There’s a whole range of ballroom and Latin shoes out there, so how do you start to select your very first pair? Read on to see why visiting Dancers’ Boutique for personalised advice is a safe bet, and which factors you might want to consider while you shop.
Let the staff at Dancers’ Boutique advise you on the fit
Our staff have plenty of experience in fitting ballroom and Latin shoes and will always closely advise you on the best size. We know which shoes are better for wide feet and narrow feet and how the sizing of different brands and styles can come up differently.
This is why it’s so beneficial to buy ballroom and Latin shoes in-person at a shop like Dancers’ Boutique. We are also used to factoring in any other considerations, such as bunions and orthotic insoles, and love collaborating with our customers to find their perfect shoe.
Work out the heel height that will work for you
If you aren’t used to wearing high heels, you’re new to this style of dancing or you have any podiatric or balance issues, you could start by trying some of our lower heel ballroom and Latin shoes. At Dancers Boutique, we can advise on which styles fit this criteria.
We will also take into account the shape of the heel when recommending shoes for you, because this can impact stability and comfort for dancers.
Dancers are often surprised by how comfortable our ballroom and Latin shoes are, even when they aren’t used to wearing heels. This is because ballroom and Latin shoes have a centred heel. This means the heel is positioned under the centre of your heel, rather than at the back like most high-street heeled shoes.
If you are used to wearing high heels in everyday life or to special events, you will likely feel more confident starting with a mid-height heel and also trying the higher heel styles we offer.
Consider all the different styles available
Let us show you all the different styles we think might work for you. They can often look different on your feet than they do on our shelves. Our customers are often surprised by which shoes end up being their absolute favourites!
Certain brands of shoes are also more padded than others, so once you have them on you may feel a difference in your comfort and this may influence your decision too.
Would you benefit from more than one pair of shoes?
As dancers progress on their ballroom and Latin journeys, they often build up their dance shoe wardrobe! Some dancers might like to start with two pairs from the begining.
Having two pairs might mean having:
a black pair and a silver pair,
a low heel pair and a higher heel pair,
a closed toed pair for winter and an open toed pair for summer
a practice shoe and a social shoe.
Colour and style, open toe or closed toe and level of embellishment are all different factors to consider. Often customers like to consider what they are likely to wear to dance class and imagine the shoes they choose as part of this ensemble!
Ready to get started? Visit us at Dancers’ Boutique to try on different styles and be guided by our staff in-person.
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Yes, we sell ballroom and Latin shoes for men as well. These have a suede sole for slip and grip and are made of a soft leather. They have a low heel. Male dancers can also come and try the shoes on in-person and be advised by our sales team on the correct fit.
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Ballroom and Latin shoes are specifically produced for this style of dancing. They are more flexible and lightweight than other heels you may be dancing in, or any trainer you may have been using.
They have a suede sole that allows you to glide across the floor more easily, and turn more easily. If you dance in ordinary trainers, you will find that your feet stick to the floor more when you turn and this can be very harsh on the knees and ankles. Ballroom and Latin styles of dance also require a small heel to properly execute many of the moves.
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Our ballroom and Latin shoes for men and women range in price from £48.95 to £80.00.
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Dancers’ Boutique stocks selected ballroom and Latin shoes from Roch Valley, Merlet, SoDanca and Capezio.
