When it comes to the vivacious worlds of Charleston and Swing, the right footwear can make all the difference. From the raucous energy of the Charleston to the intricate rhythmic Swing moves, both styles require a shoe which supports the iconic swivel. Getting the right pair of shoes to support these timeless styles of dance isn't just a fashion statement; it's your partner in dance. Get ready to discover the ideal footwear that will not only boost your confidence but will help you slide and swivel with style.
When searching for the perfect dance shoe, it’s essential to consider several key factors to ensure comfort, performance, and style. Here’s a short overview of what to look for in a dance shoe.
Dance Style: Charleston dance is all about the swivel, therefore you need a non-grip sole, we recommend leather or suede sole.
Good Fit: Dance shoes should be snug but not tight, bear in mid they will stretch slightly with use. They should fit the ankle perfectly so find a size which is a true to your foot as possible – not too tight not too loose.
Elena and Fiona, MyCharleston co-founders dancing in Katz Greek Sandals
Shoe Material: Suede or leather are the most common materials; a soft leather allows for more freedom of movement, and it feels good too.
Heel Type: Some sort of heel is helpful in Charleston because when you are swivelling you are moving on the balls of the foot. A lower heel helps with balance, the more flared the heels is the more stability it will provide.
Appearance: For those who want the vintage look or a really stylish shoe there is plenty of choice however if you are someone who lives in trainers you could consider a shoe cover designed for dancing. Whatever style you decide upon go for something that feels suits your style.
Support: Factor in your foot shape when choosing your dance shoe, you may want cushioning in the insole and adequate arch support. Support along the side of the foot is also important if you tend towards underpronation (when the foot rolls out)
Elena dancing in Slide and Swing Shoes
Cost: If you are just beginning your dance journey, I would recommend spending no more than £30. The cost of specialist Charleston and Swing Shoes can be in the hundreds, and they are worth the money if you discover this is your passion. You can also adapt shoes you already have but having a suede sole put onto your shoe or another good option is a shoe cover for dancers.
With these key characteristics in mind, we’ve compiled a list of top-notch dance shoe reccomendations that combine style, comfort, and performance to enhance your Charleston experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, these shoes are designed to help you “Swing in Style” So you can perfect your Charleston swivel with confidence and flair.
Greek Sandals
Cheap, light, strike a good balance between grip and slide. The down side is they don’t offer much support and they definitely aren’t outdoor shoes, so save them for the dance studio and you’ll perfect your swivel in no time
Silver Sparkle Greek Sandals
Silver with clip
Black Greek Sandals
Greek Tan Sandals
Trainer Covers
Get the support of a trainer but take away the grip with these trainer covers
Black https://amzn.to/3PJHYRD
Jazz Shoes
Light and good for swivel but don’t have a leather or suede sole.
Toms
These fashion shoes are very popular in the Lindy Hop scene. They are a solid pair of shoes, good on swivel but the soles don’t offer great flexibility.
Women https://amzn.to/3F5Li4C
Character Shoes
A lot of dancer find a bit of heel is actually quite helpful. I’m a big fan of character shoes but would advise going to a dance shop and getting ones which are a really good fit, if the feet are in any way sliding within the shoes you will feel unstable.
Fashion Shoes
Some of the best shoes people have showed up to class in have been bought on the High Street or Charity Shops! Often in the style of pumps or brogues the best ones tend to be made of softish leather and with leather soles which offer glide.
Dedicated Swing, Lindyhop and Charleston Shoe Brands
Aris Allen
Aris Allen is a shoe brand which offers dance shoes with a suede sole for women and men. The shoes are designed by swing dancers for other swing dancers
Price range: £39 - £62
https://arisallen.com/
Bleyer Shoes
Bleyer Shoes offers many different styles of dance shoes for both, men and women. The brand is run by a UK based company called The Swing Dance Company Limited.
Price range: £40 - £115
http://bleyershoes.com/
Charlie Stone
This brand offers Greek Sandals with a unique design with hidden elevation for better arch and ankle knee. All shoes have leather upper and lining and a smooth sole, so that you can swivel perfectly over the dance floor
Price range: £82 – £93
https://www.charliestoneshoes.com/collections/all
Groovy Fox
A brand dedicated to providing high quality, authentic and comfortable, yet affordable shoes to wear on and off the dance floor. Handmade shoes from Bulgaria for Swing and Charleston dancers.
Price: £100-£150
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Slide&Swing
Slide&Swing was established in Spain in 2013 and you can get dance shoes for both men and women. They are all handmade with an upper, lining and sole all in leather, so the shoe is very light and smooth.
Price range: £111 - £155
https://www.slideandswing.es/shop/
Saint Savoy
These dance shoes for men and women are a bit more pricey, but you get really beautiful classic dance shoes with leather soles or synthetic soles. All shoes are tested by professional dancers to see if the shoe really makes a good dance shoe considering the comfort of your feet while dancing.
Price range: £165 - £196
https://www.saintsavoy.com/
Swivells
Created in Paris the Swivells collection is inspired by the world of Swing to revisit classics with colour, comfort and lightness. The products are manufactured near Porto, Portugal, and Alicante, Spain, with the aim of limiting the use of materials harmful to the planet.
https://swivells.com/en
£100-£150
In conclusion, finding the perfect Charleston dance shoe is not just about style, it’s about optimizing your performance. In my experience no one shoe is suitable for all occasions, what I wear in class is different to the shoes I perform or social dance in. If you are beginner dancer the right footwear can make a world of difference in your dance journey but don’t spend too much initially. Once you’ve explored this vibrant dance style you can invest in quality dance shoes that align with your passion. If you’ve found this guide helpful, share it with fellow dance enthusiasts, and let’s keep the dance community thriving. Happy Dancing!