Dance shoes are generally worn smaller than you would wear regular street shoes. They must fit snugly without hurting so you can maintain proper balance on the dance floor. This means that all parts of the shoes should be covered by your feet. If your feet move easily inside the shoes, you cannot properly control your balance or your dance posture.

In closed-toe styles (ladies and men's), the toes should be as close to the end of the shoes as possible without actually rubbing. In sandal styles, the toes should completely cover the soles of the shoes and it is preferable if the toes actually "hang over the edges" of the shoes just a bit (up to 1/4 inch).

If your shoes begin to stretch enough to allow your feet to slip inside them, invest in a pair of foam inner soles and use them. The more your feet can move inside dance shoes, the faster the shoes will stretch, become misshapen and wear out.

Be sure to brush the suede soles of your shoes to keep them free of wax and dirt build-up from the dance floors. The wax causes soles to wear faster and clings to small dirt particles that can cause the soft suede soles to wear away. Be sure to polish leather shoes regularly to keep them from looking scuffed. Also use a silicon oil or polish to keep patent shoes from sticking and cracking.

NEVER WEAR YOUR DANCE SHOES OUTSIDE AS LONG AS YOU WILL BE USING THEM AS DANCE SHOES! The beautiful shoes you buy are made by skilled craftsmen, balanced and especially made for dancing. They are a necessary accessory for ballroom dancing and will make your dancing far more enjoyable.

Keep on Dancing!