Dance Shoe Delirium
or What to Do with So Many Choices?
Let's say you've attended your first social dance lesson, or completed your first series, and you've loved it so far. Fantastic! You got out on the dance floor and gave it a spin - I am so proud of you!
ReMix vintage style dance shoes (photo borrowed from
SwingDance.LA )
Maybe you danced in shoe socks like these (a partial sock that slips over your shoes and makes it possible to spin), or you wore an old pair of shoes worn smooth on the bottom (and are non-marking on lovely wooden dance floors). These are OK for starters. Soon, though, you'll likely be ready to take it to the next level, attending social dances and building your confidence. A good pair of actual dance shoes will help a lot. Look at this way: lessons cost you money and time, right? Wearing a pair of comfortable, well designed dance shoes can give you a big boost, as if you had taken another 6 week series of classes, because every move you make will be more confident and economical.
The cheapest way to compare the difference is to find a friend who wears the same size you do and try them on. If that friend is REALLY trusting, maybe they'll let you borrow them to try out at a dance.* Then you'll know if that shoe really works for you.
Capezio Split Sole dance sneakers come in Mens and Women's sizes
My most useful pair are my Capezio split sole dance sneakers, and this is my #1 recommendation to you. They are durable, fit like your favorite tennis shoes, and can be worn on any surface, including street dances on concrete. Currently I'm on my second pair, having worn them at least once a week for years. I add Superfeet orthodics for extra arch support.
Now for my confession: I am a dance shoe collector. I won't say "addict" because that's a little harsh. Some of my dance shoes are almost as old as I am in dancer terms - that is, I bought them more than 15 years ago. It's also fair to say that different kinds of dance favor different kinds of shoes.
For dress up dancing, nothing that I've tried so far beats smooth leather soles; they are "fast" on smooth floors, and can be slowed down on slick floors by spritzing them with a little water. Some lucky dancers find them in thrift stores, as leather soles were once the standard for shoes.* There is also a vegan version of smooth sole material called "Neolite". If you try this, let me know how your shoes hold up.
And in the practical, comfortable and cute category, professionally made dance tennis shoes are fantastic. You can also make your own pair by gluing suede, also known as "chrome" leather, onto the bottoms of Keds. Lindy hoppers and swing dancers often wear these, even to compete in, and they are my favorites, too. Suede is relatively fragile though, and absolutely should not be worn out on the street.
This article from SwingDance.LA does a terrific job of addressing this topic, and offers lots of links to check out for a closer look at the wide world of dance shoes. There's even a video by Laura Glaess on How to Make Dance Shoes by adding suede to the bottom of your street shoes.
My favorite strategy for buying street shoes is to score twice: find soles that can handle everyday wear AND get some spin action, just in case I stumble on a dance opportunity while out and about, or when I'm traveling and can only bring along a few pair of shoes. Double duty soles are usually made of a harder type of polyurethane, a kind of rubber that has a bit of slide to it, especially after you've worn them down a bit. I have several pairs of Joseph Siebel street shoes , in both fisherman sandals and walking shoes, and they all have this kind of sole. They're comfortable, hold up very well, and are versatile with pants and skirts. They close with either hook-and-eye (velcro) or lace up, so you can wear them with a snug fit for fancy footwork.
How about high heels? Here's my simple guide: if you're new to social dance, wear heels with great caution. You will kick and get kicked, sometimes stepping on other dancers, and heels can be weapons in this way. Ouch!
Heels can be useful for dances like Balboa and Waltz, if you're dancing the "Follow" role, because you'll be up on the balls of your feel much of the time. "Character shoes" are a less expensive version of heels for dancers; they won't last as long, but they can be fine for occasional dress up occasions and performances. My advice is to scope out the dance floor, find shoes you like the look of, and ask the dancer (when they're taking a break) how comfortable they find that pair, and where they found them.
I am the proud owner of several pair of leather-soled high heel shoes, as well as some low heels with suede soles. The high heeled pairs are real pretty, but I don't find them very comfortable, so they have only been worn lightly; I haven't even broken them in properly yet. I'll probably have these same shoes in my collection for the rest of my life. They are a long-term investment. A pair of quality shoes that you take good care of can be repaired, resoled and reheeled at your local cobbler shop.
I hope this was helpful and you find your feet in the perfect pair of dance shoes real soon.
*Shoes do mold to our feet, and break down inside where you can't see it, so in general, I don't recommend wearing used dance shoes. But you might get lucky and find a lightly used pair that fit!
