Frequently Asked Questions

You can conveniently use our Returns/Exchanges portal directly on our website.

Please note, following our portal does not guarantee we will refund for store credit or exchange any item. We are not responsible for any shipments lost in transit. However, using our portal will allow us the ability to retrieve tracking information to pursue lost parcels. Please allow 24-48 business hours for your request to be processed.

  Items that are for Pre-Order (not available yet for immediate delivery) will be treated as a standard order and are subject to availability by the manufacturer. You will be notified to the Estimated Time of Delivery (or ETA) after your order is placed, please allow us up to 48 hours to collect this data. Paid Pre-Orders for standard stock merchandise are eligible for return by store credit or exchange within 14 days of when we receive it. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact our Customer Service Team:

All items specified on the product page via markdown, or labeled as as final sale are not returnable or exchangeable under any circumstances. All services rendered by Footlights such as alterations make the product a final sale product and cannot be applied to our Return or Exchange policies under any circumstance. We are not liable for any dissatisfaction of a product or service rendered. For questions or concerns regarding our Final Sale Items policies, please contact our Customer Service team

We can evaluate returns/exchanges in person but to save you the trip, you can conveniently use our Returns/Exchanges portal directly on our website or mail in the package by following the directions below.

Please allow 24-48 business hours for your request to be processed.

Our full return policies should be read through this link here before proceeding with any returns/exchanges: 

https://www.dancefootlights.com/policies/refund-policy  

You can always use our Return/Exchange portal to request a refund or exchange via mail. Please note, following our portal does not guarantee we will refund for store credit or exchange any item. We are not responsible for any shipments lost in transit. However, using our portal will allow us the ability to retrieve tracking information to pursue lost parcels.

Please allow 24-48 business hours for your request to be processed.

If we grant a store credit return, you will be given the information containing the total of your credit in person, via email or over the phone. All store credits contain an expiration date. 

Store credits cannot be "cashed out" for the cash value at any time under any circumstance. Items purchased with store credit cannot have the monetary value of the item returned to a credit or debit card and cannot be refunded in cash. For more information regarding store credits, please contact our Customer Service Team

All online orders are processed Monday-Friday (excluding Thursdays) between 10a-3p.

Pickups from carriers happen the following business day from when your order is packed.

*Typically orders are filled within 48 hours depending on the time and day you place your order. Holidays, store closures and delays can impact this turnaround. If you have a time sensitive order, we suggest that you visit our boutiques or call during our Boutique hours to ensure your items are available and ready for purchase. You can always purchase items over the phone (and pay for shipping) during our boutique hours. For further inquiries about shipping, please contact our Distribution Administrator

All online orders are processed Monday-Friday (excluding Thursdays) between 9a-3p.

Weekend orders are not processed until Monday*. Pickups from carriers happen the following business day.

*Typically orders are filled within 48 hours depending on the time and day you place your order.

Holidays, store closures and delays can impact this turnaround. If you have a time sensitive order, we suggest that you visit our boutiques or call during our Boutique Hours to ensure your items are available and ready for purchase.

You can always purchase items over the phone (and pay for shipping) during our boutique hours. For further inquiries about shipping, please contact our Distribution Administrator

If you're not located within the US, there may be higher fees for shipping, depending on the destination address globally. Additional duties/customs charges are the responsibility of the client. All additional fees will be collected before an order is complete. Any failure to respond to additional money requests within 48 hours will automatically void the transaction and the client will be refunded the total cost of their order.

If you need to make a change to your order, please contact our Distribution Administrator at shipping@dancefootlights.com immediately.

If your order status is marked as shipped, your order cannot be changed and you will need to create a separate order for any additional items. For exchanges, follow our Returns/Exchanges policies and conveniently use our online portal to process this request. Some items are not eligible for returns and exchanges. Please allow 24-48 business hours for your request to be processed.

We do not handle the delivery of your goods, therefore we cannot guarantee, represent or warrant that your package will be uninterrupted, timely, or kept secure.

You can file a claim yourself by going to the carrier's website and follow their directions. We are not liable to replace any lost or damaged materials.

If you believe your package to be lost, contact our Distribution Administrator

You will be contacted with the details of what (if any) product you ordered that is no longer available from us or the manufacturer. You will automatically be reimbursed for this item via the payment method used.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Customer Service

We stop taking pointe shoe fittings an hour before closing during the week and at 2p on Saturdays if the line is exceedingly long (regardless of what the services are that other clients are there for). 

During regular business hours throughout the week, our general cutoff time if there is already a wait-list is an hour prior to closing.

Please be mindful of the time: the average ballet flat/jazz/tap fitting takes ten-twenty minutes. If you are arriving five minutes before closing, this is not enough time to fit you properly and process your checkout time.

To contact one of our boutiques, please use the provided sources:

HERE

Yes, we offer sewing services for a fee. Typically, your shoes will be ready within 5-10 minutes once we begin sewing. You can also purchase this service and apply it to your online orders. 

No, we do not offer re-sales of used merchandise. We suggest donating lightly used dance supplies to your studios or local dancers in need. 

Yes! We do offer gift cards.

You can purchase online here: https://www.dancefootlights.com/products/gift-card-pos-only?_pos=1&_psq=gift%20card&_ss=e&_v=1.0

If you need a different value, please contact our Customer Service Team. 

All Gift Cards contain an expiration date. Gift Cards cannot be "cashed out" for the cash value at any time under any circumstance. Items purchased with a Gift Card cannot have the monetary value of the item returned to a credit or debit card and cannot be refunded in cash. For the security of the Gift Card value, the received Gift Card email contains the only accessible point to the Gift Card number for redemption. We cannot reissue or view a Gift Card number due to security limitations outside of our control. The only way to receive a Gift Card is via email. If you lose access to that email account or provide the wrong information, we cannot guarantee the Gift Card can be transferred to a new account without further payment penalties. For security purposes, we strongly advise using the valid email address of the purchaser instead of the receiver to ensure the card is securely received. At that point, the Gift Card can be forwarded to another email address, printed or otherwise distributed to the receiver from the purchaser. For more information regarding Gift Cards, please contact our Customer Service Team

Follow the link here: https://omniform1.com/signup/v1/60776ba58a48f70785838c58_60777cf599f0b77fca353919.html

You can always us the Subscribe Now button on our website as well!

Orders placed for in-person pickup are processed within 24-48 hours, depending on the date and time in which your order was placed. Orders are not processed over the weekend. For time sensitive orders, please contact the desired boutique directly for escalated assistance.

You will be contacted when your order is ready for pickup. Please be mindful of our Boutique Hours and contact the pickup boutique if you have any questions about pickup times and processes.

We are not offering curbside pickup. When you arrive for your pickup after you've received the notification your order is ready, please see a team member at the checkout counter for assistance.

Yes, we do have a fitting fee. Our fitting fee applies to fittings for shoes that you anticipate purchasing elsewhere. The $50.00USD fee can be applied to your future purchase if you decide to buy the shoes from Footlights at a later time within fourteen days of your fitting. We only implement this fee to help ensure the care and condition of our products. We do not fit pointe shoes for clients who intend to purchase elsewhere. 

Yes. We ask that you contact the desired boutique directly (at least 30 days before your desired time) to set this up before confirming dates and times with parents to ensure our services are available.

Please note: When a teacher/dancer arranges a fitting with our team, our Professional Fitters conduct the entire fitting experience. Instructors are encouraged to participate in communicating the "Next Steps", but are asked to refrain from touching shoes or fitting a dancer during the process. This allows our Fitters to comfortably conduct a safe and productive fitting to our certified standards.

To schedule, please message our SmartBot, Phoebe on our site or call us (301)-888-6901

Yes. We ask that you contact the desired boutique directly (at least 30 days before your desired time) to set this up before confirming dates and times with parents to ensure our services are available.

Please note: When a teacher/dancer arranges a fitting with our team, our Professional Fitters conduct the entire fitting experience. Instructors are encouraged to participate in communicating the "Next Steps", but are asked to refrain from touching shoes or fitting a dancer during the process. This allows our Fitters to comfortably conduct a safe and productive fitting to our certified standards.

To schedule, please message our SmartBot, Phoebe on our site or call us (301)-888-6901 and follow the prompts for scheduling group fittings.

Clients of studios cannot apply on behalf of a studio.

Faculty who wish to apply must have permission from the studio owner prior to applying.

For the Studio Wholesale Program: https://www.dancefootlights.com/pages/studio-wholesale 

At this time, we do not offer in-studio fittings.

Yes, we offer group fitting appointments with instructors in our boutiques. Contact the boutique manager of your desired location to set up a date and time. If you have particular styles and brands that you prefer, please notify us during your scheduling to ensure that all options are readily available. 

To contact us, please message our SmartBot, Phoebe on our site or call us (301)-888-6901 and follow the prompts for scheduling group fittings.

***PLEASE NOTE, AT THIS TIME, WE ARE NOT CONDUCTING IN-STUDIO EVENTS***

We offer informational events and specials to local studios. For more information please contact us at info@dancefootlights.com

There are hundreds of dance studios that recommend Footlights because of our highly sought after professional fitters and luxury boutique offers. Due to such high volume of recommendations coming from around the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, we do not have every list of requirements. We always suggest if you are unsure of your requirements to check in with the studio directly prior to purchasing merchandise.

Do you have everything you need for dance class? Check with your studio for any possible dress code requirements established for your level and class. Many studios have uniforms and suggested or preferred options to every part of the dress code, including your bun! 

Save more at Footlights with the Footie Rewards Program. You're automatically enrolled when you create an account with us and earn 1 point!

Easily sign up on our website by creating an account and start gaining points for every $50 spent.

Earn even more points by following the Reward prompts through the Reward bubble.

Earn Points by doing the following:

Spend $50, get 1 point back

Refer a Friend - Give 10%, get 10% Back

Order Totals:

Place 15 orders, get 15 Back

Spend more to save more with our exclusive VIP program.

Tutu Tier: Entry level. Spend $1,000 within a year to qualify. Receive 10 bonus points!

Spotlight Tier: Mid-level. Spend $2,500 within a year to qualify. Get 1.2x the points and receive 15 bonus points!

Prima Tier: Top level. Spend $4,000 within a year to qualify. Get 2x the points and receive 20 bonus points!

Points expire 365 days from earning and some rewards require minimum cart values to redeem and cannot be applied to all merchandise. If you receive a refund for an order you earned points on, those points are removed from your rewards balance.

VIP tiers can be downgraded after a year if goals are not hit.

All pricing is in USD. 

This applies to limited time sales (Flash Sales, annual sales and other deals that are only active within a specific timeframe). All promotional offers are only valid for a limited time. These offers cannot be applied to previous purchases for any reason. Only one discount is valid in a single transaction with any promotional code.

Growth room in pointe shoes is very dangerous. Footlights does not fit with growth room in pointe shoes under any circumstance. 

Toe pads, spacers and additional protection varies dancer to dancer. Not everyone needs spacers, and not every instructor prefers toe pads. Some instructors prefer their dancers to wear thin padding, while another prefers thicker and another could ask dancers to not wear anything in their shoes. When you visit Footlights for a fitting, our professional team will go over all the options and what works best for your feet and instructor. 

You should always have an instructor approve your pointe shoes prior to sewing them, they may be looking for something specific that we are not made aware of during the fitting. If you are sewing them by hand, allow yourself at least one full day before your pointe class to allow sufficient time to sew – and to fix any mistakes! If you do not have time, we offer sewing services for a fee. Follow along our return policies for further details as needed. 

We often hear the term ‘master-fitter’ in the Dance Retail World – but what really makes one? For us, we consider our Master Fitter’s to be the owners of Footlights Dance & Theatre Boutique. For us, it’s about experience, expertise and service. All of our trained fitters were taught by our founder Joy, and co-owners Joe and Molly. Trainees are not approved to fit pointe shoes until Joe and Molly both feel the trainee has mastered the craft themselves. Any time you walk into a Footlights boutique you will receive top-notch expertise and experience with our team. The care and consideration you receive during a fitting is an upmost importance to us as a company. Fittings can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes, if not longer! We strive to give each and every one of our customers the same valued services and to do so, we need that time to properly help each and every one of you in a timely manner. There is no need to schedule a fitting with a Master Fitter when working with Footlights because of the extensive training our team receives. But, if you feel the need to you can always request Joe when scheduling an appointment. 

Yes! We offer virtual assistance for pointe and demi pointe shoes. For those of you who are looking for your first pair, we feel strongly that those first fittings be done in person. 

There are many variables in which depict the life span of your pointe shoes. Ultimately, there will be a point in which your shoes are no longer affective or supportive and in some cases, dangerous to wear. To help extend the life span of your pointe shoes, let them air dry often. Take them out of your dance bag, take toe pads or other toe protection you might use out of the shoes and let them hang somewhere they can air out. Air drying your shoes helps dry out the sweat in your shoes which breaks down the materials over time. If you dance en pointe daily, alternate two pairs of shoes. This allows one pair to dry fully while you’re using the other. If needed, we also offer products such as jet glue which hardens the materials of the shoes and adds an additional barrier to break down. We also offer extensive services in our boutiques to help with dancers who feel their shoes are too soft or dying too quickly. We can apply these services to online orders, but strongly suggest you visit us in person first to talk over the options with our professional team to ensure those are the services you need. All alterations, including those rendered by Footlights, make shoes non-returnable/exchangeable. 

Unfortunately, pointe shoes do not last forever. The best way to tell if your pointe shoes are shot is to evaluate the amount of support you feel in your shoes. Over time, the fabric and materials used to create your pointe shoes begins to break down. When your shoes feel “squishy” (no longer stiff or supportive) or you feel unbalanced, you may need a new pair of pointe shoes. The best way to determine this is to ask your instructor or stop by one of our boutiques to show our professionally trained staff. 

Every dancer is different, therefore the life span of pointe shoes varies dancer to dancer. On average, traditionally made pointe shoes will last you about 12-15 hours of pointe work. 

If you’ve been dancing en pointe but have not previously been fitted for pointe shoes at Footlights, we ask that you bring your current pointe shoes, toe pads and any other additional accessories you may use in your pointe shoes. This allows our fitters to get the best idea of what you’ve been working with and address any possible changes you would like or need. 

Every dancer is different. Some dancers whose feet have not changed in strength or size have an easier time purchasing the same shoes again online as opposed to coming in for a new fitting. However, pointe shoes are often handmade and can vary with consistency. We encourage dancers to come in to try shoes on, even if it’s the same thing. Other dancers, and typically new pointe dancers, find that their feet are in a constant change which affects how they feel in shoes and ultimately need a fitting. It’s always best to come in for a fitting to ensure the best fit for you, but we understand that isn’t always an option! 

No. We do not take shoes back that have been worn. If you feel unstable in your new pointe shoes, we suggest coming in person to have them evaluated. Pointe shoes do not maintain consistency from when they were purchased. When you begin to wear pointe shoes in class, they begin to shift and change to shape to your foot. Sometimes, the way a pointe shoe breaks down can greatly alter your balance and how you feel in the shoes. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee how this will affect a dancer prior to them wearing the shoes; every shoe and every dancer are different. 

With over 30 years of extensive experience and training, our expertise has been sought after from all over the Mid-Atlantic region for many years. With our founder's knowledge combined with innovative training from our vendors, it make us the largest team of professionally certified fitters in the Mid-Atlantic. Manufacturers and designers are in constant works with Footlights on what new pointe shoes they have, often using Footlights as one of the first distributors of new designs for feedback not just from our customers, but also our fitters. There hasn’t been a foot we couldn’t fit – experience the Footlight fit for yourself in store today. 

Depending on the time of day and year, there may be an extended wait time to be fitted. You should expect us to examine your feet and posture. Make sure your toe nails are filed down and not too long! If you're currently en pointe, bring all of your toe protection and your current pair of pointe shoes (even if they're too small or you do not like them). Expect to spend between fifteen minutes to an hour+ between wait time and fitting process at our boutiques. 

In general, new pointe shoes will be snug and secure. They will not feel roomy or comfortable like your street shoes. Our professionally trained staff will walk you through the details during a fitting, allowing us to customize and fit perfectly to your feet. If you’re coming in for your first fitting be prepared to work with our staff from 15 minutes to an hour+ between fitting and wait time. We suggest you come in with any and all suggestions or notes that your instructor has for you, including shoes they do not like! If you are currently en pointe but have not been fitted at Footlights before, we ask that you bring along your current pair of pointe shoes and any toe protection or accessories you use inside your pointe shoes for us to evaluate. 

There is no one brand that is better than another for your dance shoes. Every fit is based strategically on a number of variables which our professionally trained staff are able to pin point to fit specifically for you. We strongly recommend that you visit one of boutiques for a professional fitting, especially for pointe shoes. 

No. We share most of our stock between the website and our multiple boutiques. While we vigorously maintain our online sales, sometimes duplicate orders happen! We will notify you if your item is sold out. Please see our Policies for further information. 

The difference between canvas and leather is they’re two different materials. Canvas is a stretchy cloth which some style ballet flats and jazz shoes are made out of. Leather is a thicker material often used in ballet flats and jazz shoes. There is no “better” option between the two – it all comes down to what works best with the dancer’s feet. 

A split sole shoe is just that – it has a split sole on the bottom of the shoes separating the two pads for the ball of the foot and the heel. A full sole is not split but instead one solid piece from metatarsal to heel. Full sole shoes typically provide more support and resistance. Split sole shoes allow for articulation and mobility through the foot. Each dancer feels different in each style, therefore it is important for dancers (young and old) to try on the different options prior to purchasing. With the assistance of our professionally trained team, we can find the best size and style for you. 

Flesh tone (or skin tone/nude) tights/leotards are products that match the color of your skin tone. Most studios require flesh tone tights and leotards for performances and classes. We carry many shades and options for all skin tones. 

For guideance with shopping apparel, you can reference the size guides provided by manfacturerers here.

All Bi-Monthly subscription boxes (excluding the Barre Plus+ Boxes) follow this schedule:

Order Jan-Mar 25 for April Box

Order April 1-May 25 for June Box

Order June 1-July 25 for August Box

Order August 1-September 25 for October Box

Order October 2-November 25 for December Box

Order December 1-Jan 25 (2023) for February 2023 Box

Bi-monthly shipping months for 2022:

April, June, August, October, December

The Barre Plus+ Box ships bi-monthly based on when your first subscription purchase is made.

The Serious Dancer (Bro Edition) & all Quarterly Boxes ships every two months based on when your first subscription purchase is made.

Mini Boxes | Limited Edition Boxes are not available for subscription and ship based on the dating provided in the product description.

Purchases of a subscription plan for any applicable box has a minimum commitment of three three billing cycles, three boxes. In purchasing the subscription, you are agreeing to these terms and they cannot be changed. Your payment method provided with the first purchase will be charged automatically following the subscription plan(such as bi-monthly). Billing only occurs based on the purchased subscription plan.

You are offered one exchange for your first box purchased. You will need to email us at info@dancefootlights.com | Exchanges for every item is not available in store. Contact us via email provided and we can direct you to the best way to proceed with the exchange.

After the first box, you will be responsible for updating your subscription box sizes. To do so, email us at info@dancefootlights.com to update your order BEFORE the shipping confirmation is received for the next box. We cannot adjust boxes that have been shipped.

No refunds after 24 hours of your order being placed.You can skip, cancel and pause your subscriptions at any time after the first three months of the billing cycle.Some cancellations requested 48 hours after purchase are applicable for store credit* email customer service for assistance at info@dancefootlights.com

Footie Boxes will typically ship within four-seven weeks (excluding holidays + weekends) from the original order date.

Mini Boxes will clearly state a shipping date in their own description.

In some cases, earlier ordering may be available, which can increase the wait-time for your Footie Box. Please note, if you choose to subscribe, these orders will automatically be placed and filled for you as long as your payment method is not declined.

Footies Boxes cannot be purchased inside our boutiques for same-day
pickup.

We have separated our boxes by gender to help customize the dancers' specific needs based on the most common dance attire needs for male and female dancers. Dancers who identify as gender-fluid or non-binary should read the description of the box offers and select the box that speaks to their needs to best. We offer a variety of options for dancers whose focus is ballet and an option for those who don't.

Our boxes are intended for teen-adult dancers and may contain self-care products or other wellness items (such as sugar scrubs or facial masks). We never include edible items. Sometimes it may be a shirt, a water bottle, a conditioning tool, and so many more possibilities, but it's a MYSTERY!

Due to the discounted pricing already built into the box offers, additional discounts cannot be applied to these items including Footie Rewards.