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Usually when people want to take a heels dance class, they get stuck on one important step: What kind of heels do I wear for a heels dance class?
At the end of the day, you should wear whatever shoe that makes you feel the most comfortable (even if they are sneakers! Sneakers are always welcome in our classes). But if you want to live the authentic heels class experience, here’s some guidance plus our brand recommendations.
Higher heels make it harder to dance as they require more balance from the dancer. If you’re a beginner and a high heel makes you nervous, start with a pair of heels that is lower! A two-inch heel is great until you’re comfortable enough to go up to four inches. Most heels dance shoes are between 3-4.5 inches high, and some brands let buyers pick their preferred heel height.
We sometimes see dancers come to class with heels that have a platform on the sole of the shoe. While this platform can make the height not feel as extreme, the platform takes away your ability to feel the floor beneath your foot. With the quick movements that are sometimes done in a heels class, the platform will make you shakier and more likely to fall or tweak an ankle, so we do not recommend wearing these sorts of shoes to a heels dance class (although they are great for pole dance). Feeling the floor beneath the sole of your foot will allow you to properly balance and distribute your weight.
The perfect shoe for a heels class has a stiletto heel. If you’re a beginner, try wearing a shoe with a thicker heel first - we often recommend our new students wear something they already have in their closet for their first few classes, like a fall bootie with a thick heel.
Thick heels give the dancer more support, but only stiletto heels will give you the range to execute proper heels technique as you advance in your heels dance journey.
The ideal heels will have laces, allowing you to adjust the shoe to your foot and ankle. Your shoe will stretch and change shape with time, and laces will let you wear that pair for as long as possible through adjustments. Shoes without laces work as well, but they will become looser over time and you won’t be able to tighten them.
And what’s especially nice about laces is you can change them out as they wear out, making your heels feel brand new!
Ankle support is so important in a heel! Your ankle and foot should feel secure and snug in the shoe - you don’t want too much breathing room in there, especially not at your ankle. Pick a shoe that comes all the way up to your ankle and use the laces to secure it as much as you’re comfortable. In addition to laces, look for zippers! With a zipper, you won’t need to constantly undo and lace up your shoes. Just slip them on.
Do you have to wear heels to a heel dance class?
At Bloom, wearing heels to our classes is not mandatory. We want students to feel their best as they connect to their sensuality, so if sneakers or socks make that easiest, that’s great!
Where should I buy heels dance shoes?
In the last few years lots of brands have started to sell heels dance shoes! Our favourites are Burju, Made for Dancers, Vamp (Vamp makes sizes for men), and sometimes you can get lucky on Amazon, Shein, or Fashion Nova.
Where do I start as a beginner?
Start in a beginner class! Bloom’s beginner class combos are always made with brand new dancers in mind - no dance experience necessary. It is completely normal to feel like a baby giraffe for your first few months of class.
We also have an extensive online school platform that has beginner combo classes plus technique breakdowns for our new dancers.
Going to class is scary… what do I do?
It’s easier said than done, but just remember that everyone in class is focused on themselves. Just like you are worried about how you might look and be perceived, we can guarantee that even the best dancers in the class are also thinking about themselves. Hopefully remembering this can be freeing!
If going into a studio class is still too much, try online heels dance classes first from the comfort of your home. Our online heels classes are taught exactly like our in person classes (and the combos are the same), giving you the class experience without the pressure.
Bloom is located in Ottawa, Canada, and we are dedicated to providing quality heels dance classes for all levels that allow dancers to connect to their sensuality in a safe space. Our classes are both in person and online.