Ballet shoes, although often seen as a symbol of grace and elegance, can also be a source of controversy. One such controversy surrounds the issue of whether ballet shoes should be skin coloured or not.
Ballet originated in the courts of Renaissance Italy, and the traditional colour of ballet shoes was white. This colour was chosen to help dancers appear more graceful and delicate when performing on stage.
As time progressed, some dancers began to opt for lighter shades of pink or flesh-coloured shoes in order to better blend their legs with the floor.
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on diversity and inclusion in all areas of the arts. As a result, some dancers have argued that having skin-coloured ballet shoes would be more inclusive for people with darker skin tones. They argue that having pale pink or white ballet shoes can make darker-skinned dancers feel uncomfortable or even ostracised from the rest of the cast.
On the other hand, some people have argued that skin-coloured ballet shoes are unnecessary because they are less aesthetically pleasing than white or pink ones. They argue that having skin coloured shoes takes away from the artistic expression and beauty of ballet as a form of dance.
Conclusion:
The debate over whether ballet shoes should be skin coloured is complex and nuanced. Ultimately, it seems that this is a decision which needs to be made on an individual basis by each dancer, depending on their personal preference and comfort level. It is important to remember that inclusion and diversity must always be prioritized over aesthetics in order to ensure that everyone feels welcome in the world of ballet.