ireniecat,

It's personal preference really. I personally prefer the flare heel as it gives more support due to the slightly wider base of the heel. I find that the extra support provided by the slightly wider base of the flared heel gives me better balance and control especial when stepping on the heel or turning on the heel as you need to do in standard.

You said you need to get new shoes. I recommend going with amysafter5.com brand. They are fully padded from the heel to the toe and unlike other brands I've tried the padding does not flatten out right away so it stays cushioned longer. They are a fairly new brand but I find them to be more comfortable and made of better materials then even the top brands. And they are 1/2 the price of the top brands! (About $70) Plus they don't wear out as fast as other brands. I have yet to wear out the heel on mine and I have been wearing them for over a year for both Latin and Standard. I defiantly recommend giving them a try.