Shoe FAQ
1. What is a Ballroom Shoe
The shoes worn in ballrooms are different from the shoes you are used to wearing. The most important difference is in the sole. Most shoes have a rubber or sometimes leather sole. Ballroom shoes have a thin suede sole. The thinness allows the dancer to have a more direct contact, and therefore, better feel of, the floor. The suede allows the dancers to both glide freely and yet retain some grip on wooden ballroom floors. The other main difference is in men's shoes. Unlike regular dress shoes, ballroom shoes tend to be more flexible, allowing the foot to bend more easily.
2. Types of Shoes
There are two main categories of dance standard/smooth (W,T,F,Q,VW) and latin/rhythm (C,R,Sw,Sa,M,J,B,P). Each category uses a different type of shoe. There are some hybrid shoes.Men
For men, the big difference is in heel. Standard shoes have a low heel, like a standard dress shoe. Latin shoes, however, have much higher heel, typically 2 or 2.5 inches. Unlike a women's 2 inch heel, our heel is just like on the dress shoe, only longer, it's still just as wide. This larger heel helps to keep the dancer's weight on the balls of his feet, which is proper for latin dancing.Women
Latin and rhythm shoes are often high (2 to 3 inches) and open-toed. The heel is usually tall and thin. They come in various colors, and some styles are strappy and sexy. They generally look like sandals. Standard and smooth shoes usually look like pumps. They are also often lower, and with a wider heel area.3. What to Buy
The shoes must fit well! If you intend to spend hours on the dance floor in them, buying a pair just half a size too small to save $50 will put you straight in hell. Sizing is different from street shoes in two respects. The first is that British sizes are almost universally used for dance shoes, and the second is that ballroom shoes fit more closely than street shoes - you do not want any extra room in the toe. Due to the combination of these factors, it is typical to end up buying dance shoes that are anywhere from one to two and a half sizes smaller than the US-size of your street shoes. Spend some time walking around in the shoes on carpet to be sure they fit well - once you wear them on a hard floor they can no longer be returned.Men
The bottom line is it's easier to dance latin in standard shoes than stanard in latin shoes. This is because the high heel of the latter makes it hard to step properly in standard. Since 99% of mens shoes are black, you don't have much flexibility. Even if you do find other colors, you'll be wearing black pants for all your dancing, so stick with black. Do not get two-toned shoes. They're fun for swing dancing, but won't look right for the other latin dances. Some standard shoes are patent (shiney) leather. If you're going to be using these shoes for both standard and latin, get regular leather, as patent also won't look right for latin dancing.Women
Rule #1: Do not buy black shoes! When you have 6 pairs, and see a nice pair of shoes you can practice in, then it's ok to buy black shoes. However, for your first shoe, or any shoe in which you'll compete, a flesh colored, gold, or bronze shoe is best. (Silver works, too, but not as well) The idea is that it makes you legs look longer and blend into the floor. If you can't find your flesh tone, your next bet is something to match your costume (but remember, as a rookie, your costume will probably change much more often than your shoes). Note that women often buy white shoes, and get them dyed (to match your skin color or costume). Many places that sell shoes also can dye them for you. Be sure to see if the can be dyed before buying them.Shoe Brush
If you get a pair of shoes, you'll probably want a shoe brush. As you dance, dirt gets pressed into the suede, defeating the suede's texture. After dancing, your shoes will need to have the dirt brushed out of them. This is done using the wire shoe brush. Ask a vet to show you how.4. Where to Buy It
In the Boston area, there are two places to buy shoes.
Teddy's Shoes584 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-0443
Teddy's unfortunately is a general shoe store, and so doesn't have much in the way of selection. This is compensated by truly great customer service.
Boston Dancewear (formerly Patterson's Boston location)Patterson's Back Bay Dancewear (in Burlington)
These formerly connected stores have a much wider selection than Teddy's, though they may not stock all sizes of every shoe they carry. At least in Men's shoes, Boston Dancewear seems to have a narrow but consistent collection, wheras Patterson's has a greater variety of shoes in a more random assortment of sizes. Both have some very helpfull staff, but they may be too busy at times to provide much assistance.
Shoes can also be ordered through catalogs and the web. Some places will allow you to return the shoes (but only if unused, i.e. only worn on carpets, not wooden floors). Be sure to check the return policy before ordering! Because it can be hard to translate sizes between street shoes and dance shoes, it may be simplest to buy your first pair in person. Unfortunately stores which list a lot of variety for order on their web site may not have many of those styles in stock if you go there in person.
In general, shoes cost anywhere from $70-$130. Sometimes there ares ales of odd styles and sizes that go for $20 to $60. You must be lucky to find something suitable there. You may also consider used shoes if money is tight. Some people prefer shoes from England, but these cost somewhat more. It may be worthwhile trying to obtain these shoes from sources other than American stores (e.g. friends overseas, direct mail order).
5. When To Buy It
Shoes are not required for the dance floor. However, it is highly recommened that you get a pair and get them ASAP. First, the sooner your practice in the shoes, the sooner you'll be comfortable in them. Buying them the week before a competition probably won't give you enough practice time to get used to them. Second, the shoes allow you to be a better dancer. Whether it's because you can rise further onto your toes in a stanard shoe or stand more forward on the balls of your feet in a latin shoe, a dancer in a shoe will usually be slightly better than an equal dancer in limiting street or dress shoes.
6. Shoe Maintenence
Two important points about maintaining your shoes. First, after each use, be sure to gently brush them. You need to brush them hard enough to remove the dust and dirt, but try not to press much harder than that, or you'll wear down the suede. Second, be careful on what surface you wear your shoes. Never wear them outside! Concrete and/or dirt will ruin the suede. Some dancers won't even wear their shoes in places like La Sala or Lobby 13, because the floor is so dirty (or if they do wear shoes, they have a pair of "public" shoes they wear to places that aren't as clean as real ballroom floors).