Practice/Teaching shoes are essential for anyone who wants to walk after an all-day practice session.

• Because they're intended for the most practical of uses, the primary concern should be comfort. You'll never be a good dancer if you can't stand to be on your feet.

• Low heels, laces, and comfortable sneaker styles enable a lady to practice for hours.

Smooth/Standard Shoes

• Closed toes keep your feet safer during those close encounters.
• Lower heel allows for the more graceful turns and sways without losing your balance.
• You wouldn't want to ruin the moment with an unsightly wipe-out, would you?

Latin dancing is the bolder half of ballroom dancing, taken from the styles of South America. While the heels creep higher than they do in practice and Smooth/Standard shoes, don't forget that you'll still have to move in them.  But if there's any time you want to wow the crowd with a proper combination of sass and class, the Latin section is your chance.

• Open toed sandals should let your toes meet the very end of the shoe, even hanging off up to a quarter inch.
• Higher heels can be more alluring. If the heel is closer to the center of the foot the shoe may feel more stable and actually lift you even higher.
• Lots of jewels help the shoes bring out the best parts of an outfit.

Cross ankle strap , shown here with a peekaboo toe .

Single ankle strap , shown here with a closed toe .

T-Strap - a classic - shown with a Peekaboo Toe.