FAQs

FAQs

Wondering something? Find answers here!

What are my payment options?

Our online payment options include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Allegro (Europe) gift cards. At our store location we also accept Multibanco and cash, in addition to Visa and Mastercard. 

What is your return/exchange policy?

At Allegro, we do everything we can to ensure you are happy with your purchase, but we know that sometimes a product is just not right. We’ve made our return policy as easy as possible.

Within 30 Days - You must request a return within 30 days of the product being shipped to you. Returns must be shipped back to our warehouse within 7 days of receiving your return label. 

Includes original packaging and product in new condition - Any returned product(s) must be returned in all of their original packaging, and in like-new condition. All products must be unwashed, unworn, and not sewn (if applicable). Allegro may reject the returned product if there is damage to the product and/or product packaging. All hangtags must be attached to the garment and proof of payment must accompany the garment(s) at time of return.

If a product is deemed unfit for return, Allegro will notify the customer that the return has been rejected and no refund will be issued to the customer. The customer can choose one of the following options:

  1. The product will be shipped back to the customer at a shipping cost of 30€ ; or
  2. The product will be recycled.

If you do not select one of the above options within 14 days of Allegro informing you that your return has been rejected, the product will be recycled.

Instructions for Returns

As long as your return adheres to the requirements described above, follow these steps to return your product(s):

  1. Please email us at: geral@allegrodanceboutique.com
  2. After reviewing your request, we will email you a return authorization code. Please print this number and securely attach it to a suitable shipping carton. 

We will receive and review the products you have returned. If the returned products have met all of our return policy requirements, we will process the refund and send you a confirmation email. We are only able to credit the original credit card used to make the purchase. Please allow up to 8 business days for this process.

If you have any questions or concerns about making a return, feel free to contact the us at geral@allegrodanceboutique.com 

Are there any items that can’t be returned/exchanged?

PPE Products, tights, underwear, sale and clearance items, and gift cards are final sale. Once tights have been tried on, they are considered used. Because it is impossible to tell whether or not a package of tights has been opened or not, we do not accept tights for return, so that we are sure to not be selling used tights to our customers. Similarly, we don't take returns on underwear. We know big businesses like Victoria's Secret do, but we, frankly, think that's a little gross. We want to sell you underwear that has never been worn.

Do you have a size chart?

We sell far too many brands for one size chart to work for them all. If you would like to see a size chart please, send us an email at geral@allegrodanceboutique.com and we can locate the chart for the particular brand you're interested in. Please keep in mind that all manufacturer size charts are meant as guides, and that sizes may vary by style. 

Can you tell me when new products or special promotions are announced?

To find out what is happening locally at our store in Braga, Portugal, follow us on Facebook or Instagram

To stay up to date on the latest products and events online for European customers, follow us on Facebook or Instagram 

If you would like to see what is going on at our American stores, follow Allegro US on Facebook  or Instagram and visit our US website

What is the optimum way to care for dancewear?

Most of the items in our shop list care instructions on the tag and can generally be washed warm and put in the dryer. For longer lasting garments however, we recommend dancewear be washed in cold water and then hung or laid flat to dry. We’re speaking from years of combined dance experience here! Another tip: Do not use fabric softener, as this will inhibit the fabric's wicking abilities (if it has any).

How many locations do you have?

We have three Allegro locations, one in Evanston, Illinois, USA, our second in Barrington, Illinois, USA, and our third in Braga, Portugal. 

Where are you located? What is the best way to get to your store?

Allegro has 3 store locations across 2 continents. We have two locations in the Chicagoland area in America, and one location in the Braga area of Portugal, Europe.

Our newest Allegro location is in Braga, Portugal. Our store is located near downtown Braga, between the old town and the new shopping malls. There is ample free street parking on Rua Padre Manuel Alaio behind the building.

The first Allegro location is on Central Street, Evanston's premier shopping corridor. Central Street is a tree lined street north of Downtown Evanston, filled with lots of other great independent boutiques and businesses. We are located just 2 blocks west of the Metra (Union Pacific/North Line) Central Street station and less than 1 mile west of the Central Street Purple Line El stop. There is metered parking along the street as well as a metered parking lot across the street from Allegro. View map 

Our second Allegro location is in Barrington, IL. We are located in the heart of the Downtown Barrington Village shopping area, which is also filled with lots of other great independent boutiques and businesses. There is plenty of parking on the street and in parking areas maintained by the Village. We are also only a block away from the Metra (Union Pacific/Northwest Line) Barrington Station.

Do you offer discounts?

We hold many sales throughout the year that you can find out about by following  @allegroeurope on Facebook and Instagram. On a daily basis, we offer a professional discount for dance teachers and active professionals. 

Do you carry stuff for adults?

Yes! In fact, most of our boutique is full of adult sized clothing. We're proud to be "not your average dance store," offering products that advanced dancers truly need and want for class. We have gained a reputation for offering a bigger "fashion" leotard selection than many other dance stores, mostly because we're run by all dancers, and we're simply leotard addicts ourselves. Our child size clothing runs from size 2-14, and our adult sized clothing goes up to XL in most styles. 

Why are some items only available in the Allegro store and not from Allegro online?

What sets Allegro apart is our customer experience. Our talented team is comprised of 100% dancers, and they are here to not only help you to find just the right products, but to be your partners in dance. Whether that means picking out a leotard that is flattering for your body shape, teaching you how to break in your pointe shoes, suggesting a new dance class to try, or recommending just the right pair of leg warmers, we're here to help. However, not everyone can visit our store so we have made many of our selections available to you online. We are proud of our ever-changing selection of merchandise at Allegro - some styles are here and gone so quickly it just wouldn't make sense to put them online. We do try to make available online as many selections as possible.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes! You can purchase a gift card in person at the boutique in Braga, Portugal, or online by searching for "gift card." Treat your gift card like cash as it cannot be replaced. Gift Cards are final sale.

What is Allegro's mission statement?

Improve the lives of dancers by providing them high quality products, exceptional customer service, and an environment as beautiful as what they do.

And vision?

Re-imagine the dance retail experience.

What are Allegro’s core values?

We were so inspired after reading "Delivering Happiness" by Tony Hsieh during our Allegro Book Club, we created our own core values, many of which we decided were perfect for us as is.

Here are Allegro's 10 guiding priciples:

  1. Facilitate self-expression

  2. Choreograph beautiful customer experiences

  3. Pursue growth and learning

  4. Seek to inspire and be inspired

  5. Embrace and drive change

  6. Do more with less

  7. Have a passion for winning

  8. Be friendly and fun, but professional

  9. Build a positive team and family spirit

  10. Work hard, go above and beyond

Where did the Allegro name and logo come from?

First started in 1993, the original name of the business was “Before the Ballet.” Under new ownership in 2007, we knew we wanted to change the name. We held a “Rename the Store” contest with our customers in 2008, and "Allegro" was the winning entry made by local dancer, Jennifer Nakashima. The winning tagline entry, "apparel for bodies in motion" came from an anonymous entry, alongside the store name suggestion, Kinetic Couture (although we loved this name too, we didn't think the items in our boutique could technically be called "couture"). 

Our logo was designed by talented Portugal-based designer, Rui Rodrigues from Qoob Design Studio

What should I do if I want to purchase pointe shoes?

Allegro strongly recommends only ordering pointe shoes online if you have already been fit in those shoes previously. If you have never had pointe shoes or are looking to try a new style of pointe shoes that you have never worn before, please come into the store for a fitting. If you would like to come into Allegro for a pointe shoe fitting, please call us in advance and keep in mind the following:

  • Please allow about an hour for your fitting, although you may be done sooner if you are coming for a quick replacement or know exactly what you want to try.
  • Please bring your old pointe shoes, your current toe pads, and any accessories you wear inside your shoes. Please also wear a pair of convertible tights if possible.
  • Make sure your toenails are trimmed, but try not to cut them the day of the fitting, as this can cause sensitivity and will affect your perception of fit.
  • Please show your pointe shoes to your teacher for approval BEFORE sewing on ribbon and elastics. Shoes may not be returned once they have been sewn.

Recommended items for first-time pointe students:

  •  Mesh bag for proper shoe storage and care
  •  Lambswool for extra comfort, and adjustment as your shoe breaks in
  •  Stitch kit/Sewing tube for sewing your shoes
  •  Toe Wrap to protect your toes
  •  Footsie roller because your feet are going to be sore!

Special information for first-time pointe fittings:

Congratulations on being approved for pointe! Fitting appointments for beginners are a must. Your first pointe shoe fitting is very special, and we want to give you the full Allegro experience! We’re so excited about your accomplishment and want to have the time to teach you what to expect and how to sew and care for both your shoes and your feet. We strongly recommend coming into the store for a fitting, rather than ordering your first pair of pointe shoes online. 

  • Please allow 60-90 minutes for your first pointe shoe fitting. It is to your benefit to try several different kinds of shoes before we find one that is right for you. Every foot and every dancer is different.
  • Before getting pointe shoes, you MUST have the approval of your ballet teacher. Pointe shoes are not for beginning ballet students!
  • Please consult with your teacher beforehand to get any specific suggestions about pointe shoe brands and toe pads.
  •  Wear a pair of tights if possible and something you can move in.
  •  Make sure your toenails are trimmed, but try not to cut them the day of the fitting, as this can cause sensitivity and will affect your perception of fit.