Dancer’s Image

I called to ask if they carry any flamenco outfits; my exact words were «do you have either a longer skirt or a dress that has movement?». I was put on hold twice. Second woman, I’m guessing the owner was condescending, overbearing and dismissive. It’s a simple question. She asked me immediately what did I want ??? With a tone as if she didn’t understand so I repeated my question; you’re a dance store, how off base is this question really?! Then she asked me who was her teacher– why does this matter? I answered and she responded «oh I’ve been working with her for ages» — great. Do you have the clothing??? She asks how old is she? I answer 6, she responds — «well you’re going a little heavy here». Wtf?! She asks me why does she need a skirt or dress to dance! I tell her, incredulously, because they encourage movement– I mean come on. She then asks If her teacher wants her to have them. This is some kind of exercise in communication masochism. She tells me any skier will do. Lol thanks professional lady. Then she tells me to get a ‘character’ skirt. This is a skirt for traditional dancing she tells me. Ok. But she informs me almost proudly that she wouldn’t carry a skirt for a 6 year old. Her smallest size is a 7. Well we’re in luck because my daughter actually wears a size 8. Oh no it doesn’t go by size, it goes by length and she really needs to be there to get fitted. Wait — you just declared you have a size 7 and based on your former opinions of how I shouldn’t take my daughter’s dance clothing so seriously, then what gives ?! I’m dying to get this lady off the phone– so I say forget it several times, I’ve never had someone be so oppositional to even the potential to sell me something. She rambles on and on how flamenco outfits need to be custom ordered. Ok professional dance clothing seller lady, I get it. You don’t have what I want, you don’t want me to get what I want and you don’t even get it to begin with. AVOID.

I was a little nervous after reading the reviews for this store, but I needed a pair of adult ballet slippers and this was seemingly the only place in Boston that had a guarantee of adult shoes! I have to say I had an awesome experience. The owner sat down with me and I tried on 20 pairs of shoes until we found one that felt perfect. She was so calm and patient even though my fitting went an hour after they closed! I left the store feeling so excited and confident for my first adult ballet lesson.
I was also ready to impulse buy tights, leotards, and bags but instead of letting me waste money on items I may not need, she told me to come back after my first lesson when I can see what everyone was wearing. I thought that was nice because it told me that she wasn’t only interested in the money, but my new ballet experience overall.
Will definitely be going back :)

My experience there wasn’t too good. The store was very unorganized and hard to view all of their items. I walked in and was asked if I needed help and I replied with no, but this one woman would no leave me alone. Even as I was looking she kept commenting on what I was looking at and asking me questions about what I was looking for. I just wanted to look and she was quite hard to deal with. As I tried the things that I chose on, she kept offering me items through the curtain as I was changing; the curtains were not very shielding either! I understood that she was trying to help, but it was hard for me not to complain. After she stopped trying to help, I could here from the front of the store swearing and complaining g very loudly about some of her employees, and it didn’t seem like a very friendly environment for some younger kids that could come through. It was almost yelling. I tried to avoid her and and talk to the owner of the store for help instead, but owner was trying to help another girl that had needed a pointe shoe fitting. I ended up asking for the other woman’s help with some skirts afterwards, so she was went to the back to get out the skirts that were a better quality. For the whole conversation she kept referring to her daughter who attended The Boston Ballet School. She kept going on and on about her; it eventually got very annoying. I did end up with some nice quality stuff though, and they did give me a 10% discount. I think the owner of the store was a very nice woman, but the employee that she had working today was very rude. I would probably not go back if I needed more dance supplies.

I came to Dancer’s Image on a friend’s recommendation, and they had all the supplies I needed for my upcoming performance. They were able to accommodate my picky taste on dancewear, and had me try on everything to make sure I got the best fit. Ask for Camille if she’s there.

My visit to this store today renewed my faith in the goodness in people. After an internet search uncovered this as one of the few dance stores open on a Sunday, I went in rather in desperation to find a particular color of dancewear and the owner couldn’t have been more helpful. She quickly identified the problem, took down the particulars, and offered, without being asked, to try to help me to find the specific item. Since I didn’t have an appointment on a busy afternoon, I happily waited for a few minutes while she finished fitting a young dancer for new shoes. While I waited I both perused the merchandise and observed the interactions of others in the store. Regarding the former, while not a dancer myself, it seemed to me that the selection was broad and varied and I suspect that if something was missing from her inventory the owner would be happy to help to locate it as she did for me. Regarding the latter, the interactions I observed were courteous, supportive, and extremely helpful. What I noticed is that the owner and the women who support her are attentive to the respective client who is being served at the time. I find this a rare treat but I suppose it may be in conflict with big box type stores who are all about quick service and customer turnover. I watched as one woman tirelessly went somewhere to fetch every variety of a certain shoe type for a customer and patiently waited while she tried them for size, performing a few dance moves to make sure of the fit. For something as unique as dancewear I would rather have personalized service to help to find the right size, fit, color, etc. than quickly buy the wrong item. I prefer to support small, local businesses, and based on the excellent service that I received, will definitely return for all of our dance gear needs.

I was hesitant to visit this store based on the other reviews, but I needed new ballet shoes and this was the most convenient place. I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. There were two young women working that afternoon and one cheerfully greeted me and asked what she could help me find. I explained that I was looking for leather split sole ballet flats, and she quickly started pulling options. She was extremely patient as I tried on literally all of the eight leather split sole options they had and did not rush me or pressure me in the least. She was great with helping me figure out the right fit and style. When I settled on a pair, she asked if I wanted her to draw the sewing lines– I’ve never heard of a store doing that! In the end I found the best fitting pair of ballet shoes I’ve had in over 10 years. While they were more expensive than what I could have paid for the same shoes online, the extra cost was worth her guidance and having the chance to try on all the options. Had I just tried to order online I don’t think I would have picked this shoe (and I definitely would have ordered the wrong size).
I took away one star simply because I was not very impressed with the selection of adult size options for leotards and skirts (they seemed to mostly carry child size leotards); Patterson’s definitely offers more for apparel if that is what you’re looking to buy. But if shoes are what you seek, definitely check out this store!

The customer service is HORRIBLE here. The woman working here is such a snob, I really wonder how she is still in business. The clothes and accessories are way too expensive. Please go to other shop in Wellesley or if you get those things on amazon, buy from it. Do not ever try to go there with kids. You and your kids will get worst of worst treatment here. There are NO RETURNS.

I went to Dancer’s Image after learning about it from the dance instructors at Arthur Murray Dance studio, where we are learning a routine for our wedding. I needed practice shoes badly, as regular heels are painfully uncofortable after 45 minutes of dance practice. We had tried Patterson’s first, and I was unimpressed by the cluttered store, slow service, and lack of latin rhythym shoes in my size (women’s size 9.5). Dancer’s Image was a breath of fresh air. We went last Saturday afternoon. The shoe-​section of the store is very well organized, and we had two attendants (inlcuding the owner) helping us immediately. The owner was knowledgable, personable, patient, and professional. Within 30 minutes, I left with a pair of comfortable practice shoes and a pair of sparkling heels that I’ll wear at my wedding! The prices are fair considering what you’ll have to pay anywhere for high-​quality dance shoes. Very happy with Dancer’s Image, and I wish them luck in their expansion projects!

My daughter is in theater and they are doing a musical. She needed dance shoes and I was at a loss. When she was little, I just went to Payless but they did not have her size and for $ 18 (quite frankly) it was crap. A quick search on Unilocal sent me to this store and I am so glad it did.
We stopped in during a very quiet time of day and we serviced with ease and quickly. The ladies took their time with her and made sure the fit was just right. Fifteen minutes later, we walked out with a pair of quality black leather ballet flats for just under $ 20.

So I have been in this place about 4 times now. I don’t know why I went back again. I have never had a good experience in this dance store. Well, I guess I go back because of the location, but that won’t happen again.
I went in this dance store a few days ago to get my daughter some dance attire. When ever you walk in there, you are watched like a ‘hawk’. I have to say that the teens that work there are great. They are respectful and kind, despite that I always see the older workers yelling at them. The teens offer to help, but then back off and let you shop. I appreciate this.
I will share my experience with the adults that work in the store. They are very abrupt and rude at times. One woman she that she would hold the things I had gathered to buy while I continued to look, as she didn’t want me to steal, and took them from me. She said something about people being ‘two handed’. It took me a bit to realize what she said. That was pretty insulting. I did end up asking for help and the woman insisted that the leotards run big and told me that I shouldn’t buy the ones I had in my hand for my daughter. I trusted her opinion and got the smaller ones.
Now their receipt says that there is no refunds and to get store credit you had to go back within 5 days. Of course, none of the clothes fit my daughter. They were all too small. So back I went the next day.
There was a new woman working here then. I saw one of the teens who offered to help and asked if she needed to hold my bag up front or if I should just bring it up when I picked out new sizes. She said it was fine to bring up after. A few minutes later the woman said she had to take the bag and why didn’t I bring it up front. I told her that I already asked. She then went off to yell at the teen. I felt bad. After we picked out our stuff, she tells me that I shouldn’t have got those sizes yesterday, that the leotards all run 1 – 2 sizes too small in a snippy way. My daughters were there then and kind of shocked by the sound of her voice. She then struggled to work the register and started yelling at a teen to help her bag and snapped at everyone around her. We waited for a good 20+ minutes for her to figure things out. She then said that we should have got a discount yesterday, but of course, we didn’t. (for dancing at a local studio) She then said we had money left as credit and did I want to buy nylons. I felt bad for the poor line after us. I said that I’d come back. My daughters were like, «mom, forget the change. We’re not going back there. It is not worth it.»
My other experiences there were the same. You are always stared at, made to feel like they think you will steal from them, snapped at and tried to talk into buying crazy expensive stuff. Before these last two visits, I had forgotten the experience and hoped it had gotten better.
So I will not be returning to this place.
There is a dance place in Wellesley that we liked, that had great employees and apparel. I will definitely return there sometime. It is also a lot less crowded than Dancer’s Image and you could see what is in stock more readily. I have also heard there is a dance place in Burlington. Definitely check one of those places out first. You will have less ‘headaches’ and spend less money most likely.

Really wish I had read the reviews before going to this store. The girl who «helped» us was so cold and snobbish. I brought my 3year old daughter in for ballet accessories, now I do not need people to fawn all over my kids, but a smile would’ve gone a long way to help make her comfortable.
On the way out my daughter asked why the girl that worked there was angry and did not smile… This trip was not worth the 10%off they offer for WRSD students!
And their return policy is way outdated. They only offer store credit on returns… ridiculous.

Rating = 3.5 stars
The store has a pretty good selection of dance, ballet and gymnastics items you or your child may need. I know a lot of people complain about the owner who is snippy but I usually shop in September when classes start and miss dealing with her because the store is so busy. If you shop then you can also get a 10% back to school discount (or 20% if you are buying for a class at the Boston Ballet School a few doors down). The return policy isn’t great — returns within 5 days only with a receipt and store credit only — but it is a locally owned store so it’s to be expected. I find all the other people who work at the store to be friendly and helpful though.

Boston is pretty dead for dance stores, especially if you don’t own a car. I needed something not available online, so I made the trek out to Dancer’s Image.
I can fully see why the negative reviews were written. The owner was fairly civil to me, but she was not treating everyone that nicely. I was expecting some variation of, «Oh, hun, you’re going to need to go up a size or three,» so the bar was pretty low.
The store looks like a pink-​and-​glitter fairy vomited, which isn’t what I’d have chosen for décor, but no big deal. The shop was pretty disorganized, and I would have bought many more items except that the employees couldn’t locate them.
Overall, I’d go back again, but only because I don’t live in New York anymore.

I have gone there with my children for ballet slippers and tap shoes. My kids are casual dancers in an afterschool program, so definitely not the serious dancer types. I found the customer service very friendly and knowledgeable. Unlike almost any shoe store, the people who do the fitting really looked at the girls’ feet, decided what would be the best option and also listened to them when my daughter said it was uncomfortable. I would prefer to spend an extra dollar or two to get shoes fitted correctly than order something on the web.

Worst customer service ever. Don’t even think of returning unless u have receipt, it’s within a week and it’s a full moon. U r beneath the ppl who work there.

I went to Dancer’s Image in search of an outfit for a Beyonce Single Ladies costume. Alyse (I think I’ve spelled it correctly) was amazing. She went far beyond what was required of my request– not only did she help me search for low cost options, but also gave me ideas for how I could alter the leotard to go for the look I wanted. She also gave me helpful information about the different types of leotards and an idea about what kind of tights would work best. Her advice was so helpful!
As another reviewer states, I was also recommended to try on a larger size leotard, but it was made clear that it was only because a specific company made the sizes way too small, and she even apologized (not that she should need to apologize for this company’s design choices). I’d rather her give me a size that will fit rather than having me go through multiple tries.
I’m not even a dancer and was surprisingly pleased at the level of customer service despite the fact that I wouldn’t be a regular customer. Dancer’s Image is a super cute and welcoming store– I had a great experience and would recommend it to anyone.

The woman who owns this store is insane. She is so snobby and her daughters are so great and blah blah blah. If you don’t go to Boston Ballet next door you should not be on pointe shoes, but she’ll sell them to you anyways. You really should try an extra large leotard on sweetie. It’s people like her that give so many dancers complexes about their weight.
Ugh.
delivers my dance shoes to my door and the mailman doesn’t judge me when he drops them off.
Please go to Capezio in Wellesley, ask for Lynne.

I’ve been dancing for 15 years now so believe me when I say I have been in and out of this store my entire life. It’s the closest dance store to Watertown so despite my extreme dislike for the women who work there, I pretty much go there for everything I need. Not only are the workers rude and snobby, they will convince you to buy the most random things in their store that you will never need. The only positive thing I will say is, they will fit you better for shoes (especially pointes) than any other store on the planet.