Ladies Ballroom

The most important thing is to find comfortable shoes for your feet.

Injury is not an acceptable price to pay for style!

There are lots of different styles of ballroom shoes and it can be a bit overwhelming. You can break them down into a few different options in various parts of the shoe:

Toe shape

Round Toe has more room at the front of the shoe
Pointed Toe traditionally thought to look more elegant but can pinch your toes together

Vamp shape

Round the usual shape, for the most secure fit around the front of your feet.
V shaped for a more beautiful look (according to Karen Hilton), also gives you more room and don't hold your feet in as much around your toes.

Pointed toe

V-shaped vamp

(International ICS Superstar) as worn by Karen Hilton MBE

round toe

round vamp

(Supadance Style 1016)

Strap

with: for those who need a little more support in the shoe (slim ankles / narrow feet)
without: for a cleaner look and less hassle taking on/off. No need for a strap if your feet are normal.

This shoe (Supadance style 1012) is particularly suited for people with narrow feet or slim ankles as it gives the most support around the foot.For those that have normal width feet, it is recommended to go for the wide fitting or half a size larger as the cut of the whole shoe is quite narrow.

DANSport, made by International Dance Shoes (IDS), make a similar shoe (style C2005). It's less expensive but a little harder on the feet.

Heel - Size

Most women wear 2.5 inch heels.

It is not recommended to go to 3 inches unless you are significantly shorter than your partner.

2 inches tends to look less stylish but can be useful if your feet get tired easily in high heels.

Heel - Shape

Slim heels are the typical elegant ballroom heels but due to their small base, offer the least support.
Flare / IDS have a larger, squarer base and thus offer more stable balance. However, you may find heel turns a little more difficult due to the angle the heel makes with the floor. They also look slightly heavier than the slim heels.
Contour heels are a development specific to Supadance shoes and are halfway between slim and flare. They offer the increased balance of flare but also the elegant look of slim.

Any combination of heel size, shape, vamp, strap, toe is acceptable and it all depends on what your feet and body prefer.

Haibo wears Supadance style 1012, 2 inch contour heels as they offer the best combination of support and security (with a strap). The lower heel makes her feel more balanced.

Helen wears Supadance style 1012, 2.5 inch contour heels since they offer the most support.

Amanda prefers pointed toe, round vamp, such as Supadance 1004, 2.5 inch heel shoes without straps for practice and with straps for extra security in competitions.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse