Thread: Questions about dance shoes. . . !

Just bought some dance shoes! I posted an ISO and no one had anything until today, after I bought the shoes! ..l;,

Well, I got them payless and I hope they will work. They look patent leather, but are quite comfortable....

Don't worry, this forum isn't pointless... ,s::

They look ballerina-ish, and the bottom of the shoes are rubber, some ridges in the rubber. Flat with a little heel. They are somewhat form fitting to the feet. Faten already told me that soft soled shoes are recommended for her class.

Do you think these will work? Haven't tried dancing in them yet, but does anyone have experience with the shoes I described? Do shoes that slide more or have a grip work better in a class? (you can tell I haven't taken one in awhile!)

hmm...you should be able to spin and turn with ease in a dance shoe. The rubber might grip the floor too much and cause you to torque out your knee...

I didn't see your other question, so I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for but I have just started wearing ballet slippers to class. I find that when I do the one-legged shimmy with one leg behind the other, I start to slide backwards (I previously wore lyrical half sole shoes so had grip with my toes). It'll take some getting used to; I am strongly considering getting a jazz boot because I'd like some arch support for longer classes and workshops...

I don't think the shoe you purchased will be ideal for dancing; however, I can't see it so I could be totally wrong. But be careful to make sure that they don't grip the floor too much - that will cause injury

I was going to say the same as Safiya, well, without the one legged shimmy thing :-)

It depends on what you want the shoe to do. Do you want to be able to move without sliding? Then rubber soles work great. If you want to turn easily, you need shoes without the rubber.

I use a jazz sneaker for teaching, it gives me enough slip so I can turn without torquing my knees, and enough support that my arches are happy. I also find that I don't need (ha!) to wear my braces on my kneas when I use the jazz sneaker, as it seems that my knee issues are related to foot alignment.

I use the elastosplit dance slippers for when I'm doing my own practice or in dance classes as I find the sneaker too hot.

I'd suggest going into a dance store and letting them know what you need the shoes for, they'll help you pick the best ones for your feet. I went into one to buy skin tone ballet slippers for restaurant work (hell, if the BDSS wear them in performance, i can wear them in a restaurant!) and they were very helpful in matching the shoes to my skin tone and had a ball talking about what I was using them for.

I wear ballet slippers for class, with tights or socks. My feet like the extra support and cushioning. I didn't know they made them in flesh tones, that's very cool. Mine are blulsh pink. I've only seen the pink or black ones. They do take some getting used to, they affected my balance a little at first.

Eventually I would like to get some nice ballroom shoes for performance. Something with a heel that's not too high. I love the look of metallic shoes, so would probably have to get both gold and silver! Darn, this costume expense thing adds up after awhile! ,r:;

I love performing barefoot but sometimes a shoe would be nice to have.

I don't know whether you're dancing with Faten in Manassas or Clarendon, but you can't wear street shoes of any kind on the studio floors at Saffron Dance. I'd be a little wary of the rubber soles anyway, for the reasons others have outlined.

Ballet slippers work well. If you want something soft like a ballet slipper but with a very low heel, the Paris and "Grecian sandal" teacher shoes from Bloch are nice -- I wear both, sometimes with a Dr. Scholls insole for a little padding.

Go to a local dance shop and get fitted for some good ballet slippers. Depending on the brand and whether they are leather or canvas, they will cost anywhere from $25 to $40 retail. It is important that you have someone fit you who knows what you are doing. Then you can order more shoes online at places like Discount Dance Supply or Dance 4 Less but you will know what you want and the correct size.

The Payless shoes you described are probably not going to work well for you. You need to feel the floor while protecting and supporting your feet. And you need flexibility. You can get that from shoes made for dance not shoes you can dance in.

Other options might be jazz shoes (either lace up or slip on) or the Grecian style sandals such as Pedinins. All of these have suede sole, provide support, and will not damage the floors in the studio. Jazz sneakers are an option too, however I would make sure that they are okay with the instructor. I have a pair of Leos Jazz Sneakers that I wear at workshops if on a hard, hard floor. They have a "spin point" at the toe that let you turn quickly without the sole grabbing the floor too much. But they do have black synthethic soles and can leave marks on the floor.

My choice shoe for class (as a student, not teacher) is Capezio Juliet leather split sole slipper. I have them in flesh color. I also wear Capezio lace up jazz shoes as well, especially if I have been on my feet a lot and feel I need more support in my arch.

For performance it depends on the costume and music. I often wear Pedinis (have them in nude and black) because they have a small heel and thin sole so I can feel the floor. Have also worn ballet slippers for performance. Last weekend for a balady folk performance I wore my new full sole Foot Undies that I ordered from Discount Dance (nude, wraps around the foot) with some cool copper coin and bead foot jewelry. So foot protection and barefoot at the same time. Cool.

Your feet are very important. Don't stint on shoes!!!!

Souzan

It sounds like what you bought are ballet flats, which are street shoes inspired by the shape of a ballet slipper - like this Payless ShoeSource

Unfortunately, I have to agree with everyone above that these are not appropriate for a dance class. My Payless actually sells real ballet slippers (along with tap shoes), but only in children's sizes.

Shoot! I just came from the mall, and I didn't return them! They're cute, so I just may keep them. The thing is, there is no dance shops around Manassas, unless they're hidden. Faten probably has some she sells, but I'd rather be prepared for her class. Any good online stores that sell dance shoes?

Also, do you think the shoe tack place (where they fix shoes) could replace the rubber soles with a more slippery material? Has anyone ever tried this?

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

Shoot! I just came from the mall, and I didn't return them! They're cute, so I just may keep them. The thing is, there is no dance shops around Manassas, unless they're hidden. Faten probably has some she sells, but I'd rather be prepared for her class. Any good online stores that sell dance shoes?

I get my dance wear from All About Dance Dancewear, Dance Shoes, Dance Clothing, Sneakers, Gymnastics, Capezio, Leotards and more.. If the item's in stock they ship very quickly.

Also, do you think the shoe tack place (where they fix shoes) could replace the rubber soles with a more slippery material? Has anyone ever tried this?

I think with a shoe that inexpensive, it would be unlikely. And if they could, it would probably cost well more than what you paid for them. Also, I doubt the leather on a street shoe is supple enough for dance no matter what the sole is made of. You need a soft leather that conforms to the shape of your foot.

Thanks Laura! The prices aren't that bad either. I guess I should return these shoes tomorrow then, and order these Monday. Really appreciate your help!!

You're welcome - I've always been really pleased with their service!

Hey I just saw that Payless is selling actual ballet slippers. Kinda cool.

Pair of Bloch ballet slippers on the Swap Meet page.

Souzan

Originally Posted by Souzan

Pair of Bloch ballet slippers on the Swap Meet page.

Souzan

Yep, I saw them. I wear a 9 1/2 to 10 US. Do you think they will fit? If they stretch, they might be fine.

Check the swap pages back a few weeks. I think I recall a couple of different dancers selling dance shoes in that size range. When buying online remember that dance shoe size is not usually the same as street shoe size. Some styles and some makers have quite a difference in size. That is the reason that I always buy the first pair in a style from a local dance supplier and then order the same shoe replacements from the discount sites online.

Other things you might want to get at a local supplier would be leg warmers, shoe inserts, knee pads (if you plan to do floor work you'll want to protect your knees when practicing), performance shoes, jazz pants, etc.

My classwear generally consists of jazz pants, leotard or tee shirt, shrug to keep shoulders and elbows warm, leg warmers for the ankles, ballet slippers. During warmer weather I might wear camisole or a tank top with jazz pants or capris, and ballet slippers. For workshops where I will be dancing all day I bring a variety of footwear and change them out during the breaks. Seems to help the feet stay a little less stressed. Also can adjust shoes for the surface--like Foot Undeez for carpet, dance sneakers for tile, ballet slippers and jazz shoes for wood, etc.

Souzan

So I have been looking around and I decided that I want to get a pair of split sole ballet shoes. The only problem is....they are all in pink, black or white. Has anyone seen anyone selling them in nude?

I have had good success with Discount Dance Supply, online & catalog. Faten herself often wears jazz shoes. It is a great idea to go to a dance store the first time & be fitted. Then if you like the shoes you can buy from an online source. I used my Bloch canvas split sole ballet slippers at Saffron Dance last semester. They were ok (& have the right amount of arch support for me), but the floor was a little too slippery I thought - so I had in mind to try jazz shoes but haven't gotten around to buying any yet. Unfortunately it is very hard if not impossible to find dancing shoes at an ordinary shoe store any more. The soles are all made to try to prevent slipping. You need a smoother surface for any kind of dance, unless you don't plan to do any real turns, only the stepping turns. There is a dance store in Vienna VA sort of near the Metro. I haven't bought shoes there though. There are a couple of good stores in Montgomery Co. that I know of - both near Metro - one in Bethesda & one in Rockville. A good store has people who know how to fit you, & will usually have an area where you can try a few steps & look in the mirror (w/ mini dance floor). The Discount Dance Supply catalog says they can work with you even if you don't know your size though. Socks or bare feet would probably be better than the Payless shoes. Sometimes I wear socks with "Dr Roth's Tabs" arch supports underneath. There is something really great about the feel on the foot of a ballet slipper though. It makes the foot work well.

Sorry that post was kind of poorly written. I should have proofed before sending! any how the Vienna store is: Art Stone Dance & Bodywear,3083 Nutley St. Fairfax VA - Repeat Performance is the one in Rockville (White Flint area). I don't remember the name of the one in Bethesda.

Discount Dance Supply - Dancewear at discount prices including pointe shoes, leotards, ballet slippers and much more.

here's a nice looking jazz shoe - it comes in black & tan

Discount Dance Supply