CHECK OUR SIZING TIPS before you order - you may want to get a full size larger than usual.
These are gorgeous, and because they're spectators, they're a little fun. Reminiscent of early 20th century men’s sport shoes. Constructed in canvas lined with microfiber with removable insoles. The light weight and low heel gives you incredible agility on the dance floor - perfect for dancers of all skill levels.usual.
- Color: Deep Black Canvas with Winter White.
- Sole: The suede-bottom sole is incredibly light and flexible - basically: not made for hiking - and should not be worn on the street.
- Removable Insoles: Microfiber-covered foam.
- Weight: Feather-light
- When you wear these you'll feel like a cat - nimble, surefooted, ready to spring into action - but with the slide- and spin-ability that suede soles give you. They look close enough to a dress shoe to wear with slacks, but act like an athletic sneaker.
- Item #: 670-BW
SIZING TIPS - (ALL SHOES ARE USA SIZES):
(Our returns show we are right about 90% of the time)
CHECK THE PHOTOS FOR OUR CHART WITH MEASUREMENTS (measurements of the inside of the actual upper)
We've found - by trying these on countless dancers (plus we monitor returns closely):
- Narrow width: You will likely fit your regular dress shoe size or 1/2 size up.
- Medium width: If you are medium width you will likely fit a full size larger - please check the measurements chart.
- Wide width: These are not recommended for wide width. However, one of our test dancers with extra-wide feet (EEE) who absolutely fell in love with these found he fit 1 full size larger than normal with no heel slippage but had to wear them for awhile before they stretched enough to feel good. He's normally a 9.5 wide and fits a 10.5 in these.
SPECS:
- The heel is 7/8” so it looks like an ordinary shoe, but because the rest of the shock-absorbing sole is 1/2” your heel is only a little higher than the rest of your foot - which really helps your stability.
ABOUT ARIS ALLEN SWING DANCE SHOES:
Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes or sneakers will ever be. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing. At the very least they feel you should be wearing something comfortable because swing dancing is like running track :)
ABOUT SUEDE SOLES:
- These are made with suede soles which are wonderful to dance on. The suede on the sole is sewn on so they last longer than most other brands' soles. Important: the suede on the heel is NOT sewn on and may catch on something and start to peel off. Most dancers are familiar with this happening and already own shoe glue - but we've had great success with a hot glue gun.
- NOTE: Usually we say that suede soles for swing dancers are meant to be worn outside so they get dirty and wet so you can dance faster when they dry to a mirror-like finish. But these are so light that they are almost like slippers - you'll only want to wear them on the dance floor.
- If you prefer them less zippy you can dull the “mirror finish” on the bottom by periodically roughing them up with a wire brush.
