Thread: Are there any pretty, flat-sole shoes out there?

I hate the lace up hermes shoes, they don't look good with cabaret costumes. I think plane-jane character shoes in nude are pretty ugly too, though that's what I'm currently wearing. But I have to have shoes at the restaurant. Too big a chance I'll step on something dangerous. (and hygenic to wear shoes, too). So....what are my options? I feel I give a better performance in a very very low heel or a flat sole, as I have more confidence, than in heels, although I can dance in heels...just don't prefer to.

I took my lace up hermes sandals and replaced the laces with tea-dyed elastic that holds the sandal on without going around my ankle. It worked, makes the shoe an easy slip on and off, and are much less noticeable.

Now, I wouldn't call the shoes pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but they do almost disappear on the feet.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I took my lace up hermes sandals and replaced the laces with tea-dyed elastic that holds the sandal on without going around my ankle. It worked, makes the shoe an easy slip on and off, and are much less noticeable.

Now, I wouldn't call the shoes pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but they do almost disappear on the feet.

ooooh what a good idea! I hate the laces that come with them.

OK, here's a pic of my hermes sandals with elastic. I hope the grubbiness of these shoes doesn't put anyone off - these are actually only a couple of months old...but I hear that Danshuz are not the best brand, so maybe that's why the bottom is so funky.

I was going to ask for pics! Wonder if they make gold or silver elastic?

Originally Posted by Sonja2

I was going to ask for pics! Wonder if they make gold or silver elastic?

Occasionally you can find it - I've never looked online. I just took white elastic, brewed some tea in a saucepan, and dipped the elastic in it for a few minutes. When it dried it was a nice beige color which nearly disappears on my feet from a distance.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

OK, here's a pic of my hermes sandals with elastic. I hope the grubbiness of these shoes doesn't put anyone off - these are actually only a couple of months old...but I hear that Danshuz are not the best brand, so maybe that's why the bottom is so funky.

I wonder why I don't see a pic. This happens sometimes. Other posters seem to be able to see it, but I can't.

Anyway, I'm interested in this, because I find the laces on my Hermes sandals are stiff, and I don't like them. I've tea-dyed bathing suit elastic for zills before. (I find bathing suit elastic to be more durable than regular elastic.)

In answer to the OP, there are gold, silver, etc., and sequinned flats available. They are leather with a suede sole, so they're comfortable for dancing and not "sticky" underneath like, say, crepe soles might be.

This has been discussed before, and I know someone posted a US-based site where gold and silver shoes are available, but I get my shoes from a local store: Son of the Pharaoh. (Note: Beware the sequinned shoes if the skirt of your costume has beading on the bottom. The beading can catch in the shoes. I speak from experience.)

Hey Sonja,
Have you recovered from last weekend?
Mesmera sells custom hermes in different colors. Amira Mor used to sell gold & silver ones.
I laced mine with some silver trim (not elastic) and the nude tone of the shoe with the silver lace looked goofy.

Try these folks: Tic-Tac-Toes Dance Shoes: Product Categories

Their shoes are made in the US and they have dance flats and several heel heights and just about any color.

thanks TamaraHenna for posting that pic. I am so going to do that this weekend with my hermes!

There's a few women in the studio I attend that have these sandals, I've only heard good things about them. Lots of colours, metallics and otherwise to choose from.

I love my hermes from Aurba's Oasis!!!
With the metallic laces they really don't look too bad with a cabaret costume.

I painted my hermes sandals with gold fabric paint and replaced the laces with thin round gold metallic elastic (the kind they use to tie candy boxes with - I get it at the fabric store). I think they're quite pretty and elegant with my cab costumes.

tina sargent of centerstage dance makes custom ballroom shoes for about $60 in dozens of styles and a hundred fabric choices (if you're the first to order shoes in a particular fabric you get them for around $35!). I have two pairs with very low block heels - almost like dancing in flats. AND you can order them with a street sole, which is perfect for restaurants where you never know what you're going to be stepping in. she's got a thread going in the retail swap board - you should check her out. any ballroom style you can imagine - strappy, peep toe, T strap, ankle strap, simple or fancy - you can order with a sturdy low heel.

I can't believe I didn't think about dying elastic with tea. I've done it to cotton lace years ago, but for some reason it just never occurred to me. What an excellent idea!

I found the site some others have recommended in previous threads. You need to flip through the catalogue to page 11. ANGELO LUZIO

They have split-sole metallic shoes in gold, silver, and black.

Originally Posted by Shalimah

I found the site some others have recommended in previous threads. You need to flip through the catalogue to page 11. ANGELO LUZIO

They have split-sole metallic shoes in gold, silver, and black.

I LOVE those little belly dance flats, but I HATE flash websites. And there seems to be no way to order them or find out where to buy them. ,m::

Artemis Imports sells gold and silver elastic.

I sent an email to find out. I remember these shoes being mentioned before and I'm curious about them.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I LOVE those little belly dance flats, but I HATE flash websites. And there seems to be no way to order them or find out where to buy them. ,m::

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I LOVE those little belly dance flats, but I HATE flash websites. And there seems to be no way to order them or find out where to buy them. ,m::

I agree. I haven't got as far as trying to order them, but even trying to look them up at the website is a PITA. I think I might try a pair eventually, though, when my current shoes wear out, as I love split-soled shoes.

Ohhh... I PINE for some of those Aruba sandals, but I just can't wear something that ties across my achilles tendon. That's just not comfortable for me. But... SO CUTE!

Originally Posted by tigerb

Ohhh... I PINE for some of those Aruba sandals, but I just can't wear something that ties across my achilles tendon. That's just not comfortable for me. But... SO CUTE!

If I got a pair of those, I'd do the elastic trick with them. I hate laces - they never stay up unless they cut off my circulation.

I was going to mention Artemis Imports-thanks, Maia! I use the gold elastic on my zills.

Actually it's a great time to look at Payless and Target for shoes. Last year I got some gorgeous silver sandals, with smooth bottoms (no traction - good for spinning and such) at Target for 18$. I should have bought 5 pairs. Everytime I go to these places, I scope out sandals. Since metallics and gladiator sandals are in, this could be a good year.

something like this only I don't think you need to spend quite this much money -
Vigotti Nora at Zappos.com
Charles by Charles David Hip at Zappos.com
Dolce Vita Anise at Zappos.com

With payless if I see a pair I like I buy 2 that's why the BOGO sale. Because if you go back they won't be there in your size(hence this is my luck with any shoe purchase) works. I bought years back sandals with silver and gold flats. Too bad they no longer make them. I can wear with any of my costumes. I just go to the shoe maker and he re- soles them. I may have to soon invest in ballroom shoes. I got to check out tinas thread in retail swap meet.

Alrana

have you tried classic leather ballerinas? the pro type available in any good dance clothing store?
if embellished with glued on paillettes and pearls they should look very "authentic". (Think of the flat type shoes with lots of bling on you ll find on every oriental market.)

And they're great to dance in.

Celebrity Dance Shoes carries ballroom shoes that have a .5" heel, which is more or less flat. You can custom order any of the styles shown in any of the fabrics that they carry. They're pricey, but they're built to last. I love the cushy foam that they use in the sole to pad your foot. I bought a pair of the "Eve" style in silver leather about three years ago; they're my "go-to" shoe for most performances. They've taken a lot of abuse, but they still look and feel great.

Here is the page with the flat-soled shoes:
Women

Here is the main page:
Celebrity Dance Shoes

I sent a message to the company about the shoes. Their response: "Unfortunately this shoe will not be available till October November 09.
Please feel free to contact us then, and it will be a pleasure to serve you."

Originally Posted by Shalimah

I agree. I haven't got as far as trying to order them, but even trying to look them up at the website is a PITA. I think I might try a pair eventually, though, when my current shoes wear out, as I love split-soled shoes.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I LOVE those little belly dance flats, but I HATE flash websites. And there seems to be no way to order them or find out where to buy them. ,m::

Thanks for checking that out, kiyaana.

Originally Posted by Anjela

Celebrity Dance Shoes carries ballroom shoes that have a .5" heel, which is more or less flat. You can custom order any of the styles shown in any of the fabrics that they carry. They're pricey, but they're built to last. I love the cushy foam that they use in the sole to pad your foot. I bought a pair of the "Eve" style in silver leather about three years ago; they're my "go-to" shoe for most performances. They've taken a lot of abuse, but they still look and feel great.

Here is the page with the flat-soled shoes:
Women

Here is the main page:
Celebrity Dance Shoes

I'm tellin' ya', peoples - check tina out. I have a pair of her shoes very similar to the "dawn" at celebrity shoes and they're half the price, and are still very high quality.

I recently found some cute strappy flat sandals at Payless Shoes for about $18 in gold and silver and bought two pair in each color. The soles aren't too rubbery to dance in, they stay on my foot, and would work especially well for outdoor shows where you don't have a wood dance floor anyway, but definitely need foot protection (street fairs, private party concrete patios, etc). I don't know how supplies are running now as this was a few weeks ago...