Tango Shoe stores in NY

[Shannon]

Does anyone know of any stores that sell AT shoes in NY City? I'll be there from June 11-14 and was hoping to purchase some shoes while in town. If my work schedule lightens up, I might even get a chance to use them.

[alemana]

World Tone

230 7th Avenue (between 23rd and 24th Streets), 2nd floor. 212-691-1934.

[Shannon]

Thanks Alemana. Their website appears to be busted so I'll have to call, glad you provided the number.

It appears there are a few tango dances on Sunday evening. I might be able to make one of those.

[jerblu]

Worldtone has excellent dance shoes. I have used them several times in the past.

[Twirly]

I believe Jennifer Bratt sells shoes from Comme Il Faut, if you want something a little less traditional. Have a look at www.close-embrace.com

[Grimmeh]

I went to World Tone based on the recommendation of this thread. I saw prices ranging from $90 (on sale) to $140 (the shoes I wanted). What makes the more expensive shoes better? Obviously the material, but what else? And do the more expensive shoes last longer?

[AATanguera]

I don’t think a high price is the best indicator of well-made. You have to try out a lot of shoes to see what works for you. A high price can be the result of exchange rates, availability, styling, and marketing – none of which guarantees well-made or comfort.

I bought my Comme Il Faut shoes in Buenos Aires for 180 or 220 pesos, which is $60-73 US because of the current favorable exchange rate. If you get this brand in the US, they are probably selling at double the price. I got a pair of Neotango shoes in BsAs on the clearance rack for 99 pesos ($33 US). Both are brands designed in BsAs and known for fancy, unusual, and beautiful styling, and if you buy them in the US, they’re likely to cost between $150-$180. I have a pair of Tara shoes, designed by a US company but made in Uruguay, and I paid about $150 US. The Taras are not fancy-looking but they’re comfortable, so I dance in them for hours, and not the others.

As to quality, I have one friend who can only wear by Comme Il Fauts because she has tiny feet and few manufacturers make her size. However, she has one pair of Comme Il Fauts that stretched so much after 5 wearings that she can no longer wear them. I think styles with thin straps across the front of the foot probably have that tendency to stretch regardless of the brand, and as there’s not much material to surround your foot, once it's stretched, they’re not useable.

Not sure that this is helpful, but you have to try on a lot of shoes to find a pair that works for you.

[Grimmeh]

No, that was definitely helpful. Thank you.

[Shannon]

Thanks for recommending World Tone. It is a great store. I wish we had something like it in the Baltimore/DC area.