Wonderful site! It has already become my homepage!

I've been dancing Int Ballroom and Int Latin since the begining of this year, and loving every minute of it, though it was not so easy at first: So I thought I'd share my experience. I am an extrovert guy in my early 30s, with a smile always on my face, so I didnt have a problem going to the groupclasses on my own, but I soon got an uneasy feeling that the women thought I was a predator after an easy date, and so I felt uncomfortable enough to quit after two lessons. I then put an advert on a local website for a steady dancepartner (got over 20 offers!!) and it was only when I came back to the class a month later with a partner did the other women in the group start trusting me. Curiously, now that they see how much I simply love dancing and how much progress I have made, they all can't get enough of me, and can't take their eyes off my "Latin motion"!!!!!

Ironically, I am really glad that I found a steady partner, as we are able to build on previous classes, improving steadily, and enjoying ourselves as opposed to turning up at a group session without knowing which of the other dancers will be available for you to dance with, or whether they missed the previous week's session!

After all that: I do have a question about shoes. I intend to carry on dancing all 10 dances, but I can currently only justify the purchase of one pair of shoes.

1)Should I get Latin shoes? (with 1.5 inch heels)?

2)Should I get Standard shoes which seem to have a lower heel?

3)is there a third option?

Currently training 6 hrs a week. No intention of competing (yet)

Many thanks in advance

Personally I recommend investing in a pair of Latin shoes.

You stand to gain more from dancing latin in the 1.5 heel than you would with a pair of smooth shoes.

You can get shoes off Wal-Mart shelves that resemble smooth shoes. The main difference being the weight and general feel. I've never danced smooth with regular shoes on and said, wow these are heavy.

But I have danced latin in regular shoes and said, a taller heel would be nice for when I'm self-slacking on my footwork.

You will gain some posture with a taller heel, thus helping you work that cuban motion and general latin presence.

Just my two cents, enjoy the dancing!

Does Wal-Mart sell shoes with sueded soles???

If you're dancing any version of ballroom (American, International)standard or latin you'll want sueded soles.

It's like a motorcycles: Unless you've owned a Harley you haven't owned a motorcycle (At least that's what my friends who own Harleys tell me).

You can dance latin in standard shoes but you'll find it difficult to dance standard in latin shoes.

So if you're planning on dancing both but only want one pair then standard is the way to go. You'll just lose some of the hip action in latin but I'm sure the ladies won't mind.

OB

Thanks for all the info people.

also had a read on some other sites so
Standard shoes it is then!

I will try out the shoes before buying them, ofcourse.

Also noticed they now even sell standard shoes with a split sole.. that should help in Latin..wouldnt it?

MidnightDancer,

I have helped a lot of people with shoes over the years. Take it from me you will do a hole lot better with a suede bottom shoe. You can actully injure your knee dancing in something with to much traction such as rubber bottom shoes. Since you are not planning on competing (at least not yet)

I recommend you go with the lower 1” heel used for standard. I would not go with the the split sole in anything but the 1.5" latin shoe if I were you. I highely doubt it would give you enough support for your standard dancing. Most male social dancers just wear a normal 1" heel none split sole shoe even for Latin. Since it is a hole lot easier to dance latin in smooth shoes then it is to try and dance standard in latin heels. You should be able to get all the flex you need (as a non-competitive dancer) but with more support from a non split sole shoe.

You can get really good quality shoes that will last you longer then other brands for a good price at amysafter5.com.

P.S. Anything Walmart may carry is not meant for ballroom dancing.