Thread: Shoes?

SHOES? Has anybody found a pair of shoes for bellydance that you really like? I am looking for both studio and performance shoes. Preferably no heels. Any recommendations?
-Hannan

Canvas ballet slippers for practice.
Hermes sandals for performance.

I can't do this in heels. But I haven't really tried to tell you the truth; I just prefer something flat for this genre of dance. One of my troupe mates tried performing in her Latin ballroom shoes that she's worn for years (she is an excellent ballroom dancer and regularly enters competitions), and she said she will never do that again!

"Salsette" salsa practice shoes for class. Flat suede sole, very nice.

Amazon.com: Sansha Salsette 1 Jazz Sneaker: Shoes

For performance (not that I perform that much!) I am very happy with pretty ballet slippers:

Silver Leather Ballet Shoes - Dance 4 Less

For class I wear ghillies, ballet slippers and occasionally, jazz sneakers.

For performance I wear 3" ballroom shoes. Although sometimes I will wear Hermes. I am interested in trying Lyric / Teaching shoes. I think Capezio calls them Pendini's. They do have a small heel and come in tan, pink and black.

{{{HUGS}}}

I wear ballet slippers, canvas, for both performance and class.

The ones I wear for performances are coated in foundation that matches my skin. It looks pretty good and blends in well on stage.

Generally, though, I try to dance barefoot.

I like these for both class and folkloric performances:

Aruba's Oasis Sandals: Leather Lace-up Belly Dance Sandals

I do have pairs in silver and gold that I wear with my sparklies, but I'd rather have ballroom shoes for that purpose. I just haven't yet made the effort to shop for ballroom shoes, it seems like a big hassle.

Bloch Grecian ballet teacher shoes are my favorite for class:
Bloch Grecian Sandal Teaching Dance Shoe
Bloch Paris is very similar, though less flexible and not as well ventilated because of the closed upper:
Bloch Paris Teaching Ballet Shoes
Bloch Fusion is a lightweight jazz/sneaker hybrid that's nice as a change for long dance days:
Women‘s “Fusion“ Dance Sneaker - Style #S0512L at Discount Dance Supply

I absolutely love Bold Expressions ballroom shoes for performance. They're very inexpensive for customizable shoes and come in lots of fun styles and fabrics.
Open-toe styles:Centerstage Dance Shop Product Page
Open-toe T-strap styles:Centerstage Dance Shop Product Page
I can't dance in a high heel at all, but the lowest heel on these is only 1.2" and is very wide and stable. If you order the street soles (not suede), they're still suitable for relevé and turns AND you don't have to worry about ruining them on not-so-clean floors.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I do have pairs in silver and gold that I wear with my sparklies, but I'd rather have ballroom shoes for that purpose. I just haven't yet made the effort to shop for ballroom shoes, it seems like a big hassle.

Next time you are in a larger city, you might want to look for a shop which specializes in ballroom shoes. With the popularity of shows such as Dancing with the Stars, many have opened and have a multitude of styles and sizes in stock. You'd be surprised at how easy it is!

{{{HUGS}}}

I love my dance shoes from Dancesmeralda, those are amazing!
The high heel is very stable. I cant dance in ballroom shoes, because of the thin heel.

Unfortunatly I got confused whith international sizing and ordered first wrong size.
US size 7.5
I am trying to sell them now, because I got a new pair in my size.

I can't belly dance in heels. I've tried again and again. I can swing dance just fine in heels, so.. go figure.

I like jazz sneakers for practice. Keeps my feet nice and cushy.

Ballet slippers are ok for performing indoors, and the pale pink ones can be painted any color with floral spray paint. They don't hold up well outdoors.

Hermes sandals are ok for indoors or out. I replace the ugly plastic ties with ribbon.

Last year, maybe two years ago, the AJ Wrights near me closed. I bought two pairs of metallic flat sandals on clearance sale, less than $30 for both pairs. One is gold, the other silver, and they look a little bit like Greek gladiator sandals.

Thanks for your input, ladies.
Heels or no, how do you deal with the soles? I find that after even a bit of wear my shoes lose their grip can only be roughed up again a few more times before they bite the dust. I'm looking for something with a really good sole that has the right amount of traction even on the variable floors I use (not all the places I teach have proper dance floors and certainly not the places I perform).

Originally Posted by Hannan

Thanks for your input, ladies.
Heels or no, how do you deal with the soles? I find that after even a bit of wear my shoes lose their grip can only be roughed up again a few more times before they bite the dust. I'm looking for something with a really good sole that has the right amount of traction even on the variable floors I use (not all the places I teach have proper dance floors and certainly not the places I perform).

Ballroom shoes can be ordered with hard soles, but suede will inevitably wear out. It's just a cost of being in business. I expect to replace my practice shoes every six months. For more expensive performance shoes, you can have them professionally resoled.