Ballroom Dancing
Tips on Buying Shoes
In addition to that perfect partner, proper style, and gleaming smile, you're going to need shoes that are comfortable and look fabulous so you can to strut your stuff on the dance floor. Ballroom dancing is nothing without your feet, and your feet are nothing without your shoes. Before you start picking out styles, here are some general pointers on ballroom shoes. You can go to
Men's Ballroom Shoes for more details about choosing styles.[[Men's Ballroom Shoes|]]
* '''Specialized Soles'''
** Those snazzy pumps or dress shoes in the back of your closet are not called ballroom shoes for a reason. Ballroom shoes have a thin suede sole, as opposed to the smooth leather or rubber of a street shoe.
** This specialized sole allows the dancer to glide over the floor and feel the floor more accurately.
** The suede sole needs special care. You will need a
ballroom shoe brush to clean it properly.
* '''Flexibility'''
** This is very important in practice shoes.
** Just imagine spending hours at a time in practice wearing stiff shoes. You will be crying instead of smiling.
** Be wary not to choose flimsy shoes that are mistaken for flexible shoes. You need something durable to hold up to rehearsals and day to day practice, but that something also needs to be forgiving.
* '''Balance'''
** Especially important for Latin shoes with perilously high heels.
** Make sure you can balance well in your shoes so you can focus on your dancing and not on avoiding a fall!
* '''Color'''
** For practice shoes, obviously, it doesn't matter much what color you pick.
** If you plan to compete, however, most dancers recommend starting out with a skin tone shoe.
*** It will blend with your leg, creating a longer line.
*** It will coordinate with everything.
** If you're a beginner, avoid matching your shoes to your costume, because your costume is likely to change more frequently than your pair of shoes.
