Everything here I bought myself. Not sponsored.
Buying ballet shoes from Korea means running into three different sizing systems in one order. Korean shops list millimetres, Japanese brands print centimetres, and American brands use numbers that correspond to neither.
I’ve bought five pairs across those systems. Here’s how they actually line up.
The three systems
| System | Looks like | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | 230, 235, 240 (mm) | Korean shops and brands |
| Japanese | 23.0, 23.5, 24.0 (cm) | Chacott, Japanese labels |
| US | 4, 4.5, 5 | Body Wrappers, Capezio, Bloch |
Korean mm and Japanese cm are the same number. 235mm = 23.5cm. That one’s easy.
US sizing is not derived from either. You have to use the brand’s own chart.
The measurement everyone gets wrong
Here’s the part that isn’t on any size chart.
Measure your bare foot, then add 5mm.
If your bare foot is 230mm, order 235mm. If your feet are wide, add 10mm or more — so 240mm.
I learned this the expensive way. A shoe that fits your bare foot measurement exactly will be too tight once your foot spreads under load.
Korean shops sell in 5mm increments, so there’s exactly one step of adjustment available. Use it.
Worked example — my own feet
My bare foot measures 235mm. Here’s what I actually took in each system:
| Brand | System | Size taken | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allongé SM1 | Korean, mm | 235mm | Correct |
| Hagling satin ribbon | Korean, mm | 235mm | Exact |
| Body Wrappers Angelo Luzio 248A | US | 4.5 | Slightly loose |
| Children’s basic canvas | Korean, mm | 235mm | Correct |
For the Body Wrappers, their chart puts 235mm at US 4.5. Their guidance:
- Want it tight → 4
- Want it roomy → 5
I took the true size and found it slightly loose. Next time I’d take the 4.
Why the “right” size depends on the closure
This is the thing that actually determines fit, more than the number.
Drawstring shoes
The shoe changes size when you pull the drawstring. A pair that feels slightly loose in the box can end up perfect once tightened.
⚠️ And once you tie it off and seal the ends with a lighter, you cannot undo it.
Tie it at the point where you think hmm, this is a touch loose. I tied mine to a perfect snug fit and they became house slippers within a month.
Pull-on shoes (no drawstring, no elastic)
These use 4-way stretch and mould to your foot. Body Wrappers markets the Angelo Luzio as “Fits Like a Leotard” and, annoyingly, that’s accurate.
Because the stretch is so generous, choosing a size feels more like choosing a leotard size than a shoe size:
- Want your foot held tightly → one size down
- Want comfort → true size
Ribbon shoes
Sized like drawstring shoes, but the ribbons let you adjust tension at the ankle rather than the width.
I tied mine too tight the first time and my heel hurt for the rest of class. Snug, not strangled.
The fit test that matters more than the number
Once the shoe is on and adjusted:
- Flex the foot. Toes should reach the end without curling.
- Rise. The heel must not slip off.
- Stand still for thirty seconds. If the heel digs now, it will be worse in an hour.
- Look at your toes. You want to see them working through the fabric.
That last one is the real test. In every class you’ll hear some version of use all of your toes. If the shoe is loose, you can be gripping with everything you have and it simply disappears — nobody can tell, including you. So you get the same correction, again and again.
A shoe that shows the shape of your foot is a shoe that lets someone help you.
Quick conversion table
| Bare foot | Order (Korean/Japanese) | Body Wrappers (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 220mm | 225mm / 22.5cm | ~3.5 |
| 225mm | 230mm / 23.0cm | ~4 |
| 230mm | 235mm / 23.5cm | ~4 |
| 235mm | 240mm / 24.0cm | ~4.5 |
| 240mm | 245mm / 24.5cm | ~5 |
The US column is approximate and brand-specific — always check the maker’s own chart. Korean and Japanese columns are exact.
Two more things worth knowing
Children’s sizes go up to 235mm and come in far more colours. Tempting if you want a colour adult ranges don’t carry. But check the sole material first — the pair I bought had a grippy sole that made turning difficult, and I barely wear them.
Buy two pairs and rotate them. They dry out properly between classes, and they last noticeably longer. This is the single cheapest thing you can do for your shoes.
Questions about a specific brand’s sizing? Leave a comment — I’ll measure a pair if it helps.
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