Ladies Shoes again

[linus]

I am curious about some of the ladies latin shoes I see on-line for sale. Some of them are made by A Very Fine Shoe company and are very reasonable. Has anyone tried any of these shoes?

I also have a comfort issue with my current shoes that have flare heel and wanted to try a straight heel to see if they fit better. Does anyone know what manufacturer carries straight heels in 2.5"?

Thanks for your time...

[Laura]

I think that two people who used to post here also sold Very Fine shoes. If you use the "search" feature in the forums and search for Very Fine, you should be able to see some of the discussions about them in the past. I seem to recall that people thought they were a good social shoe, and a good low-cost beginning competitor shoe. People praised the comfort and the variety of colors and styles available.

[etp777]

Beginner shoe indeed, and I've been happier with some than others. Women I know using their women's lines say same.

That being said, I still wear mine every day and am happyw ith them (at least with the pair I'm wearing now).

[samina]

I seem to recall that people thought they were a good social shoe, and a good low-cost beginning competitor shoe.

first two latins were very fines, used for social dancing/american rhythm & salsa lessons. they served me well. i won't use them for latin anymore tho... will get a completely different style & brand.

[LucyDiamond]

Very Fine's are the only shoes I've found that fit my foot correctly. I can't wear Supadance and some of the other high end dance shoes because the arch is in the wrong place.

[linus]

I researched shoes topic in the forums and didn't realize there is an issue with heel placement on a shoe as well. I must have weak ankles because I seem to 'fall off' my flare heels. I was thinking a straight heel, maybe thicker, would be better. But if there if the heel placement is that important, maybe I should check that first...anyone else experience with heel placement on a shoe?

Thanks!

[and123]

Heel placement definitely makes a difference. A 2.5" heel in one shoe is going to feel very different if shifted forward or back in another shoe. Coincidentally, I tried this fairly recently. Had new shoes that were my "usual" height, but they felt strange. Compared them side-by-side with some old shoes, and the heel tip was in a different place relative to the back of the shoe. Put on one of each shoe and the difference was amazing. Chris Stratton could explain the physics involved.... too brain-dead after a long week to attempt it!:p

[linus]

So which did you find more comfortable to dance in? With heel tip closer to the heel of the shoe or more forward? I have figured skated for more than 10 years so when my pro said I had weak ankles I was shocked. I think I need to investigate this shoe thing more....

[Dancing Fool]

I've only worn the Very Fine practice shoes. Those have been perfect from day one, and I'm on my third pair now. I guess they're good for wide feet.

[waltzgirl]

So which did you find more comfortable to dance in? With heel tip closer to the heel of the shoe or more forward? I have figured skated for more than 10 years so when my pro said I had weak ankles I was shocked. I think I need to investigate this shoe thing more....

I think it's a different kind of ankle strength. In figure skating, your ankles are supported by your boot. In dancing, you need to have strength through the whole range of motion of your ankles.

[wooh]

It depends on what you're dancing. Latin/rhythm your weight will be more forward, so the latin heels will push your weight more onto the balls of your feet. (With most high-end shoes, if they're open toe, are going to be latin.) While smooth/standard shoes will let you rest your weight more over the heel.
I have these really great 2 inch sandals that keep my weight kind of in between where it would be in latin or standard shoes. Great for social dancing where you mix up the styles!

[Mawmaw]

linus,
One thing about Very Fine's flare heel is that they are a thicker more substantail flare than some of the more expensive performance latin shoes. It does provide more stability than the thinner ones. If you do choose a Very Fine shoe to purchase, I would also recommend purching a sole adhesive like "Fast Fix" because about 1 out of 5 VF shoes have problems with the sole coming loose. It is not a big problem if you have the glue and repair it as soon as it happens. I agree that they are very comfortable shoes and I love the many styles and colors available.

Mawmaw

[etp777]

VERY good advice on sole adhesive. think family and I are running maybe 1 in 3 or 4 on these veryfines for needing some glue. Nothing huge, just a bit on an edge, etc.

[danceislove]

I sell Very Fine shoes! I am in the process of getting my website up and running. Until then I am currently selling on ebay and off ebay. I have sold to several DFers.
My website has most of the shoes up. I am pretty sure I have almost everything in my ebay store. Feel free to check both out. If you have any Very Fine questions, please feel free to ask! :D
http://www.limelightshoes.com (http://www.limelightshoes.com/)
http://stores.ebay.com/Limelight-Shoes

[danceislove]

I wanted to address a couple things mentioned here...
Very Fine has four quality levels of shoes (aka lines). There is a HUGE difference between them!

There is the Classic line which is a very basic shoe. Then there are the Party Party, Signature and C Series lines. These three are all wonderful. Most people buy the Classic as they are more common due to the lower price point. The Classic line has fabric inside the shoe that is cut across the toe box and almost always becomes separated from the shoe. Its not well done imo... however the price is great!

The Signature, Party Party and C Series line are made from higher quality materials, have more padding/cushioning, are a million times more flexible, have thinner more stylized heels, better style designs and last much longer!

I hope that answers some questions? Feel free to ask!

[elisedance]

I wanted to address a couple things mentioned here...
Very Fine has four quality levels of shoes (aka lines). There is a HUGE difference between them!

There is the Classic line which is a very basic shoe. Then there are the Party Party, Signature and C Series lines. These three are all wonderful. Most people buy the Classic as they are more common due to the lower price point. The Classic line has fabric inside the shoe that is cut across the toe box and almost always becomes separated from the shoe. Its not well done imo... however the price is great!

The Signature, Party Party and C Series line are made from higher quality materials, have more padding/cushioning, are a million times more flexible, have thinner more stylized heels, better style designs and last much longer!

I hope that answers some questions? Feel free to ask!

Hi DIL: Do any come in wide or extra wide sizes? Or will the company custom make them?

[Mawmaw]

Danceislove I also sell VF shoes in my store. You are right there is a difference in the lines, however I have had the same issues with all lines. I still recommned adhesive. It's not unusual for other more expensive lines to have the same problems. A lot depends on the dance floor too. Smaller comps sometimes have to put up with crappy dance floors with the exposed metal bindings.

We were at a smaller AM comp recently and I think we repaired about 10-15 shoes. Most were VF but there were others too.

Mawmaw

[etp777]

I wanted to address a couple things mentioned here...
Very Fine has four quality levels of shoes (aka lines). There is a HUGE difference between them!

There is the Classic line which is a very basic shoe. Then there are the Party Party, Signature and C Series lines. These three are all wonderful. Most people buy the Classic as they are more common due to the lower price point. The Classic line has fabric inside the shoe that is cut across the toe box and almost always becomes separated from the shoe. Its not well done imo... however the price is great!

The Signature, Party Party and C Series line are made from higher quality materials, have more padding/cushioning, are a million times more flexible, have thinner more stylized heels, better style designs and last much longer!

I hope that answers some questions? Feel free to ask!

Interesting, and I think this may explain why i like my original pair so much better than the new pair I got. First pair of VF I bought was PP301 in black, which i bought because it was cheapest pair of suede soled ballroom shoes local shop had, but I've grown to really like them, and with the wingtip look, tend to be very unique and get comments at comps, socials, etc.

Looks like my second pair was just their classic line, and I am definitely not as happy with them. My biggest complaint, and it seems strange, and I still haven't figured it out, is that the suede on sole seems to be VERY different. No matter how much I brush it, it's still slippery as hell. Also, hard for me to remember for sure after 9 months now, but it seems that the look/feel of it is even noticably different than the party line ones were (of course those are now worn almost smooth, and will need to be resueded before long).

Thanks for the information, danceislove. :)

[danceislove]

Hi DIL: Do any come in wide or extra wide sizes? Or will the company custom make them?

There are some mens styles that come have a wide option. Some women's styles run wider than others, but if you want an actual wide width shoe it is a custom order. Here is the thing though they don't make the sole any wider.... they just give more fabric so that you can fit more foot in there :confused: Makes no sense to me. I ordered a wide pair because I wanted the sole wider so my toe didn't rub on the floor, but this made no difference. If you want more info on the custom orders or wide widths, let me know :)

[danceislove]

Looks like my second pair was just their classic line, and I am definitely not as happy with them. My biggest complaint, and it seems strange, and I still haven't figured it out, is that the suede on sole seems to be VERY different. No matter how much I brush it, it's still slippery as hell. Also, hard for me to remember for sure after 9 months now, but it seems that the look/feel of it is even noticably different than the party line ones were (of course those are now worn almost smooth, and will need to be resueded before long).
Thanks for the information, danceislove. :)

I have found That any of the three higher quality lines (Party Party, C Series or Signature) last much longer and are oh so much more comfortable! To a point where they seem like a different brand of shoes from the Classic line. I too however have noticed the difference with the suede bottoms just in my personal wearing a million different VF shoes over the years. I am not sure what the difference is though. Because yes, some have a rougher nap than others! I'm not sure if this is just random or if it has to do with certain styles or not.

[danceislove]

You are right there is a difference in the lines, however I have had the same issues with all lines. I still recommned adhesive.
Mawmaw

Really? Huh. I have not had this problem with any of my shoes? I'd say I've gone through at least 20 pairs by now. It must have to do with your dancing surface I suppose.

[linus]

Well, I bit the bullet and bought some shoes at my local dance studio Saturday night. I tried on many pairs, as I usually do and finally decided on the Supadance 1401. The Internationals were too narrow and this style of Supadance fit pretty well. My practices shoes are Supadance and I love them!

But to make sure I am not crazy, I tried on the Supadance on one foot and a Dancefeel on the other (which I currently own) and boy oh boy, the difference! Supadance was steady and the Dancefeel, wobbly ankle with heel rocking. I also bought them about 1/2 size smaller than normal; my toe is not off the shoe, but it is a very snug fit. I will have to stretch the satin a bit but I think they are gonna work!

Thanks for all everyones input and I will be investigating the Very Fine too now I know there are different lines.

[elisedance]

There are some mens styles that come have a wide option. Some women's styles run wider than others, but if you want an actual wide width shoe it is a custom order. Here is the thing though they don't make the sole any wider.... they just give more fabric so that you can fit more foot in there :confused: Makes no sense to me. I ordered a wide pair because I wanted the sole wider so my toe didn't rub on the floor, but this made no difference. If you want more info on the custom orders or wide widths, let me know :)

Much as it would be SO much more comfortable to wear men's shoes I think the judges might have an issue..... :)

The sole width point is an important one - it means basically that they only have one last shape - more fabric without a wider sole is just asking for stability and wear problems....

Thanks for the info. :)

[danceislove]

The sole width point is an important one - it means basically that they only have one last shape - more fabric without a wider sole is just asking for stability and wear problems....
Thanks for the info. :)

Yes I was very disappointed to find that out :(

[chica latina]

I just decided to try on a different pair of shoe (same brand- International, same size) but different style and got them from UK. To my surprise the strap closes right where my ankle is... so the metal part will painfully rub my ankle bone.

Any advice?

I have not used them, they are brand new...but I think i waited too long to return them...so i may be stuck with them.

[and123]

Move the buckle catch (or have a professional do it). Just cut the threads, pull out the offending part, move to a more comfortable position, and re-sew into place. You need a strong needle for this, and I usually squirt some glue between the layers before closing off.