Dance Shoes...West Coast Swing?

Question:What is the importance about wearing swing shoes? What makes them different than just good looking shoes?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: What is the importance about wearing swing shoes? What makes them different than just good looking shoes?

They're not specifically "swing" shoes; they're more correctly shoes specifically for dance. The main things are that the soles are smooth suede or some other surface that glides and doesn't grip. Mary janes are a popular style... definitely stay away from anything with a heel and go for flats that you can move in.

The other big reason for having "dance shoes" is so you don't bring your street shoes into the studio and get salt, grit and things like gum on the dance floor.

A very popular store for swing dancers can be found here:

http://www.dancestore.com/shoeswomens.ht...

I don't specifically do swing dancing, but normally ballroom dancing shoes have different kinds of padding and arch support so that you can dance longer and more comfortably. Also, ballroom shoes are designed to either blend in with the costume and not take attention from the dancer or to stand out and bring attention to the footwork. Normal shoes don't always fit in these catergories.

I hope I helped. Happy 2008!

Dance shoes are usually thinner, lighter and more flexible for easy movement and have a swede sole to allow easy turns.