Simply Ballroom Dance Studio

Dance Clothing And Shoes

What To Wear?
The dress codes for dance events range widely, but however casual or dressy the event, you'll want to choose clothes that are both easy to dance in and kind to your partner.
Shoe Options
It's important to choose appropriate shoes for ballroom dancing. Let's compare the pros and cons of various dance-shoe options, including rubber-soled shoes (ugh!), leather-soled street shoes, Swing shoes, dance sneakers, and ballroom dance shoes.

What is the difference between dance shoes and street shoes?
There are a lot of differences between dance shoes and street shoes. The shoes worn in ballrooms are different from the shoes you are used to wearing. Dance shoes are lightweight and better constructed to take the pounding and spins that a dancer gives to them.

The most important difference is in the sole. Most street shoes have rubber or sometimes thick leather soles. The leather sole used on street shoes is too slick and will not provide you with the kind of traction you need on dance floors. In addition, it can be dangerous performing spins or turns with leather soles since you run the risk of slipping. Ballroom dance shoes have very thin suede sole that makes it easier for the dancers to feel the floor.

The thinness allows the dancer to have a more direct contact, and therefore, better feel of the floor. The suede allows the dancers to both slide freely and yet retain some grip on wooden dance floors. By wearing shoes with a suede sole, you can feel the floor and understand your balance in a better and more comfortable way. In a ladies' shoe, there is a steel shank welded to a steel rod in the heel so that dance shoe heels can support much more weight and pressure than ordinary street shoes. With street shoes we have to carry all of our weight on our toes, but with this special design for dance shoes ladies can use their whole foot while dancing.

The other main difference is in men's shoes. Unlike regular dress shoes, ballroom shoes tend to be more flexible, allowing the foot to bend more easily. A street shoe does not have the same flexibility and is usually made to bend according to the movement of your foot when walking. Dance shoes will allow you the flexibility you need in order to withstand hours of dancing without discomfort.

Why do I need dance shoes? Dance shoes are very helpful for control and obtaining better performance. One can go for a while using regular street shoes, but once a dancer wants to reach a certain level of performance proper dance shoes make a world of difference.
Dance shoes are made to be lightweight, flexible, yet supportive enough for balance and control of movement. Dance shoe are an extension of your body and can therefore help create a better bodyline and technical appearance. In addition, dance shoes will give you better posture, placing your center more over the balls of your feet, rather than back. Other features found in dance shoes include specially designed straps for added support and style, a soft and seamless leather lining, and suede sole.
How can I choose my dance shoes? BALLROOM SHOES For men, the big difference is in the heel. Standard shoes have a low 1” heel, like a standard dress shoe. Latin shoes, however, have a heel height of 1.5”. For women, Latin and rhythm shoes are often high in heel height and open-toed. The heel is usually tall and thin. The shoes come in various colors, and some styles are strappy and sexy. They generally look like sandals.

There are also some dance shoes that come with lower, wider heel area. Some women find the full-sized heel to be more stable and therefore more comfortable for general dancing, especially for Salsa and Swing dancing. Most women also find that ballroom shoes are so well made that even the pointy-heel models are stable and comfortable.

In women's shoes, you face the choice of straps as well. A strap that comes around or across the top of your foot is recommended for most dancers as it provides the most support. SWING SHOES If you see people wearing what look like two-tone wing tips, either black-and-white or brown-and-white, they're wearing special shoes for Swing dancing. They are very popular among the hard-core Swing and Lindy Hop dancers, especially the dancers who like to wear the retro costumes. They are said to be very comfortable for a long night of Swing dancing because of their lightweight.

DANCE SNEAKERS For classes and informal dance venues, you might try the dance sneaker. It is a comfortable sneaker built for dancers, with a rubber-compound split sole that includes a turning spot under the ball of your foot. It dances quite well, and dancers from all traditions tend to love it. It looks good, and you can wear it on the street as well as the dance floor.

Selection Criteria for Ballroom Shoes

Shoes should be chosen not only for appearance but also for comfort, support, performance, and protection. Some ballroom dance shoes are built poorly. Look out for sharp edges near your ankle and for interior seams that will abrade your foot. Some women prefer closed-toed shoes because they offer a little more protection against being stepped on than do open-toed models, and they shield your toenails from your partner's shoes.

Ladies: if high heels hurt, try adding arch supports, or consider wearing flats. The performance of a shoe depends primarily on its sole. New or well-brushed suede (chrome leather) soles are generally considered to offer just the right degree of traction on a wooden dance floor. More-slippery smooth-leather soles may be found on less expensive ballroom shoes.

Why do I need multiple pairs of shoes? If you are dancing for a long period of time, have at least 2 pairs of shoes and alternate. When you have been dancing for a while, change to a cooler, drier pair of shoes. It makes a difference in how tired your feet and legs can become. Also, each shoe will put pressure on a different part of your foot. This especially applies to ladies shoes, as there are various heel heights.
When should I buy dance shoes?
	Shoes are not required for the dance floor. However, it is highly recommended that you get a pair and get them as soon as possible. The sooner you practice in the shoes, the sooner you'll be comfortable in them. Buying them the week before a competition probably won't give you enough practice time to get used to them. Ballroom shoes will also help you to become a better dancer.

How should I maintain my shoes?
Suede soles are just about ideal on almost every dance floor. They are durable, but they need more care than regular soles. The suede will become wet or oily and lose the properties that make it superior. If you get a pair of shoes, you'll probably want a shoe brush. After each wearing, brush all the debris off the bottom of the shoes. You need to brush them hard enough to remove the dust and dirt.

Try not to press much harder than that, or you'll wear down the suede. To test your shoes, set them on a table and check to see if they still stand in a balanced way on their own. Once the heel cup starts breaking down, the shoe is no longer giving you the support, as it should. Most serious dancers alternate between several shoes. While most beginners are ready to have only one pair of shoes, intermediate dancers should have at least two pairs.

Vendors
	Simply Ballroom dance studio sells several brands of ballroom shoes, talk to our instructors for more information.