Guide To Ballroom Dance Shoes

You never miss an episode of Dancing With The Stars and you've been tempted to sign up for a class or two yourself. You love the sequins, spangles, spandex and. . .oh those beautiful shoes! Come on guys, you know you've always secretly wanted to don a pair of Cuban heeled dance shoes of your own! When the dance fever strikes, what should you look for?

What's the difference between a dedicated dance shoe and a fashion shoe you find in the local mall?

1. Soles - The first and most important difference is found on the bottom of the shoes. Dance shoes are specially designed with suede non-
slip soles. They provide traction on slippery highly polished dance floors and are not meant to be worn outside.

2. Support - Ballroom dance shoes are constructed with a sturdy metal shank in the arch to give firm support.

3. Fit - Unlike street shoes you wear every day, ballroom shoes are meant to fit snugly but not tightly.

4. Stretch - Much like some fashion shoes, dance shoes will stretch. They are meant to.

5. Feel - Fashion shoes, even strappy ones, can often feel stiff and heavy. Dance shoes are just the opposite and are designed to be
flexible and lightweight so you can arch your foot and point your toes with ease. They are made of soft leather or fabric which hugs the
foot comfortably, moving with you so you have better control over your turns and precision moves.

Ballroom dance shoes come in three varieties: Latin, Standard and Practice.

Latin Dance Shoes

Ladies - A typical latin dance shoe used to perform the Tango, Salsa and Samba are open toed sandals with a high heel about 2-1/2 or
3" high. It should fit so that your toes reach the very end of the shoe and no sole is visible.

Men - Usually a black leather tie shoe with a Cuban style heel about 1-1/2" in height.

Standard Dance Shoes - also known as Modern or Court Dance Shoes

Ladies - Sometimes referred to as Smooth dance shoes, these are usually closed toe pumps with high heels. Very often they are made
of satin and either coordinate with the color of the ball gown or are flesh toned to extend the look of your leg for a more graceful
impression. To accomodate the backward movement required by the Viennese Waltz and similar dances, the heels of a
standard ladie's dress shoe will be more centered under the heel when compared to a Latin shoe.

Men - Sometimes mistaken for a regular dress shoe, men's standard dance shoes are most often black oxford style laced shoes sporting
a heel similar to a street shoe but featuring a suede sole.

Practice Ballroom Shoes

Ladies - practice shoes come in lots of varieties and styles. You can choose from a soft leather Oxford similar to a men's standard
dance shoe, a low heeled sandal or pump or even a ladie's dance sneaker with suede soles.

Men - an older pair of standard dance shoes is often worn for practice or some men prefer a dance sneaker. Because they are formed
with a much higher arch than most shoes, it is recommended that men wear a dance sneaker two sizes larger than their usual
street shoe size.

Whether you are performing a graceful Vienniese Waltz or a sexy Latin Salsa, your ballroom dancing shoes are an extension of the dance itself. They should fit you snugly.

As if you were putting a glove on your foot, ballroom shoes should not be overly tight. Your toes should fit comfortably in the toe box as close to the end of the shoe as possible without extending over the edge or rubbing up against the sides or top of the shoe.

Your foot should definitely not slide around within the shoe. If it does, you risk losing your balance and getting blisters. Try a half size smaller if you find yourself sliding within.

Generally, your ballroom dance shoe will be the same size as your American street shoe size. There will be exceptions to this as manufacturer's designs can vary. Men's dance sneakers, for example, tend to run smaller than street shoes so gentlemen may wish to try a pair that is two sizes larger.

You do need to practice occasionally in your performance dance shoes so they stretch and conform to your foot. But for every day class or practice a dance sneaker or practice shoe will become your new must have indulgence.

Unlike clunky sneakers you muck around in most times, dance sneakers are constructed to be comfortable and lightweight. They feature air-filled layers of protection and support and a split sole which permits flexibility so you can bend and stretch and arch as the dance requires. Like an athletic shoe, most dance sneakers are also designed to wick away moisture so feet stay soft and dry.

Practice shoes vary according to the dance style. Heels for both men and women tend to be lower so you can endure a longer practice section.

Rule Number 1: Do not get your suede soles wet.

Rule Number 2: Learn Rule Number One.

Rule Number 3: Brush your suede soles with a shoe brush before and after each use to reduce the buildup of wax and dirt from the dance
floor.

Rule Number 4: Do not wear your dance shoes any where besides the dance floor: do not wear on the street! Remember Rule Number 1!

Rule Number 5: Use a damp cloth to spot clean fabric shoes. It is highly recommended that you treat satin and other fabric shoes with
ScotchGuard or a similar fabric protector before their first wear. This will make it easier to clean them later.

Rule Number 6: Use saddle soap or leather polish to keep leather shoes soft, clean and supple.

Rule Number 7: Use silicone polish to keep patent leather shiny and flexible.

Rule Number 8: Seriously? You want more rules? Go dance!

Quality ballroom dance shoes are an investment in both your passion for dance and your health. You can protect that investment and extend the life of your shoes with a couple of inexpensive accessories.

For ladies, heels of dance shoes are styled much like a dress high heel. They are usually capped in plastic which wears down over time. A plastic heel guard fits like a cap over the standard heel cap and helps prevent the heel from breaking or sliding. As the plastic guard wears down, you simply replace it with a new one. You could also opt for a suede guard, sometimes called "stars". It simply wraps around the heel providing longer lasting wear and better traction.

Everyone should also consider purchasing a drawstring bag to carry your dance shoes to and from practice and performance. This will protect against accidental spills, scrapes and other damage. Remember to brush your suede soles first!