | AU 6 | US 7 | UK 6 |
| Adult 6 (UK) | AU 9 | AU 7 | US 8 | UK 7 |
| Adult 7 (UK) | AU 10 | AU 8 | US 9.5 | UK 8 |
| Adult 8 (UK) | AU 11 | AU 9 | US 10.5 | UK 9 |
| Adult 9 (UK) | AU 12 | AU 10 | US 11.5 | UK 10 |
Tights Sizing
If you fall between sizes or are at the upper end of a height bracket, we recommend sizing up to ensure maximum comfort and the best colour representation of the skin-tone shade.
| Ages | 5-7 | 7-9 | 9-11 | 11-13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 111cm – 125cm | 125 – 137 cm | 137 – 150cm | 150 – 160cm |
| Size | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 150 – 162cm | 152 – 172cm | 162 – 178cm | 168 – 183cm |
| Hip | 82 – 92 cm | 92 – 107cm | 107 – 122cm | 122 – 137cm |
Rac n Roll Bags Sizes
Not sure which bag will fit your season? Here is a quick breakdown of our most popular sizes.
- Mini: Holds 1–5 costumes. (Fits in most airline overhead bins).
- Medium: Holds 1–10 costumes. Rack height: 127cm.
- Large: Holds 1–20 costumes. Rack height: 140cm.
SKNFIT
SKNFIT Thongs are based on a standard AU/UK fit. The fabric is super stretchy and breathable, designed to move with you with flexible coverage. You can mix or match sizes depending on your preferred fit or feel.
| AUS/UK | 4-8 | 10-12 | 14+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKNFIT | Small | Medium | Large |