How High Is Too High?
As a professional dancer, one of the major concerns you should have is being able to work the dance floor all night long. Essentially, there will be different reasons why this could take place. It could be from performing at a beautiful concert, festivals, congress or multi-day dancing. Regardless of the reason, getting the perfect pair of dancing shoes is the only way to make it a success. However, dancing comfortably for hours can not only be attributed to skill and practice, but also, to the heel length of your shoe.
Now, there are many other factors to consider, like the size and height of the dancer. This is so because according to research, the taller & heavier you are, the more difficulty you would have, dancing for longer hours. Also, beginners might not necessarily be skilled at performing for long hours. So, you should consider these before picking out the perfect heel length.
To help you understand more, this article will be broken down into different sections;
What Heel Size Is Best For Beginners?
For dancers who are just starting their professional career and are unsure of what heel size to get, it is safer to stick to a heel size of 1.5″. A sturdy and balanced ballroom or salsa dance shoe with a heel length of 1.5″ is absolutely perfect for beginning dancers. Also, it is a great choice for dancers with physical limitations and those, who aren’t great at walking in heels. With that variation of low heels, you can dance a long time without strain and discomfort. Hence, you will certainly be comfortable after hours of dancing.
Professional Dancers
If you’re a professional and have had quite a history of working in heels, then it’ll be easier to opt for higher heels. Start off with a mid-range heel length of 2.5″- 3″. This heel length is the perfect choice for talented dancers, who are quite experienced with dancing for hours. However, this number can jump all the way to 3.5″- 4″, depending on how great you are. A perfect example is the megastar, Beyoncé Knowles, who is known for her amazing and mind-blowing shows. How do you think she delivers excellent dance sets every single time? Well, she is a world-class performer, but her shoes play a huge role in the entire process.
So Beyoncé is about 5′ 7″, which is taller than the average woman and could cause her to get tired easily at every performance. However, she always seems to ace every show without expressing any form of fatigue. According to one of her stylist, she wears shoes with a heel length of 4¼” and heel thickness at ¾”. This dimensions offers her full support and comfort. Even though it might seem scary, once you’ve begun performing, you will get comfortable with higher and thicker heels after a while.
In summary, when picking out a dancing shoe for a show that requires you to be on your feet all night, think comfort and ankle support first. Start off using shoes with lower and thicker heels, especially as a beginner and gradually transition into a higher heel. This will help you perform better and longer without any form of injury.
