Dyeing Satin shoes

[Katarzyna]

What are your thoughts on dying shoes to match the costume. Flesh tone satin shoes create longer leg lines, but would you recommend dying white satin shoes to match a light pink gown? My partner is strongly set against it, but I've seen it done by quite a few top pro ladies... Any thoughts?

[Laura]

The fashion for the past few years has been to wear skin-toned shoes, with the exception being if your dress was white or pastel. In this case, some people dye their shoes to match. But only do it if you have dainty feet and impeccable footwork. The light shoes will make your feet look bigger, and will draw attention to your feet and therefore your footwork.

[Katarzyna]

Thank you Laura!

My gown is a very light pastel pink, and I was able to get an extremaly good price on white satin shoes. I am debating if I should dye them to match or not. My footwork is definitely not perfect, but dyeing them in flesh color seems a bit like a waste... I am not sure, I still have another new pair of flesh tone shoes for competitions, but I have to make the decision sooner or later.

[twnkltoz]

The nice thing about flesh toned shoes is that they go with everything! When you get rid of the pink dress, what will you do with pink shoes?

[Chris Stratton]

My partner is strongly set against it, but I've seen it done by quite a few top pro ladies... Any thoughts?

Since when was that a factor?

You could always tell him your sister spilled cranberry juice on them and this was the best you could do to wash it out.

[Laura]

The nice thing about flesh toned shoes is that they go with everything! When you get rid of the pink dress, what will you do with pink shoes?

Dye them some dark color (purple if you're feeling funky, black if not) and use them for social dancing and/or practice.

[Chris Stratton]

I don't think women with the discipline to practice in court shoes have any trouble with them outlasting their interst in a dress, or at least any trouble finding a way to use up the remaining life in a color-orphaned pair.

[Katarzyna]

The nice thing about flesh toned shoes is that they go with everything! When you get rid of the pink dress, what will you do with pink shoes?

With what I spent on the gown, the shoes will DEFINITELY be outlived

[Katarzyna]

My partner is strongly set against it, but I've seen it done by quite a few top pro ladies... Any thoughts?

Since when was that a factor?

You could always tell him your sister spilled cranberry juice on them and this was the best you could do to wash it out.
Chris,
This sounds like a pretty good idea.... My sister does things like that :D

[twnkltoz]

See, this is how long it's been since I've worn "real" dance shoes for social dancing or practice...I always wear practice shoes because my feet are so bad! It didn't even occur to me that you could use court shoes for that. :)

[Laura]

Hahhaa, it's the opposite for me: I was spending so much money in the search for the 'perfect' dance shoe that I stopped buying practice shoes and just used up all my comp shoes or "not so bad that I can't dance in them but not what I want to wear in a comp" test shoes.

[Katarzyna]

I never practice in anything but court shoes.. I wore practice shoes couple of times at social, but I never wear them to practice...

[pygmalion]

Are you saying the shoes had better be worn out long before that expensive gown? :wink: :lol: Understood.

I've know some people who had shoes re-dyed. It works best if the second dye job is a darker color than the first, but either way, it's another option. *shrug*

[Katarzyna]

I usually wear out a pair every 2-3 months... When I wear them out, they have holes on the toes and the sides... No need to re-dye :D

I guess I don't get that much life out of them, but I practice almost every day for at least 2-3 hours...

[Joe]

I find it much easier to dance with a partner who practices in court shoes. Even if the girl spends a couple of weeks leading up to a comp practicing in the court shoes, if she spends most of the time in practice shoes it's not the same. Her balance is definitely altered--I can feel it--and it affects how I have to dance with her. Unfortunately, it's been six years since I've had a partner who practiced in court shoes.

As far as color, my vote is for flesh. Even with a white dress.

Is KatharineH still dancing with Chris, and if so, why did she have to buy a ballgown?

Edit: Katharine, have you considered trying leather court shoes for practice? From what I hear they last a lot longer than satin.

[Chris Stratton]

Is KatharineH still dancing with Chris, and if so, why did she have to buy a ballgown?

She's not. The ironic thing is we both like her new gown, wheras we could never agree on what direction the next ballgown project would have gone in.

[Katarzyna]

Is KatharineH still dancing with Chris, and if so, why did she have to buy a ballgown?

Edit: Katharine, have you considered trying leather court shoes for practice? From what I hear they last a lot longer than satin.

It was too difficult for us to make the Boston-New York thing work after I got a full time job. I am currently dancing with someone on the NYU team.

I never tried the leather shoes, although I was considering it... I might try them once I wear out my other pairs.... I frequently buy them on ebay. Once every couple of months you can get a brand new pair or Supadance court shoes for 20-30 dollars, and then I take whatever color and fabric is offered... That's why I ended up with white satin ones.

[Chris Stratton]

I frequently buy them on ebay. Once every couple of months you can get a brand new pair or Supadance court shoes for 20-30 dollars

Better hope none of the other DF ladies have your shoe size.

[Katarzyna]

Is KatharineH still dancing with Chris, and if so, why did she have to buy a ballgown?

The ironic thing is we both like her new gown, wheras we could never agree on what direction the next ballgown project would have gone in.
You could not dislike my new one, it's soooo beautiful :D :D :D
It's not perfect, but in my mind it pretty much is.

[Katarzyna]

Better hope none of the other DF ladies have your shoe size.

I doubt it, everyone else has pretty little feet...

[Gumby]

Katherine - try duct tape to get an extra month or two out of your court shoes. One piece on the inside and a couple of overlapping pieces on the outside - it really works. Looks a bit odd of course but do we really care?

[Katarzyna]

I will think about it... Doesn't it affect how the shoe feels on the floor. Doesn't it become sticky in any way? When I use up the suade on my heel and I don't have extra with me, I usually put some tape on. It protects my heels for half a practice, but it feels really strange on the floor

[Warren J. Dew]

Unfortunately, it's been six years since I've had a partner who practiced in court shoes.
Joe, you're just not picky enough!

Seriously, there are some lace up practice shoes out there with slim heels of a competition height that have almost the toe box comfort of coaching ('practice') shoes, and dance a lot more like court shoes. They can be a good compromise. (Fortunately for me I don't have to compromise!)

[Chris Stratton]

And we all know how much Warren likes to practice in court shoes ;-)

[Gumby]

Sorry was I mis understanding? - I don't use duct tape on the bottoms - just the tops (or sides or what ever) I have had some pretty good size holes in the sides of my shoes. I just use short pieces and sort of paper mache it together.

Its funny I never mind shelling out the big bucks for lessons or coaching but I really resist buying new shoes till my old ones are about dead.

[Chris Stratton]

Sorry was I mis understanding? - I don't use duct tape on the bottoms - just the tops (or sides or what ever) I have had some pretty good size holes in the sides of my shoes. I just use short pieces and sort of paper mache it together.

As someone who used to have the honor of rebuilding Katherine's shoes with superglue on the sidelines at competitions, I'd point out that the problem usually involves both the upper and the sole. For duct tape to really work, for that, it would almost have to be wrapped around the entire toe, with the sole then somehow glued back on top of the tape. I did actually think about making up some sort of fabric toe cover and installing it under the sole in that way when we were waiting for a repeatedly delayed shoe delivery.

[Katarzyna]

Sorry I misunderstood you a bit... Perhaps I was thinking that the shoes will have to be taped on the buttom because I use pointed toe shoes, and the holes usually develop right at the tip of the shoes . There is not much space to cover the pointed toe unless you tape it on the buttom as well...??? I think...???

[Kitty]

Edit: Katharine, have you considered trying leather court shoes for practice? From what I hear they last a lot longer than satin.

I have leather court shoes and I love them. After half a year (no, I don't practice every day for 3 hours) they still look fine. They are grey on the sides and on the toe now, but it doesn't look so bad since they are not shiny and not a bright color. Since they are flesh colored they also go with anything. And they are cheaper. I practice in the and I compete in them.

I also don't prefer the look of satin ones, I'm fine with leather. (I'm the only person I know who prefers leather.)

[tasche]

Unfortunately, it's been six years since I've had a partner who practiced in court shoes.
Joe, you're just not picky enough!

Seriously, there are some lace up practice shoes out there with slim heels of a competition height that have almost the toe box comfort of coaching ('practice') shoes, and dance a lot more like court shoes. They can be a good compromise. (Fortunately for me I don't have to compromise!)

I have a super dance pair like the ones you talking about but the heels are still too chunky for me especially since I prefer slim heeled court shoes

[Katarzyna]

I never tried leather ones . I own leather 2 inch practice shoes, but I only wear them to socials when I am not sure if I will dance standard or latin...

I do prefer the satin look. For practice it doesn't really matter what material it is made of, but for comps I don't think I would use leather ones... Most of the shoes I purchased pretty cheaply so I can't complain about the price. (Except for the 4 pairs my partner brought for me from the UK :evil: )

[twnkltoz]

I find it much easier to dance with a partner who practices in court shoes. Even if the girl spends a couple of weeks leading up to a comp practicing in the court shoes, if she spends most of the time in practice shoes it's not the same. Her balance is definitely altered--I can feel it--and it affects how I have to dance with her. Unfortunately, it's been six years since I've had a partner who practiced in court shoes.


I practiced in court shoes until they ruined my feet. When I was in constant pain every day of my life, even when I hadn't danced in several days, my doctor diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis. It's been about two years, and I'm finally just now getting over it...it only flares up when I have a particularly long day on my feet. So, practice shoes are a necessity for me. Ladies' dance shoes are terrible for your feet.

[Katarzyna]

What exactly is plantar fasciitis?

[twnkltoz]

It's a swelling in the tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot. Very painful! Constant pain in the foot, when you wake up in the morning they tend to be really stiff (the tendons contract overnight) and have to be stretched out before you can really walk. I had it in both feet, along the whole foot.

[Katarzyna]

I think I should take care of my feet more.. I guess constant pain is not normal...

[Chris Stratton]

I think I should take care of my feet more.. I guess constant pain is not normal...

And you would blame this on the 3" dance shoes, or the 4" street shoes?

[Katarzyna]

I went down to 2.5 inches for dancing :D You know my partner likes me shorter....

They only hurt after hours of practice, the pain goes away when I don't practice that much, so it must be the dance shoes...

[Kitty]

I should get 2 inch dance shoes, thats my goal... I would look a lot better when I have better balance, and I'm dreaming of how easy the dancing would be in smaller heels. (My latin shoes are 3 inches right now)

[twnkltoz]

I think some pain is expected and reasonable, as long as it goes away! One thing that's helped me tremendously is foot reflexology...foot rubs, basically. I have a friend who's trained in it, and we trade lessons for reflexology!

[Katarzyna]

This sounds like a good idea... I need to find someone willing to do something like this....


I went to a chiropractor last week per my partner's request.. Very interesting... strange experience.. :shock:

[DancingMommy]

I should get 2 inch dance shoes, thats my goal... I would look a lot better when I have better balance, and I'm dreaming of how easy the dancing would be in smaller heels. (My latin shoes are 3 inches right now)

I had to move down from 3" to 2" when I met/married my partner/husband. If I wear 3" heels, I am taller than him, lol! 2" and I'm nose to nose - which is ok, lol! I miss my 3" heels, but my back soure doesn't!!!

[Katarzyna]

i still wear 3 inches when I do latin... very raraly though. Not enough time to do everything

[Kitty]

I went to a chiropractor last week per my partner's request.. Very interesting... strange experience.. :shock:

You partner request? Why did he want you to go?

[Katarzyna]

Because my left hand doesn't want to go to proper position in tango... :shock: :(

[Joe]

Unfortunately, it's been six years since I've had a partner who practiced in court shoes.
Joe, you're just not picky enough!

Seriously, there are some lace up practice shoes out there with slim heels of a competition height that have almost the toe box comfort of coaching ('practice') shoes, and dance a lot more like court shoes. They can be a good compromise. (Fortunately for me I don't have to compromise!)
Actually Julie did wear those the last couple of years we danced together. I think it helped a lot, although it's not perfect. The heel on those lace-ups is still something like 3 times bigger than a standard slim-heel.

[Elizabeth]

Unfortunately, it's been six years since I've had a partner who practiced in court shoes.
Joe, you're just not picky enough!

Seriously, there are some lace up practice shoes out there with slim heels of a competition height that have almost the toe box comfort of coaching ('practice') shoes, and dance a lot more like court shoes. They can be a good compromise. (Fortunately for me I don't have to compromise!)
Actually Julie did wear those the last couple of years we danced together. I think it helped a lot, although it's not perfect. The heel on those lace-ups is still something like 3 times bigger than a standard slim-heel.

On the Supadance ones that's true. There was another brand out there that had lace ups with a real slim heel, but it was still only 2". I have no idea if they still make them, but the were the Czarinas by Elegance. Really, court shoes are the best thing to practice in unless you're injured or something.

On the original topic, I think flesh colored shoes for standard are an abomination. :P

[Katarzyna]

On the original topic, I think flesh colored shoes for standard are an abomination. :P

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Joe]

What--and pastel pink isn't? :P

[mamboqueen]

Pastel pink is "in" these days. And besides, you never know when you might be asked to be a bridesmaid *LOL*

Elizabeth: What is the standard color for standard? Same for smooth? Geez, I have big feet (good levers, I'm told - ha ha!) and figured the nude would make them less, shall we say, conspicuous.

Generally, I'm a "go with what everyone's doing" kinda gal, but part of me resists and thinks creating a personal style that's different is kind of *******ing.

[pygmalion]

I have an assortment of pink peau de soie shoes from my bridesmaid experiences. Too bad they're not dance shoes. :( Which makes me wonder out loud. Why are dyeable dance shoes satin, but dyeable other shoes peau de soie? (Peau de soie looks and feels kind of like crepe. Definitely not satin.)