In ballet, women traditionally dance en pointe and men in flat slippers, keeping off the ends of their toes. Yet when it comes to street shoes, the ballet flat has traditionally been a women’s shoe. It’s the alternative to high heels when dressing up, often a more practical option when walking around a city. But are men using them as an alternative to loafers?
Guys can wear ballet flats. Until recently, it was difficult for most men to find ballet flats wide enough for their feet. But when Covid-19 hit, it became trendy for men to wear ballet flats. Thus, more men’s labels, including Maison Margiela, have released ballet flats made for a man’s foot.
The world’s changing, and who wears what is becoming more fluid, regardless of sexuality. But wearing clothes traditionally for the other gender is an old tale, even in professional ballet. Gilbert Bolden III may be unusual for posting himself dancing en pointe, but he is far from the first. Thus, men wearing street ballet flats isn’t new; it’s just becoming more common.
Trend: Men Wearing Ballet Flats
In 2020, fashion brands answered people’s call for comfortable clothing by embracing more unisex styles. But in addition to gender-neutral sneakers, sweatshirts, hoodies, jeans, and parkas, there was the ballet flat. It was shown off on the runway as a comfortable yet stylish choice for fashion-forward men.
By the end of 2021, the ballet flat was shown off on the runway as the European men’s street shoe for 2022. Like loafers, ballet flats are comfortable and easy to dress up and down. This makes them an excellent choice, especially when in a city.
This is excellent news for cis-men who enjoy ballet flats because, as studies have shown, cis-men’s feet are generally broader than cis-women’s. Thus, in the past, men who shopped in the women’s department for flats risked buying a pair that pinched and left blisters. While there has been the occasional modern men’s ballet flat, they’ve been rare.
Nor do all men have the means to have them custom-made, as Mikhail Baryshnikov did in the late 80s. He had a street version of his dance shoes made and was famously photographed wearing them while sporting a colorful and dapper suit.
But now, various brands are stocking them, from Neutralizer’s that resemble a modified loafer to the more traditional Maison Margiela’s Tabi ballerinas. Other brands putting out a men’s flat are Lanvin, Dries Van Noten, Hereu, Jil Sander, Comme Des Garçons and Fendi.
However, it remains to see if the ballet flat will continue as a fashion classic as it has for women since the 1940s. However, one must admit the ballet flat is a more fashionable choice, regardless of trends, than the Croc, which many men and women have turned to for comfort. So perhaps fashion-forward men will keep the flat around long after the pandemic.
Women’s Ballet Shoe Brands With Wider Fits
While the market for men’s ballet flats is growing, the range of styles is still much more limited than those offered in the women’s department. However, there are some brands and stores that cater to broader feet.
- Clarks
- Next
- Nordstrom
- Ralph Lauren
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Tory Burch
Also, there’s always the option of buying men’s traditional ballet shoes and just wearing them on the street. These can easily be obtained, including on Amazon.
History Of Men’s Ballet Flat
While the term “ballet flat” is modern, the concept of men and women in flats is as old as shoes. Initially, many ancient styles resembled a type of sandal. However, around 1550 BC, Egyptians had a woven shoe that resembled a canoe crossed with a ballet flat.
The Chinese had a woven shoe made from hemp that resembles a ballet flat; one such pair from the V& A collection dates back to the 68-56BC. Replicas have been seen on the terracotta soldiers from Xi’an. There are other examples of men’s Chinese footwear that are similar to a ballet flat or soft Mary Jane.
In Western culture, men and women wore flats until after the medieval period, when some men began to show off the heal. However, the Renaissance did take the rounded toe and squared it off, some extending it to proportions that made it difficult to walk. But after the French Revolution, simpler lines were taken on, and a cross between a loafer and ballet flat became common.
Nor is ballet the only athletic endeavor where men wear ballet-like shoes. For example, men’s artistic gymnastic shoes are flexible and comfortable flats with plenty of grips that are essentially just modified ballet shoes. Also, many track shoes look like sporty dance shoes that stepped on a hedgehog. Thus, the ballet flat has been around for men, just in disguise.
Men Dancing En Pointe
As men on the street turn to ballet flats for a more comfortable, stylish look, male dancers are extending their repertoire to en pointe. This isn’t entirely new; men have been seen en pointe since the 1940s. However, in the past, men only went on pointe for comedic value, such as playing one of Cinderella’s step-sisters or Bennet Gartside and The National Ballet of Canada doing so for the role of Bottom.
However, some professional men go en pointe for more serious ballet dances. For example, Roberto Vega is seen in this clip rehearsing a White Swan Variation. Gilbert Bolden has also said that it has improved his choreographing, as “you have to get in the shoe sometimes to understand what’s possible.”
As her mother did, Rosine Bena-Porter teaches me on pointe for at least a year. Her mother began the practice due to being “sick of trying to correct the male dancers in partner work.” But not only does the practice of putting men on pointe make them more understanding dance partners, but it also pushes their range.
Which is precisely what bringing ballet flats to the street does for men: it gives them a broader range to express themselves.
Conclusion
Guys can and do wear ballet flats. It is currently trendy, but similar style shoes have been popular with men during various periods of history. On the flip side, men in ballet are branching out beyond their flats and getting en pointe and broadening the art form. All of which shows that getting caught up in gender clothing limits expression and art.
FAQs
This new genderless style of course started with fashion, as society began to embrace the unnecessary need to assign genders to everything. And we're so happy that mindset has translated down to our feet. So yes, ballet flats can be wore by men or any gender that choose to wear them.
Can men wear ballet shoes? ›
Do male ballet dancers wear pointe shoes? Not normally. Sometimes men will wear pointe shoes for comedic effect, such as for the Stepsister characters in Cinderella (men are often cast as the sisters).
Are boys ballet shoes different than girls? ›
Is There a Difference Between Boy and Girl Ballet Shoes? The main difference between a young boy's ballet shoe and a girl's is that a boys' shoes will not need ribbons. Boy's ballet shoes will need to be bought in either black or white depending on the preference of the studio you attend.
Can men wear ballet boots? ›
These boots are still far from practical, but for certain occasions they can be stylishly provocative. Women (and men) can—with practice—wear them for a couple of hours. Extended use, however, can lead to muscle, bone, or ligament issues.
Is ballet for boys too? ›
Ballet isn't a creative outlet restricted to girls. Dancers all over the world are continuously bursting through stereotypes, and boys express themselves freely through ballet as well.
Is ballet good for boys? ›
1. They will gain more strength, flexibility, agility and endurance than you thought possible. Professional male dancers, or danseurs, need to lift their female partners, land mighty jumps and withstand hours of non-stop movement on stage.
What is the male version of ballet? ›
Since ballerino is not used in English, it does not enjoy the same connotation as ballerina. A regular male dancer in Italy is called a ballerino. In the English speaking world, boys or men who dance classical ballet are usually referred to as (male) ballet dancers.
What is the dress code for male ballet? ›
Men typically wear white, black, tan or brown. Some studios and dress codes will suggest wearing athletic socks under your slippers. If not, you can go barefoot if you wear cutoff tights or sweat pants, or you can wear footed tights within the shoes.
Are boys ballet shoes different? ›
In general, boys' feet tend to be a little wider than girls' feet, which is something you'll need to consider in terms of fit. Other than that, there are no real differences in terms of measurement or material. When performing ballet, boys and men tend to wear white or black ballet slippers.
What age do boys start ballet? ›
This typically happens around age 8 (although it could be earlier or later depending on the child). Once a child reaches this threshold of maturity, they can begin ballet training in earnest.
A dance belt is a kind of specialized undergarment commonly worn by male ballet dancers to support their genitals. Most are similar in design to thong underwear.
Why do male ballet dancers wear thongs? ›
Full-Seat. Whereas jock straps contain straps on their backside, a dance belt is primarily made as a thong. The reason for this design is to completely hide all traces of underwear lines through the tights or tight pants a male dancer wears.
Why do male ballerinas not go on pointe? ›
Despite the fact that women's feet and legs are oftentimes more flexible than men's, according to professionals in the field of dance medicine and science, there is no physical or medical reason that men should not perform en pointe. It is purely an aesthetic choice.
Is ballet easier for men? ›
Generally speaking, ballet is harder on female than male dancers (although in all fairness, it's very hard on both). Just for starters, let's consider the fact that female ballet dancers work en pointe while male ballet dancers don't!
What age is too late for ballet? ›
It's Never Too Late To Start Ballet!
One of the best things about ballet is that it can be enjoyed at any age. Whether you're 5 or 85, there's always something to learn and appreciate about this beautiful art form.
Are male ballet dancers skinny? ›
Male and female ballet dancers are expected to look and be very thin in physique as females are typically lifted by the male and need to look as if they are 'floating' making them look easy to lift. The ideal weight for a ballerina depends on the ballet company and the individual ballerina.
Do boys wear socks in ballet? ›
BALLET SOCKS Boys should wear socks over their tights; please see uniform guidelines for links to ballet socks, more comfortable and stretchier than regular dress socks.
Do male ballerinas wear a cup? ›
Yes, male ballet dancers wear a dance belt, which some people refer to as a cup. This belt provides support and slight protection for the male genitalia but mostly it streamlines the appearance of the male anatomy for costume purposes.
How tall are male ballerinas? ›
All male ballet dancers measured over 170.0cm in height, with the lowest range of variation (12.5cm) out of all the different dancers. Similar standard deviation values and ranges for sitting height and biiliac breadth were recorded for female ballet dancers and modern and folklore dancers.
Do male ballerinas wear leotards? ›
Male dancers wear leotards for the same reasons females do. Because they allow the best freedom of movement when dancing, whilst allowing the dancer to create beautiful lines at the same time as being covered.
Some male dancers land with 6,000N of force – the equivalent of eight times their body weight.
How many men are in ballet? ›
Ballet Dancer Male to Female Ratio
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|
| Harpist | 8% | 92% |
| Actress | 8% | 92% |
| Modern Dancer | 8% | 92% |
| Ballet Dancer | 22% | 78% |
3 more rowsSep 9, 2022
If you're asking yourself “who is the greatest male dancer of all time?” then look no further, because according to many, that would be Rudolf Nureyev. Born in the Soviet Union back in 1938, many renowned him the Lord of the Dance, being such an empowering image to male dancers both back then and still today.
Is it hard to be a male ballet dancer? ›
It can be extremely tough on your body, as well as your mind. Not only are you performing at an elite, athletic level, but you are also having to make it look effortless. For me, as a male dancer, I think this is one of the toughest things.
Do male ballet dancers need to be tall? ›
Many dance companies today still only hire female dancers, of heights around the traditional measurement of 5'5″ or the 165cm range with males needing to be taller than the female dancers when the females are en pointe.
Do male ballet dancers stand on point? ›
Professional male dancers have been performing on pointe at least since the late 1940s. In ballets like Cinderella and The Dream, British choreographer Frederick Ashton frequently has men wearing pointe shoes for comedy's sake.
What color ballet shoes do men wear? ›
Traditionally, women wear pink shoes and men wear white or black shoes. Skin-colored slippers—which are unobtrusive and thus give the appearance of dancing barefoot—are worn in modern ballets and sometimes modern dancing by both men and women.
What shoes should a beginner wear for ballet? ›
Beginners will need a flat leather or satin shoe, with leather lasting much longer than the satin. Always try the shoes out a bit at home first to get used to them and keep them prepped for use.
What are the 2 types of ballet shoes? ›
Types of Ballet Shoes
- Full Sole: There is a thin leather pad sewn to the back of the ballet shoes, known as the sole. ...
- Split-Sole: As one gains more experience, that is when split-sole shoes come in. ...
- Demi-pointe Shoes: Here, the sole does not have a shank, which is a box at the toe of the shoe.
Both male and female dancers wear tights causing a variety of responses (especially for the men in tights) ranging from it being okay and esthetically pleasing to snickers and giggles.
There should be no sag or bagginess to them. If the tights are too sheer (see-through) then they may either be too small, or you may want to choose a different brand that is more opaque. For men, you'll also need to pull the tights up high to avoid a “uni-butt” look and make sure to wear a dance belt.
Can a man wear a leotard? ›
It's a common misconception that men can't wear leotards and tights to ballet class, but this isn't true. As long as you're comfortable wearing them, there's no reason why you can't wear them.
Why ballet men do not stand on their toes? ›
Despite the fact that women's feet and legs are oftentimes more flexible than men's, according to professionals in the field of dance medicine and science, there is no physical or medical reason that men should not perform en pointe. It is purely an aesthetic choice.
Do men still rule ballet? ›
Women fill ballet's stages and classrooms, but choreographers and artistic directors — the people with power — are predominantly men.
How do male ballet dancers hide their bulge? ›
A dance belt is a kind of specialized undergarment commonly worn by male ballet dancers to support their genitals. Most are similar in design to thong underwear.
Why do male ballet dancers only wear tights? ›
But what exactly does it do? The sole purpose of a dance belt is to lift and support the male anatomy. A dance belt is worn under tights or pants in the place of underwear and is the first garment a male dancer puts on before a class, rehearsal, or performance.
Do male ballet dancers wear a cup? ›
Yes, male ballet dancers wear a dance belt, which some people refer to as a cup. This belt provides support and slight protection for the male genitalia but mostly it streamlines the appearance of the male anatomy for costume purposes.
What age do men start ballet? ›
Men can and do start later but they have different requirements in ballet and don't dance en pointe. Most boys start by age 10-14. 15 the latest with rare exceptions. Professional ballet dancers usually begin their careers at age 16 when they apprentice with a professional ballet company.
Do male ballet dancers have to shave? ›
Just like any other job, and person, a person shaves what they consider to be appropriate and will help them feel confident. That being said, many dancers wear significantly less clothing than an office job, and they remove most hair, if not all, as a result.
