Dance Shoes
A pair of dance shoes are not always required for anyone just starting
dancing. However, it is a good idea to obtain a pair of good dance shoes if
you have been dancing for more than a month. Once you buy a pair of dance
shoes, they may last for your entire dance life. Beginners often try to save the
cost by buying a pair of street shoes, but as s/he is more experienced, s/he
will need to buy a pair of dance shoes anyway. It is a good idea to invest for
them at earliest convenience.
dancing. However, it is a good idea to obtain a pair of good dance shoes if
you have been dancing for more than a month. Once you buy a pair of dance
shoes, they may last for your entire dance life. Beginners often try to save the
cost by buying a pair of street shoes, but as s/he is more experienced, s/he
will need to buy a pair of dance shoes anyway. It is a good idea to invest for
them at earliest convenience.
Men's Shoes
Ballroom dance shoes (1 inch standard heel for taller men
and 1 ½ inch Cuban heel for shorter men) typically
works well. The tango shoes, which Argentineans prefer
to wear, have 1 ½ inch heel which are slightly wider than
Cuban heels. The top of the heel is slanted to allow the
walk on the balls of the feet. Soft-toe shoes are a must in
order to not hurt your partner. The cost per pair is typically
$80+.
Women's Shoes
In order to protect your toes (from Media Luna etc), closed
toe shoes, or those with an optional vent hole (small
enough to protect your toes), are highly recommended.
Also, the ankle straps are a must (cross or single) as to
prevent the shoe from flying off when performing Ganchos
and Cuatros. Many prefer black or beige. Red, white and
other brighter colors tend to make feet appear larger. Flare
type heels may provide more stability than slim heels.
Open toe shoes are for Latin/Rhythm (cha cha etc). Closed
toe without ankle straps are for Standard/Smooth (waltz
etc). Cost per pair is typically $75+.
Sole Materials
There are three types of soles: leather, suede, and rubber.
In Buenos Aires, local dancers typically walk into the dance
floor with street shoes, whereas North Americans typically
bring their dance shoes in a Safeway bag. Because of
this, suede soles are not usually worn by Argentineans.
However, in northern countries, the studio owners try hard
to keep the dance floor clean and polished. Thus dancers
are expected to bring a pair of clean dance shoes. As
suede soles are typically not too slippery nor too sticky,
they are highly recommended in this case. It is a good
idea to brush suede soles with a metal brush. However,
dancers tend to brush so much more than needed so that
re-soling is often necessary.
Upper Material
Leather upper is highly recommended. Shoes made of
cloth/satin materials do not last long. Nubuck, simulated
suede, gives a more casual look, but they are hard to
maintain and not durable. Letherette/Co-ag is simulated
leather and won't last as long as natural leather does.
Perforated leather is good for those who practice a few
hours a day, but the leather may crack and split on the long
run. Patent leather shoes are mandatory to Tuxedos. The
gentleman must place a small quantity of Vaseline on the
inside edge of his shoes to prevent sticking while dancing.
Sizes
Since most of dance shoes are made overseas, you must
be careful with sizes. For example, ladies size 6 can be 6
UK or 6 USA. Since most dance shoes are hand made
and the natural leather stretches and shrinks according to
the climate, the actual size of a pair of shoes may vary,
even though they are rated as the same size. It is best to
try them before buying. The Internet offers wide variety of
shoes, but it may cost more to exchange if the shoes don't
fit.
* Do not fax the figure of your feet as the fax machine at the
other end will enlarge/shrink the figure according to their
paper size!
Ballroom dance shoes (1 inch standard heel for taller men
and 1 ½ inch Cuban heel for shorter men) typically
works well. The tango shoes, which Argentineans prefer
to wear, have 1 ½ inch heel which are slightly wider than
Cuban heels. The top of the heel is slanted to allow the
walk on the balls of the feet. Soft-toe shoes are a must in
order to not hurt your partner. The cost per pair is typically
$80+.
Women's Shoes
In order to protect your toes (from Media Luna etc), closed
toe shoes, or those with an optional vent hole (small
enough to protect your toes), are highly recommended.
Also, the ankle straps are a must (cross or single) as to
prevent the shoe from flying off when performing Ganchos
and Cuatros. Many prefer black or beige. Red, white and
other brighter colors tend to make feet appear larger. Flare
type heels may provide more stability than slim heels.
Open toe shoes are for Latin/Rhythm (cha cha etc). Closed
toe without ankle straps are for Standard/Smooth (waltz
etc). Cost per pair is typically $75+.
Sole Materials
There are three types of soles: leather, suede, and rubber.
In Buenos Aires, local dancers typically walk into the dance
floor with street shoes, whereas North Americans typically
bring their dance shoes in a Safeway bag. Because of
this, suede soles are not usually worn by Argentineans.
However, in northern countries, the studio owners try hard
to keep the dance floor clean and polished. Thus dancers
are expected to bring a pair of clean dance shoes. As
suede soles are typically not too slippery nor too sticky,
they are highly recommended in this case. It is a good
idea to brush suede soles with a metal brush. However,
dancers tend to brush so much more than needed so that
re-soling is often necessary.
Upper Material
Leather upper is highly recommended. Shoes made of
cloth/satin materials do not last long. Nubuck, simulated
suede, gives a more casual look, but they are hard to
maintain and not durable. Letherette/Co-ag is simulated
leather and won't last as long as natural leather does.
Perforated leather is good for those who practice a few
hours a day, but the leather may crack and split on the long
run. Patent leather shoes are mandatory to Tuxedos. The
gentleman must place a small quantity of Vaseline on the
inside edge of his shoes to prevent sticking while dancing.
Sizes
Since most of dance shoes are made overseas, you must
be careful with sizes. For example, ladies size 6 can be 6
UK or 6 USA. Since most dance shoes are hand made
and the natural leather stretches and shrinks according to
the climate, the actual size of a pair of shoes may vary,
even though they are rated as the same size. It is best to
try them before buying. The Internet offers wide variety of
shoes, but it may cost more to exchange if the shoes don't
fit.
* Do not fax the figure of your feet as the fax machine at the
other end will enlarge/shrink the figure according to their
paper size!
| 10% OFF of your Tango / Ballroom shoe purchase at Latin Corner Dance Studio (2nd and 2nd, SW, Eau Claire Market 262-3282) when you present this coupon Offer expires February 29, 2008 DanceCalgary.com |
| 10% OFF of your purchase at Classique Dancewear (6624 Cetre Steet, S at Glenmore 263-4828) when you present this coupon Offer expires February 29, 2008 DanceCalgary.com |
| 10% OFF of your purchase at Final Goal Athletics (109 3424 27st NE or #1B 5720 Silver Springs blvd) when you present this coupon Offer expires August 31, 2008 DanceCalgary.com |
Capizio BR-09 with cross
Straps and flared heels
Straps and flared heels
Capizio Vivian
Black Patent. Closed Toe, X-Strap with
window mesh inserts in the vamp and in
the heel counter. Black Patent with Red
Snake Print Leather Trim & Racy heel
strapping. Fully leather lined with
cushioned sock lining for better fit &
Cushioned footbed for more comfort. 2.5"
Latina heel and a Suede sole for better
traction.
Black Patent. Closed Toe, X-Strap with
window mesh inserts in the vamp and in
the heel counter. Black Patent with Red
Snake Print Leather Trim & Racy heel
strapping. Fully leather lined with
cushioned sock lining for better fit &
Cushioned footbed for more comfort. 2.5"
Latina heel and a Suede sole for better
traction.
Angelo Luzio 845L
Suede sole
2" or 2.5" heel
Leather upper
Various colour
Suede sole
2" or 2.5" heel
Leather upper
Various colour
Angelo Luzio L16 Pavia
Seamless moulded counter
Full breast sole
Full suede insole and suede lining
Full memory poron foam insole
Sole loop to keep instep strap in place
Black techno Nappa or Florentine
Brocade
Various colors in different leathers and
fabrics
Available in Latin, French, and Italian
heels
Seamless moulded counter
Full breast sole
Full suede insole and suede lining
Full memory poron foam insole
Sole loop to keep instep strap in place
Black techno Nappa or Florentine
Brocade
Various colors in different leathers and
fabrics
Available in Latin, French, and Italian
heels
Angelo Luzio L17 Emilia
Seamless moulded counter
Full breast sole
Full suede insole and suede lining
Full memory poron foam insole
Sole loop to keep instep strap in
place
Reinforced confort box toe
Various colors in different leathers
and fabrics
Available in Latin, French, and
Italian heels
Seamless moulded counter
Full breast sole
Full suede insole and suede lining
Full memory poron foam insole
Sole loop to keep instep strap in
place
Reinforced confort box toe
Various colors in different leathers
and fabrics
Available in Latin, French, and
Italian heels
Angelo Luzio L19 Venezia
Seamless moulded counter
Full breast sole
Full suede insole and suede lining
Patent leather and mesh upper
Full memory poron foam insole
Sole loop to keep instep strap in place
Reinforced box toe
Various colour in different leathers
and fabrics
Available in Latin, French and Italian
heels
Seamless moulded counter
Full breast sole
Full suede insole and suede lining
Patent leather and mesh upper
Full memory poron foam insole
Sole loop to keep instep strap in place
Reinforced box toe
Various colour in different leathers
and fabrics
Available in Latin, French and Italian
heels
Capizio Ana BR
16
2" or 2.5" heel
Lether upper
Black with stones
16
2" or 2.5" heel
Lether upper
Black with stones
Angelo Luzio 860L
Suede sole
2" or 2.5" heel
Letherette upper
Various colour
Suede sole
2" or 2.5" heel
Letherette upper
Various colour
Types of heels
Flare
Point
NOT for Tango
Ballroom shoes:
the shoe may fly off
without ankle straps
the shoe may fly off
without ankle straps
Latin shoes: open
toe is not very safe to
dance tango
toe is not very safe to
dance tango
Charactor shoes: functionally
just fine, but the fat heels are
not popular among tango
dancers
just fine, but the fat heels are
not popular among tango
dancers
Men's Shoes
Angelo Luzio 371L, 1 inch standard heel
Lether upper, Suede sole, Black
Lether upper, Suede sole, Black
Angelo Luzio 374L, 1.5 inch tango heel
Lether upper, Suede sole, Various colour
Lether upper, Suede sole, Various colour
Angelo Luzio 702L, 1.5 inch Cuban heel
Perforated leather upper, Suede sole, Black
Perforated leather upper, Suede sole, Black
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| All rights reserved. DanceCalgary.com, a division of Piazzolla Ltd. 2007 |
| Last updated: April 17, 2007 |
