Dance shoes on the cheap
Post by Nyree MacPherson
When I first started dancing, I was going to a bar and wearing Birkenstocks. They didn’t even have a heel strap. This is not a dance shoe I would suggest. It took a few months for me to finally decide that I should ‘invest’ in a dance shoe for real.Unfortunately, I decidedly didn’t have the money for the real ones. So for all you new dancers on very tight budgets, I present to you my top 4 picks for shoes to dance in for under $20.
FOR LESS THAN THE PRICE OF A HOTDOG
Chinese Laundry Shoes- ~$2/pair
Chinatown is the place to go for the very cheapest shoes. While leather is the best material for your shoe soles, hard plastic will slide well on most floors as well. My very first shoes were the Chinese laundry slippers. they aren’t great, but they were a perfect starter shoe and they were way better than Birks. If you find yourself downtown without a dance shoe, this is a decent option.
TAPE!
Gaff tape- ~$10 for enough tape to last a year
Taping your shoes can be a great way to get through a single night of dancing. Your very best option is gaff tape. the fabric is soft and smooth and can hold up to a whole night. Remember to always tape lengthwise to avoid peeling.
You can get gaff tape at most hardware stores but if you visit Rotblotts on Adelaide, they have dozens of colours and extra wide tape that will cover a whole shoe width.
FOR LESS THAN A TTC DAY PASS
Used Bowling shoes- ~$10
Bowling shoes are by far my favourite dance shoes. This is the cheapest way to get a pair of leather soles. The heels are still rubber which means no heel slides, but it also means that you can catch your balance after quick spins. It also helps make sure you stay on the balls of your feet. I have picked up a few pairs in various places. Kensington Market and Value Village usually have some around and I’ve got mine for $8 each. Toronto Lindy Hop does not condone ‘forgetting’ to take off your rental shoes at the bowling alley.
Men’s Dress Shoes
Another great option at second hand stores is men’s shoes. Even as a lady with very small feet, I have found leather soled, worn in shoes. I’ve found them for around $10.
A simple sole cushion will also make them really comfy and help fix up sizing if you have narrow feet.
FOR LESS THAN DINNER AND A DRINK
Ballet practice slippers
These are great especially if you are inclined towards blues and dancing in places with nice floors. They are suede soled and fold nicely into a purse.
Suede-it-Yourself
Having just done this, its actually really easy and the result is great! Find a scrap of suede at a local leather or fabric store, trace your sole and cut it out. Then just stick it to the clean shoe sole using contract cement. The result is great and you get to choose your most comfortable pair of shoes! Added bonus: if you use a tacky old suede piece of clothing you can get a ton of colour options!
At the end of the day, as long and your shoes are comfortable and you don’t stick to the floor too much, you are gonna be fine.
What about you? Have you found any great shoes to use before upgrading to ‘real’ dance shoes?
by Nyree MacPherson
Good article, I have yet to try the bowling shoes but I hope to give them a try one day too. I work on the outskirts of the city and whenever I have time on the way home and see a thrift store, Value village, goodwill ect I pop in quickly and take a quick look for solid used mens leather bottom dress shoes. I look for a comfy fit and little wear on them and also see that they are at least somewhat lighter in weight. Most times I am in and out in five minutes and find nothing suitable but over the course of the year I tend to find enough decent shoes to fill my needs usually $9 to $12 each or so. I also found some of my favorite ties and vest doing the five min dash and search. If you can spare the time to keep an eye out you can sometimes get some nice stuff, hope this helps.