Thread: Need your help with buying the right shoes for dance!

Hi everyone:

I am somewhat confused and would appreciate any info:

I went to a dance shop the other day where they mostly sell ballroom and tango dance shoes. I am looking for a comfortable pair of shoes for bellydancing. When I went to the store, I noticed that every single pair of the ballroom shoes had suede soles! I asked the salesperson if a shoe with a suede sole would be okay for belldyance but she didn't really know.

Would this type of shoe be appropriate for bellydancing either on carpet or wooden floor or any bare floor? I didn't buy them because I was afraid that the suede sole would make gliding and turning difficult.

I am basically looking for a comfortable glamorous pair of dance shoes with a heel of about 2 inches. I have tried buying regular shoes at shoe store, but they not very comfortable and I feel they don't hold my feel properly in place while dancing.

Any ideas is greatly appreciate! Thanks very much

Hi. I'm a ballroom and bellydancer. I prefer suede soles to any other sort of dance shoe sole. They glide and spin better than a rubbery type sole, and they can stop and give you better control than any hard/leather sole shoe. They're also, or they should be... very flexible, so pointing your toes or lowering to the ground should be easy. They also have a steel shank in the arch for support, and you know the heel won't break.

When you try them on, make sure your toes go as close to the edge as you can, because extra shoe beyond your toes can trip you, and remember they will stretch, so I always recommend getting them "snug" not painful tight. If you get them comfortable in the beginning, they will end up so loose, they won't be good for dancing in.

Originally Posted by aida21

Would this type of shoe be appropriate for bellydancing either on carpet or wooden floor or any bare floor? I didn't buy them because I was afraid that the suede sole would make gliding and turning difficult.

Suede is a standard choice for dancing on wood floors, but it may be too grabby for carpet (and the particular type of carpet can be a factor in how well the shoe performs). I don't know that you will be able to find one shoe that works great on any potential flooring surface. You might end up purchasing multiple pairs: a suede sole for smooth flooring, something with a slightly slicker surface for carpet, and maybe even a third pair for outdoor gigs if you do those. You might be able to save money by repurposing as you go, for example, if the nap of your suede soles gets too compacted and dirty, that might become your "new" outdoor pair. Don't worry about buying every shoe you could potentially need right off the bat, though. Buy what you'll get the most use out of now, and add to your collection as you need others.

I like ballroom shoes with suede soles. I know a lot of professional belly dancers who like character shoes for a multipurpose shoe. Tan being the colour of choice. It works well on carpet, wood floors, concrete, etc.

{{{HUGS}}}

Thank you alll three for your wonderful replies; i really appreciate it!

Based on the info you guys gave me, i will buy a pair of suede sole ballroom shoes since they are so comfy on my feet and I will get a cheaper street shoes for dancing on carpet.

Thanks again
Goldie

Make sure you get the suede brush, especially if you dance in restaurants. Water and random floor goop makes suede slick and yucky. The brush needs to have extremely stiff bristles to brush up the suede.

My favorite brand is "Very Fine", not that anyone asked.

I dance in Very Fine, too. I wore out my first pair, then bought three more (tan leather, gold, and silver). They have suede soles and quick release buckles. I wear them when I perform in non-stage settings (primarily restaurants). Tile - yes, carpet - yes (but low pile), wood - yes (but watch out for a "new" floor, so slippery!) The suede will get ripped up on a sidewalk-type surface, though.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

Make sure you get the suede brush, especially if you dance in restaurants. Water and random floor goop makes suede slick and yucky. The brush needs to have extremely stiff bristles to brush up the suede.

My favorite brand is "Very Fine", not that anyone asked.

The brush to clean them.... you can get them from the shoe store, or if you have a farming type store in town. Fleet Farm or something of the sort. Ask for a wire file brush - I have no real idea what THEY sell them for, but they are great for suede soles. If you are desperate, you can swivel around a little outside on the sidewalk to get the gunk out.

ALSO.. when cleaning the soles. Be sure to hold the shoe from the heel and brush AWAY from your hand from the center of the ball to the edge. It can peel up from too much brushing the wrong way... and no one wants to slice up their hands.

Character shoes are a nice, all purpose shoe. Tan and black are the basic colors, and you can jazz them up with glue on jewels, etc

Street shoes are iffy for dance. Often, it seems as if they are made to look good and nothing else. No arch support, oddly shaped toe areas, weird non-supporting straps, etc. Gel inserts and arch supports can make some shoes comfy to dance in. And from time to time you might get really lucky with street shoes. At AJ Wrights I found two pairs of flat sandals, one silver, one gold, for under $10 each. Flats are safer than heels for dancing outdoors on uneven surfaces.

Several manufacturers make super comfy street pumps for business dress that work equally well as dance shoes.

I have a wide foot, so it's hard to find shoes that fit well. I get my shoes from Zappos.com, they have a huge selection and a wide range of sizes.