Dancers Advise: What Heels to Dance In?

Proper footwear is the foundation of every dancer’s success. If your shoes pinch or cause any kind of discomfort, you simply won’t be able to dance for long — and even the greatest personal charm won’t save the situation. So what should you wear to comfortably dance through the entire night? If you dance exotic dance like we do, here are a few tips from experienced dancers that will definitely come in handy.

Choosing the right type of footwear

Our dance style may differ from others, but one thing remains constant — ideal choices are dance shoes or high heels. You can buy them in dance shops, regular shoe stores or sex shops, both brick-and-mortar and online. Wedge heels, ballet flats, or shoes and sandals with flat soles are not suitable. Believe it or not, we’ve even encountered dancers wearing flip-flops in clubs. No — that’s not the way. Remember, you need to look sexy and chic, which makes choosing the right model absolutely essential.

The right size

It is quite common for some dancers to wear shoes one size smaller at work. In the case of brands like Pleaser, this is often necessary. When buying shoes in a standard store, it depends on the specific model. Every shoe, however, will eventually stretch during dancing. In pole dance, the foot is under significant pressure, and especially the front part of the shoe flexibly expands under strain. To ensure the shoes stay firmly on your feet, don’t slip, and remain comfortable throughout your shift, choosing a size smaller works perfectly. Of course, you’re not dancing non-stop all night — you also chat and relax — but don’t worry, the smaller size will soon feel comfortable. Try it and see for yourself. For example, our Martinka usually wears size 36 or 37 in everyday shoes, but all her heels are size 35.

Heel and platform height

If you’re a beginner dancer, proceed carefully and avoid unnecessary risks. High heels equal lower stability. At the start of your dancing career, opt for shoes with a lower heel. It’s also important to consider whether you can actually walk in high heels at all. Platforms, however, are a different story — here the rule is simple: the higher the platform, the more comfortable the shoes. Train gradually and move on to truly high footwear only once you feel confident. A fall, injury or embarrassing moment in front of customers is definitely not worth a slightly prettier look.

What not to do at work

Dancers’ working hours can be long. Some girls try to give their feet a break by changing shoes during their shift. We’d like to point out that this looks unattractive and, more importantly, unprofessional. Don’t change your shoes. Customers like our dance footwear. Take enough time to choose the right pair and focus on finding shoes that are both comfortable and visually appealing. It may seem difficult, but you will definitely find the right pair and soon learn where to buy suitable shoes.

Good to know

We probably don’t need to remind you that shoe sprays and foot-care cosmetics can be very useful. Your feet do a lot of hard work, so taking proper care of them is essential. That said, we want to highlight one more recommendation for wearing open shoes. Your feet will feel much better with adhesive insoles — ideally washable and reusable ones. They cost around €6 and work brilliantly; we recommend, for example, these. Avoid gel insoles, though — when your feet sweat, they tend to slip.

Comfort plays a crucial role in your performance as a dancer. Make shoes one of your top priorities — they can significantly and positively influence your work.

Only a beautiful, reasonably satisfied and relaxed dancer will attract as many customers as she needs.

What are your experiences with dance footwear? Leave us a comment — we’d love to hear from you!

Source: Martina’s Agency
Cover photo by Eric Nopanen on Unplash