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Stepping Into Swing Dance - With the Right Pair of Shoes
Swing dancing, like any other specialized activity, comes with its own set of specialized equipment. While it is the moves that matter most, little details like the costume and the shoes help to make the overall impact! Shoes, not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but a practical one as well! Swing dance shoes provide the support that a Swing dancer’s feet truly need.
Many swing dancers start out dancing with a regular pair of shoes. However, they notice a growing discomfort after some time of wearing them. This is because regular shoes are designed for regular activities like walking, running and the like. They were not designed for the movement brought about by dance. Regular shoes aren’t really recommended for dancing. Dancing shoes are created with non-slip soles, and more arch support compared to everyday shoes. Swing dancing shoes are of no exception! Today, every dancer will find a variety of designs, colors and styles to choose from, ensuring an optimum dance experience!
A lot of swing dancing shoes give a nod back to the time when swing dancing was first created. This is why it is not surprising to find many swing dancing shoes with 20’s, 30’s and 40’s inspired designs. Many dancers also look into this time period when selecting their costumes and look for shoes to coordinate with their outfits. Wingtips are the most common dancing shoes for guys, while many girls lean towards the Mary Janes.
For the unfamiliar, Wingtips are men’s shoes which have an almost W-shaped design element at the toe end of the shoe. This “W” is most often times made in a different or contrasting color to highlight this design element. This feature is said to look like a wing, which accounts for the shoe’s name. Another choice for the men would be to select a shoe of a Captoe design. Instead of a wing shaped highlight found at the tip, the cap toe, as its name suggests has a cap shaped design feature instead.
Mary-Janes may be a more familiar style to little girl’s shoes but they reign supreme for women who swing dance. The shoe’s round toe and strap ensures comfort and security during dance. There is also a shoe similar to a pump available, for women who prefer it. This style can come with a low heel and may have rounded, pointed or squared tips.
With these shoes available in dance stores, specialty stores and even online, it is easier than ever for every dancer to get them. Good shoes assure any dancer comfort, style and many long, fun nights of dancing ahead!
