I’m in a dance shoe identity crisis!
It’s not too serious, though a common concern among people trying out or returning to various dance styles.
The exploration is ongoing as our knowledge of dance techniques grows, our own bodies and the dance styles and shoes themselves change and evolve.
Folks often ask why I mostly wear socks to teach and dance these days, and what they themselves should wear to beginner ballet or other styles of dance classes.
This year I’ve been studying Argentine Tango for the first time, and that requires different considerations in terms of footwear, due to the type of flooring and the technique being wholly different from the ballet and modern dance studios and stages to which I am accustomed.
I’ve recently been sharing my creative supplies and EDC/Everyday Carry essentials, so along those lines, here is an informal chat with more information about what dance shoes I regularly use and what is appropriate for a first movement class for adults or children.
Dancing in Socks?
So why do I wear socks and what are they?
My dancey socks are just plain black, very thin and high cotton-content (80-90% or higher ideally) for breathability and grip, business-type socks which I purchase in 3-packs at a local department store. I have a bunch of pairs so I can wash between wears, like them to teach yoga and ballet, barre and barre a terre, modern and contemporary…
Wearing socks instead of ballet slippers or dancing with bare feet was a practice I started since I suffered from a plantar wart (lots of dance floors in those days too, hard to know where it came from!) while getting my MFA in dance and teaching.
While re-staging a modern dance piece called “Blue Green,” Betsy Fisher taught me to dye thin white cotton socks to my skin tone, so that the visual effect was that of bare feet. I found them very comfortable, with a bit of protection and as they wore in, a good mix of slip and grip for the technically demanding piece.
During that time it was also becoming a contemporary dance trend of black socks for dancing. There are specifically dance socks on the market, with technical features in terms of support, but I haven’t tried any myself yet.
Sometimes I also dance in ballet slippers, pointe shoes, jazz shoes, or other suitable footwear, such as sneakers outside or even boots.
Maybe socks are right for you as well, or perhaps after your first lesson or chatting with the instructor you find there is a dance shoe just for you.
“Blue Green,” performed by myself and Mareva Minerbi, choreography by Carl Wolz, music composed by Francis Poulenc, re-staged by Betsy Fisher at the University of Hawai’i Kennedy Theatre.
Starting New Dance Styles
The best advice to new or returning students: consult with your teacher before investing in a specific technical shoe and then get properly fitted.
Wait until you’re committed and have a track record of participation rather than buying a bunch of gear before knowing what to look for. Yes, shopping for kit is fun, but not a practical approach to investing in the right sort of equipment. We need to get to know the demands of the craft a little bit first before
My new dance style this year is Argentine Tango and I have yet to buy specific shoes that would be best suited, still considering what style to invest in for myself. Observing and talking with the instructor, taking a look at what folks wear in our studio and in videos online, and experiencing the movements and the floors will ultimately inform the decision of which shoes are right.
Ballet Shoes for Kids
For children, it’s generally practical with ballet slippers to size up a little. As long as they are not too loose, this accommodates for fast foot growth especially important because too-tight shoes get painful and we need to make sure to have room for the toes to spread and move.
Here it is especially important to talk to the prospective teacher/studio first before shopping to make sure to buy the approved footwear and not waste money on the wrong style. Wherever possible, avoid extra decoration, bows, prints, elastic bands and ribbons as these distract young movers.
Adult Dancing Feet
It might be that your feet and needs change as an adult as well, so don’t wear your former dancing shoes if you find they are no longer comfortable! Widening, lengthening, growing stronger or changing form in other ways, an important feature of movement technique as an adult is adapting to our changing state. Addressing any aches, pains, and challenges that come along, especially in the feet since they affect the whole body, is important, and we may need to pursue physical therapy or orthopedic consultation, professional shoe fitting or other appropriate treatment so that we can keep on dancing our whole life long.
Flooring is Important
Even more important than footwear is the floor on which you are dancing, both the surface texture and the structure underneath. For high-impact dance techniques such as ballet, which involves a lot of jumping and demanding maneuvers, it is critical for our dancing longevity to have a properly sprung/springy under-floor construction as well as a smooth, clean and slightly grippy surface. We are rightfully careful and picky about our floors.
Shoes must then be compatible with the flooring type (not too sticky, not too slippery) and can only somewhat address the surface to an extent. Think of running shoes on concrete, you get some cushioning to the joints but it’s still pretty gnarly. Both floors and shoes need the right amount of bounce, slip or grip for the dance technique and our own physicality, and these are factors that take time and experience to consider.
Questions for Reflection
- In what attire are you most comfortable moving?
- What essential items nourish your creativity and productivity?
- Which physical things support living your purpose?
- Which type(s) of dancing have you always wanted to try?
- What type of shoe would you like to invest in for your new dance style?
- What creative challenges are you currently facing?
Resources for Further Exploration
I created this Digest of Dance Resources I’ve created so far to celebrate International Dance Day this year and my library of Ballet & Dance video resources includes theoretical and historical lessons, movement tutorials, and practice sessions. The videos are handily grouped into thematic playlists many of which as suitable to beginners, such as:
- Ballet Barre Playlist
- Ballet Centre Playlist
- Wonderful Dance Warmup Playlist
- Balletlicious Ballet Conditioning & Cross-Training Playlist
- Sumptuous Stretching Playlist
Here are a few past creative challenges that I have shared, with future opportunities to be announced as well:
- Balletlicious Building Blocks of Dance Challenge
- Get Down Daily Creative Dance Challenge
- Ignite the Spark of Creativity – 6 Ways to Be Inspired
Further opportunities to learn with me:
- Balletlicious with Blythe Ballet Syllabus Google Hyper-Doc with Links to tutorials available by request to students and weekly email newsletter subscribers
- My approximately-weekly Email Newsletter itself is a feast of dancey and creative living resources, featuring my latest creations and those of other awesome folks
- Live Classes In-Studio & Online: Mindful Movement (Ballet, Barre a Terre, Dance, Yoga…) to move together at home or anywhere in the world
It is a fun lifelong exploration and I wish you all the best in your dancing adventures! Let me know how I can be of service as you dance through life.
Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
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Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life
DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.
