Alexialoox
New Member
I’m just starting out ballroom how do I pick shoes I know theirs different heel sizes but what’s the difference? and where can I get good affordable shoes ?
How do I buy shoes
- Thread starter Alexialoox
- Start date
opendoor
Forum Master
Hi Alex, I don't know if you are leading or following. That would make a big difference concerning heel size. Usually followers choose their heel hight first, and then the leader has to react. At socials, I (leader) always have shoes along with different heel hight so that I can adapt to my followers.
And of course styles play a role. If you are interested in latin, salsa, or tango there are heel sizes up to 10cm. Many women turn it into a real cult. I was already walking past illuminated glass cabinets when visiting my dance partners!
bia
Forum Master
Your best bet for your first shoes will be to find a dancewear store that sells ballroom shoes. It will be so much easier if you can try them on. If you do have to order them online, make sure it's somewhere with a good return policy. If you are a follower (assuming no foot issues), you could start out with a heel anywhere from 1.5" to 2.5", depending on your comfort with heels generally. Don't go any higher. One good brand for relatively affordable shoes (around $60) is "Very Fine"; they're pretty widely available. To start out with, you can wear one kind of shoe for all dances; in that case, I'd tend to recommend an open-toe latin/rhythm/salsa/practice shoe, preferably with either a strap around the arch or a t-bar to add security, rather than just an ankle strap.
A closed-toe two-part (smooth) shoe would also work.
If you ever compete, you'll want shoes in tan satin, but leather lasts longer and stretches more comfortably, and for learning, practice, and social dancing, you can decide whether you prefer tan or black or some other fun color, if available.
Make sure they fit snugly (though not painfully); you should have less room in them than in street shoes.
That's the long answer. The short answer would have been to ask your teacher. That's still a good idea in terms of finding local resources.
A closed-toe two-part (smooth) shoe would also work.
If you ever compete, you'll want shoes in tan satin, but leather lasts longer and stretches more comfortably, and for learning, practice, and social dancing, you can decide whether you prefer tan or black or some other fun color, if available.
Make sure they fit snugly (though not painfully); you should have less room in them than in street shoes.
That's the long answer. The short answer would have been to ask your teacher. That's still a good idea in terms of finding local resources.
Alexialoox
New Member
Alexialoox
New Member
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open_mind
Active Member
And whatever you do, don’t fall for advice to get shoes “half a size smaller than your regular shoe size”. That’s such a lie that almost every ballroom shoe salesman would tell you. In the very beginning, I danced in shows that were too small for me for about a year thinking I should eventually get used to them. My feet hurt so badly, but I paid good money for the shoes and was determined to get my money worth. From that point, I didn’t listen to that sales pitch and always was getting shoes that felt comfortable right from the beginning, my regular street shoes size. That took some arguing with the sales lady every time.