YES! They can.
Each specific dance has it's own shoe which facilitates and supports the type of movement done in that particular technique.
In this post I'm going to talk about Ballroom and Latin dance shoes which are made with suede or split leather bottoms. These materials on the sole help the foot to glide across the floor and at the same time it also has a certain amount of 'stick' which creates control.
There is nothing worse for a dancer than a dance floor that is too slick or a dance shoe that needs to be brushed (I'll explain shoe brushes in tomorrow's post). To be spinning and rotating around the floor, often simultaneously, and not have a good grip under your feet can be a little scary and very uncomfortable to the dancer.
Questions to determine when buying dance shoes
Are they comfortable?
You should feel like you'd be able to walk a marathon in your dance shoes, because by the end of the night it's very likely that you will do the equivalent in dancing.
Are they secure?
You don't want your shoes falling off your feet when you're walking down the street, can you image moving to the beat of the music and having the back of your shoe keep slipping off, or even the entire foot inside the shoe feeling wobbly? Make sure the straps feel secure.
Are the straps too tight?
Be sure that the straps are not digging anywhere into your foot, that's a horror scene. I had to buy a pair of shoes in a pinch last year at an event and they were just terrible. After the first hour, I was dancing in pain and most of the night until I just couldn't take it anymore. So, buy for comfort not hoping to break them in.
Are they YOUR style?
I know this may seem a little superficial but, it's true. I feel like I dance better when I am wearing my favorite Strappy Sexy Latin Dance Shoes! They are pretty, sexy, fun, and wearing them makes me feel the same. So pick out a pair of shoes that you just love!
Go ahead, pick out the ones that are outrageously glittery or bold in pattern or color. Your moving feet on the dance floor are often watched – why not dress them up?!
Dance, Move, Live!
