Thread: Help Me Find Some Ballroom Shoes!

I always dance barefoot or in slippers, so help a girl out!

What are your favorite vendors for danceworthy high heels? I'd like something stylish and comfy. And I don't want to break the bank, either.

Any recommendations?

I sustained a foot injury during a military exercise back in 1989 that has kept me in flat shoes ever since... until I found Eckse shoes. I don't know what you consider "breaking the bank", but these shoes are absolutely worth every penny spent on them. From the very first day I brought them home through hundreds of hours of dance, I've felt not even the tiniest twinge of discomfort from the injury. Seriously high quality shoes.

I just ordered my second pair:

Tina sells them in the retail swapmeet:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...es-25-off.html

Those Eckse's are beautiful! Maybe I should invest in something high-quality, since my first experience with heels should be comfy

And I forgot about Tina's shoes, too.

Looks like I've got some shopping to do!

I love these... they are cheap and last for maybe... 6 months if you dance every weekend. They are so cheap you can have many pairs and they have every color you can imagine! Not very high, put not incredibly low...

Shipping is pretty fast and they come in a little bag that you can put in you gig bag :) Like the little Bella tote :)

Henry G Dance Shoes, Dress & Accessories - Henry G dance shoes, dress & accessories

I've gotten shoes from EK clothing, they're cheap and reliable:

Latin Dance Shoes for Ladies and Men

I've ordered 3 pairs of shoes from these folks and they've all held up well and are comfy:

TNT DANCE DESIGNS Custom dance shoes

Very Fine is a great business!

Very Fine Dancesport Shoes Company the manufacturer of dance shoes, ballroom dance shoes, dance sneakers, dancewears

Being a ballroom dancer, I can tell you that usually you get what you pay for. I have experience with Very Fine, and I recommend going with the upper end VF or the Party shoes. They're more comfortable, and the cheaper versions do tend to run wide with shorter heels (even though they say the same # in inches). European made shoes are the best in my opinion, but much more pricey. They will last longest if you make sure they fit right. Snug without being to tight. They WILL STRETCH and you don't want them loose. Toes should be as close to the end of the shoe as possible. Glitter is cute, but will wear off and can scratch. And remember, the suede sole can be brushed clean and can be replaced, so don't throw any away too soon. pm me if you have any questions. : )

The E.K. and the TNT both carry the Very Fine and Party Party shoes... same thing. I used to be able to get them wholesale - being a studio owner.. Let me know if you want me to check if I still can.

Is everything on TNT pretty much in-stock and ready to ship immediately? Many ballroom shoes seem to have a 3-week or longer lead time. And I hate waiting. LOL

The stuff I ordered from TNT was all in stock. I didn't do their custom shoes, just an off the shelf model. Let me look through the site and see if I can find what I bought....

The ones I bought were like these: TNT DANCE DESIGNS Custom dance shoes :: Classic Ballroom Latin Dance Shoes

They were all that same $55 price range. I've worn mine alot over the years and still have them all.

The Signature vs Classic. The signature is made with higher quality materials and they do cost more.

The Signature ones look REALLY nice. And that's great that they're in stock and ready to order!

Can't wait to see which ones you get. I kinda love shoes... Dance shoes especially. : )

Originally Posted by salsabelly

Can't wait to see which ones you get. I kinda love shoes... Dance shoes especially. : )

And this is a shoe fetish that helps my dancing! What's not to love?

Think I'm gonna get these:

S1001 Silver Scale & Silver - TNT DANCE DESIGNS ballroom dance shoes

I had these in the dark tan gold scale color. They are SUPER comfy. My opinion is they run just the slightest bit big. I wear between 8 and 9 street shoe depending on style and brand. I always go with the 8 when I get dance shoes. Hope you love them. : )

Elegance is the bomb.
What size are you?

After finding out my size at an expensive local store (around 125) I now buy them from danceshoesonline.com. If you take the time to look in what they have for overstock you can get some cheeeap shoes! They often have online coupons.
I wear (usually) a street shoe 9. My dance shoes are 8.5.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Elegance is the bomb.
What size are you?

I wear a size 6. Sounds like I should go for a 5

If you're not sure, call or try something on.

Originally Posted by shimmytwin

After finding out my size at an expensive local store (around 125) I now buy them from danceshoesonline.com. If you take the time to look in what they have for overstock you can get some cheeeap shoes! They often have online coupons.
I wear (usually) a street shoe 9. My dance shoes are 8.5.

Celebrity?

Get 5.5 b/c you want the toes to be at the edge of the front and your heel to be at the edge of the back, no space for foot moving around.

It's gross to wear 2nd hand shoes so I won't even suggest that you can buy mine off of me. ..l;,

I have a multi-sparkle pair, 2 inch heel that match with anything. I also got a 1.5 inch heel beige suede pair that I use with gold laces, that also matched with anything. So my point is, buy 2 pairs and you'll be covered for every costume!

Originally Posted by shimmytwin

After finding out my size at an expensive local store (around 125) I now buy them from danceshoesonline.com. If you take the time to look in what they have for overstock you can get some cheeeap shoes! They often have online coupons.
I wear (usually) a street shoe 9. My dance shoes are 8.5.

Harumph! They charge more money for larger shoe sizes. How dare they! ,m::

Hey Satin;

My absolute favorite dance shoe is the open toe footlight by Capezio. It is sexy and utilitarian at the same time. You can order them in any color and metallics as well. They have a great solid square heel and they are really comfortable. The thicker heel is better for bellydance IMO. I believe the heel is 2 3/4" or 3". I ordered mine from the the Capezio store in NY. They are a little bit pricey but I find that you get what you pay for with dance shoes (unless it is an exact brand/style that you know of that you are able to get on sale, etc).

I have been through a lot of dance shoes and I am REALLY picky about them. Email if you want me to elaborate more.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Elegance is the bomb.
What size are you?

Really? Every pair I've ever had from them has totally fallen apart. They were really cute, and I wanted them to work, but they were way overpriced for shoes that fell apart within a couple months. Yay for you. Maybe they've changed since I tried them last.

Salsabelly, I bought my Elegance in early 2000. They were also made to order (I picked the fabric, style, and heel) and it took a couple of weeks to get. Perhaps the quality has gotten worse. :0/

Mine still look brand new.

Originally Posted by Azhia

It's gross to wear 2nd hand shoes so I won't even suggest that you can buy mine off of me. ..l;,

Hey Azhia! If you would consider selling I'd love to see them. (Im between size 5-6)
I can share grosser experiences of being sick in India than wearing 2nd hand shoes
Besides, there are natural antibacterial sprays that you can use on them anyway!

Originally Posted by Azhia

Salsabelly, I bought my Elegance in early 2000. They were also made to order (I picked the fabric, style, and heel) and it took a couple of weeks to get. Perhaps the quality has gotten worse. :0/

Mine still look brand new.

Yeah, I've had custom shoes from them probably late 90's early 2000's I guess maybe they're just not made tough enough for teachers. (wearing them 8hrs a day 5 days a week ) I need shoes that last...l;,