Thread: Footwear when dancing/walking in a parade on the street?

Hi!
Wondering what you'd suggest, especially if you've done something like this. I'm not a great heels person so I wouldn't make it down 2 blocks! :P
It's about 20 blocks and a few hours, so considering this, what would you suggest is comfortable yet still respecting the art form. Now I'm thinking boy, new thing to think of.. matching sneakers before buying costumes! :P
Thanks!

I have blinged out a pair of canvas sneakers before. They can also be cross dyed to match your costume. Also, Sketchers makes some decent Mary Jane style sneakers which won't break the bank.

A final suggestion would be decent walking sandals. I just bought a pair by Privo which are bronze and have a nice, cushy soul. the only caution is if you aren't used to thongs (aka flip plops,) the thong between the toe when you break them in can be bothersome.

{{{HUGS}}}

I have a pair of dance sandles purchased here on bhuz - they are leather with straps and a cushy sole…not sure of your foot size. I'd be happy to take a picture if they are your size.

Thanks Tahira! Funny about the flip flop comment, as it is right now I have a bandaid on that exact part of the foot cause of flipflops this weekend! :P The blinging out idea is great! I've done that with half-soles, how come I didn't think of it! :P Thank you!

Thanks Ezma, the parade is this weekend so I have to move on this fast, so probably inhouse blinging or something of the sort! :) Thanks again!

There's not enough lead time to help you with this particular parade, but for future reference:

I have some sandals by Aruba's Oasis with the rubber soles for this sort of thing. (She makes two kinds of sandals, one with leather soles for indoor dancing, and the other with rubber soles for outdoor wear.)

See Soles and Uppers: Aruba's Oasis Sandals

Originally Posted by kitlife

Hi!
Wondering what you'd suggest, especially if you've done something like this. I'm not a great heels person so I wouldn't make it down 2 blocks! :P
It's about 20 blocks and a few hours, so considering this, what would you suggest is comfortable yet still respecting the art form. Now I'm thinking boy, new thing to think of.. matching sneakers before buying costumes! :P
Thanks!

I would recommend regular street-wear sandals, broken in beforehand. Ideally these would not have super-thick soles, modern detailing, or visible velcro.

Dancers should be always be on the lookout for "crossover" clothing of this kind, to keep on hand for occasions that warrant it.

Also, wear your zills, and before you go, practice "moving with the parade" dance moves as well as "you're stuck for 5 minutes while traffic is allowed to cross the parade route, so do something interesting" dance sequences.

If you are parading with other dancers, it might be fun to coordinate your movements (follow the leader style). And watch out for horse poop!

I usually wear ballerina or mary jane type shoes by Crocs. They come in lots of colors, are very comfy and waterproof, which can really come in handy in a parade.

if you wear Herme's sandels---save the older ones and you can have them resoled to be good for outside gigs. Just thicker leather or whatever sole you want.

Seriously, your feet matter more than fashion and this is hours *on pavement!*

I like my Sketchers- they make a kind of mary jane-esque shoe with all the cushioning and tread of light weight sneakers- plenty of colors available, but I stick with brown. A little more feminine than track shoes, but still protecting my feet, which are my livelihood!

I would love to get a pair of Aruba's Oasis sandals in the future, but they're just not in the budget right now. So I found these cute Airstep shoes for only $20 at Kmart (Clothing, Toys, Electronics, Jewelry, Jaclyn Smith - Kmart.com) and am in the process of blinging them up. They already have a flashy black patent strip up the side of the shoe & I'm adding black sequin trim to the toe & heel as well as clear rhinestone trim down either side of the front zipper & the patent strip. I have one shoe done. I'll post pics later tonight after I get home. Before blinging them up I wore them to dance class a couple times & they're super comfortable.

Here they are, plain & blinged.

Thank you everybody!
I definitely agree, feet are our livelihood! Thanks for the tips on preparing ahead of time on what to do while waiting and watching out for horse poop!! :P
OMG those blinged out Kmart shoes are awesome! Thanks for posting the pics! :) Funny, there's a business to be built on that! People always ask me where I got the regular half-soles, only cause they have been bellydancerbedazzled! :)

Strappy walking sandlas I'd endorce but if the going isn't heavy little satin Chinese shoes with rubber soles work with some costuming. They are a bit daintier.

Great question!

I danced in the Dance Parade last year, and I wore strappy, supportive walking sandals that had already been broken in. My feet were none the worse for wear at the end of the day, but take it from me that your hip flexors will feel two hours of dancing on pavement. I had trouble walking the next day, simply because my muscles were too tired to lift my legs!

I'll be in the parade again this year as an individual dancer. I'll be in an orange bedleh and pink skirt/sleeves with white Isis wings. Hope to see you there!

Originally Posted by Ainsley

Great question!

I danced in the Dance Parade last year, and I wore strappy, supportive walking sandals that had already been broken in. My feet were none the worse for wear at the end of the day, but take it from me that your hip flexors will feel two hours of dancing on pavement. I had trouble walking the next day, simply because my muscles were too tired to lift my legs!

I'll be in the parade again this year as an individual dancer. I'll be in an orange bedleh and pink skirt/sleeves with white Isis wings. Hope to see you there!

Holy cow! Thanks for the tip, I teach 3 classes the next day so that may be a consideration! Esp since I do have foot stuff. Hmm, if I go, I'll be joining the Ailey's Extension group, which is gonna be a mix of all genres. So far, I think I'm wearing blue costume with gloves, teal skirt! :) The wings will definitely make you more visible! Beautiful! :) Maybe we'll see each other! Hope it doesn't rain! :)