Latin & Ballroom Dance Shoes, Bridal & Fashion Shoes No, you really can’t dance in your Jimmy Choos  Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin – know how fabulous a great pair of shoes can make you feel. But can you dance in them?  The right shoes can make a big difference in how much you enjoy dancing. But choosing the right ones is confusing if you don't know what to look for.  Dance shoes should be comfortable and functional, and provide good support. Pay attention to the placement of seams and edges that could irritate.  Compared to street shoes, dance shoes are generally a little snug. Kind of like bike shorts.  Their close fit minimizes chafing.  A proper fit prevents your foot from slipping around inside your shoe and interfering with your balance and proper dance posture. A good fit also minimizes stretching and wear, so your shoes will last longer. For closed-toe styles, your toes should come as close to the end of the shoe as possible without rubbing. For sandals, your toes should completely cover the sole of the shoe, and even extend a bit beyond.  Shoe styles are even more variable than dance styles. Latin dancers typically wear open-toed shoes or strappy sandals with slim high heels. But a basic closed-toe pump with a 2 to 2.5 inch flared heel and ankle strap work well for a number dances, including Latin, waltz, or quickstep. Check out Dance Shoes on Line for a peek at what’s available.   Perhaps the most unique feature of dance shoes, aside from their feather weight, is their sole. Rubber soles inhibit your spins, and prevent you from sliding your feet during the dance, and leather soles are too slippery. But suede [sometimes called chrome leather] soles provide the right combination of grip and slide. The soles of dance shoes are also thinner, and often have a steel shank for support.   The only place you should be wearing your dance shoes is in the studio or on the dance floor. Those lovely suede soles will pick up grit that will interfere with your traction and scratch the dance floor. Carry them in a cute little bag and put them on when you get to your destination.   Caring for your shoes includes carefully cleaning the sole using a special brush designed exclusively for removing the accumulation of wax and dirt. It’s a trade-off. Each time you do this, some of the surface suede is removed, reducing the life of the sole. But gummed up soles affect your traction – they can be too slippery or too sticky.   Before you make your first purchase, try on several styles, in multiple widths, and half sizes, with a variety of heel heights. Finding an experienced salesperson can go a long way to helping you find the proper fit and style, so it’s best to buy in person the first time. Check with your dance instructor about local sources. Once you've found shoes you like and know what size you need, you can also purchase them online.  * http://www.freestyledancewear.ca/ * http://www.stardust-shoes.com/storelocation.php * http://www.werner-kern.com/danceshoes.html * http://dancesole.com/ Articles             * The "First Dance"                                  * Reception Dress           * Father Daughter Dance (Honours Dance)   * Value of Dance           * Relationships and Dance        FDC Studio Location               Registration