How Tariffs Are Affecting Pointe Shoe Prices (And What You Can Do About It)

We know pointe shoes aren’t just another item in your dance bag; they’re essential tools for ballet dancers that have no replacement. As dancers ourselves, we feel the impact of rising costs just like you do. That’s why we want to keep you informed, help you plan ahead, and support you in every way we can.

Here’s what’s happening, what you can expect, and how dancers can cope with the changes that are coming.

Why Are Prices Going Up?

The short answer is: tariffs. These are taxes placed on imported goods, and they’ve recently been expanded to include a wide range of materials and products—including many of the items used in dancewear and pointe shoes. 

Since pointe shoes are manufactured all over the world, using components like satin, leather, shanks, glue, and paste sourced globally, production costs have risen sharply. Dancewear brands are now adjusting their prices to reflect these added expenses, and as an authorized retailer, Allegro is required to follow the pricing guidelines set by each manufacturer.

Starting June 1, Bloch and Suffolk will be raising their prices across most of their products, including a significant increase on pointe shoes. If you wear either one of these brands, you may want to take advantage of placing your order by May 31 to lock in current pricing.

While Bloch and Suffolk are among the first to announce these changes, we’ve also received word that other pointe shoe brands may follow in the coming months due to the same challenges. This situation is constantly evolving, and the dancewear companies we work with are doing their best to respond as quickly and responsibly as possible.

What You Can Do Right Now

Even though we can’t change the prices, we can offer tips and tools to help you get more life out of every pair. Despite rising prices, Allegro continues to offer our bulk pointe shoe discount - save 20% when you purchase five pairs of pointe shoes at once.

Here are a few things you can do to extend the wear of your pointe shoes:

• Apply glue or shellac to the box or shank to strengthen them

• Rotate between pairs to let shoes fully dry between uses—ideally 24 to 48 hours

• Store shoes in mesh bags to help them breathe

• Remove toe pads, spacers, and accessories when not in use

• Avoid leaving shoes in hot or humid places, like cars or dance bags

If it’s been a while since you revisited your care routine, now might be a good time. A few small changes can make a big difference.

Check our pointe shoe care collection here: 

We know how personal pointe shoes are. We also know how tough it is when something you need becomes more expensive, especially when there’s no real substitute. That’s why we’re doing what we can by offering bulk savings, sharing honest updates, and making sure you’re never caught off guard.

If you have questions about what’s changing, how it might affect your shoes, or if you just want to talk through options, we’re here. In-store or online, our team is ready to help you make the most informed choice for your dancing.

Thank you for continuing to support Allegro, a small business run by dancers, for dancers. 

With gratitude,

The Allegro Team