How are ballroom dance shoes different from other dress shoes?

Question:

How are ballroom dance shoes different from other dress shoes?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Do I need dance shoes?

Most beginners don't wear special ballroom shoes--any light dress shoes that won't fall off are fine. Many team beginners even wear normal dress shoes to their first competion or two. However, anyone who is competing or performing should definitely consider investing in a pair of ballroom shoes, since truly good technique is almost impossible in non-ballroom shoes.

Where can I buy dance shoes?

The best place to go is Worldtone in Manhattan, which has a great selection and many salespeople who are dancers themselves. Closer to Princeton is Capezio Dance Factory Outlet (2495 Route 1, 609-844-9700), which only carries Capezio brand shoes.

What should I look for when buying latin/standard shoes?

Ballroom dance shoes have a suede sole, which allows your foot to grip the floor without sticking like rubber or slipping like smooth leather. They also have a thinner sole and should fit much more closely than normal shoes. However, they should not be so tight that your toes are crushed. You will probably have to try on several brands, models, and sizes before finding the shoe that works best for you. Some brands team members use are Supadance, Freed (for standard), Ray Rose (for latin), and Capezio. Capezio is cheaper than the other three and makes good men's shoes, but their ladies' shoes tend to be stiffer than other brands.

Gentlemen don't have much choice in shoe styles--they wear black lace-up shoes with a flat heel for standard dances and a 1"-2" cuban heel for latin dances.

Ladies' shoes come in many more different shapes and colors. However, you should stick to shoes that are close to your skin color if you are planning to compete. For standard, ladies wear closed-toe shoes that look approximately like pumps, usually with a 2" to 2.5" heel (or lower for ladies whose partners are on the short side). For latin, ladies wear strappy open-toe sandals with a 3" heel (you may want to start with 2.5" if you're not used to dancing in heels). Latin shoes usually fit even tighter than standard shoes, and some dancers like their toes to hang off the front edge of their latin sandals in order to point their feet better.

Ladies also have a choice about the shape of the heels on your shoes. Heels on ladies' shoes come in two types, slim and flared. It's very much a matter of personal preference, but many prefer slim heels for standard shoes (they makes heel turns and some other movements easier) and flared heels for latin shoes (they provide more stability).

Finally, there are a few accessories you may want to buy while you buy your shoes. You will need a wire shoe brush to keep the suede soles clean (often there will be a few floating around the team at competitions, but it's best to have your own). Also, ladies' shoes need heel protectors to protect the heel from wearing out and scratching the floor. You can buy clear plastic caps that fit over the heel or suede stars that you tape over the heels, or you can buy a sheet of thin suede and cut your own stars. Ladies who are worried about their standard shoes slipping off can also buy clear elastic straps, and men may want shoe polish to keep their shoes shiny.

What if I don't have the money to buy both?

Since a pair of ballroom shoes costs around $100, many beginners start out with just one pair of shoes. Men who want to buy a single pair should get standard shoes, while ladies should get latin shoes. However, the more technique you learn, the harder it is to do a style with the "wrong" shoes, so as you advance you should seriously consider getting both.