Black'n'white dancing shoes

[jiveoholic]

I see some dancers (usually men) wearing black and white dancing shoes. I've asked at the shops and was told that all black ones are equally available. Can someone explain this phenomena? Is it like clergy in robes?

[Tiggerbabe]

I can totally relate to this, I ordered a pair of "Suzy Q" dance shoes from TRDC and they come in both all black and black and white - the black and white ones look brilliant but I just couldn't get them as I don't think I'm a good enough dancer.

When we were at the ceroc championships last year the compere said - in the lucky dip competition - for the girls to look at their partner's shoes. If they were black and white it meant that they were very good dancers or that they just thought they were very good dancers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personally I think they look good but I tend to think if you're wearing them then you must be good - maybe it's a confidence thing and when you pass a certain point you can buy yourself a pair.

Mindy you, since I got my dance trainers I seldom wear anything else (on my feet that is, I always have clothes on, don't want to frighten the beginners!)- I do have a grey pair of these, as well as the all black ones, does that count?

[Gus]

Reminds me of the unofficial 'uniform' showing ones standard;


1. stop wearing shirts without ties, start wearing t-shirts
2. start wearing black and whites
3. start wearing braces
4. start wearing striped trousers


AND the Ultimate level

5. start wearing a hat!


What level are you at?

[Tiggerbabe]

This is definitely a guy thing! Although I have worn a hat (at a fancy dress party) and stripey trousers..................

For the girls you start off wearing comfy clothes and then find yourself drawn to anything that sparkles when you move, looks a bit unusual or has fringes on it. I have two totally different lots of clothes now - ones for wearing when out with the muggles (non-dancing friends) and the stuff I take to go to the ceroc parties. Green, imitation snake skin lycra with a gold shine kinda looses its' appeal if you're only off down the pub!

One problem with footwear that I have is that I can't dance in 7" stilletto heels and so if I do have a slinky dress on it's like being all dressed up but still wearing your school shoes. I did get a lovely pair of gold sparkly shoes in Blackpool but they still look a bit "ballroomy".

Oh the trials and tribulations of being a dancing girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gus]

Sorry ... thought there was a girl thing....from a number of the venues I've been to it seems that the higher the (perception of) experience by the gilrs, the less clothing is worn ... in terms of shortness of skirt and missing back of tops ..... or is that just wishfull thinking

Think I'll go and lie down ina darkened room for a hwil

[Heather]

As you can see from my picture, I always wear my little red hat
How on earth would you recognise Miss Bossy without it!!!!!
Seriously, I agree with Sheena, I have developed a whole new wardrobe of clothes , just for dancing. When I go shopping these days I don't look at something and think" Could I wear this to work?" I just wonder if I could dance in it. I too go for glittery gear!
I've even rediscovered my love of dressmaking and make a lot of my own outfits.
As for shoes, I have a couple of pairs, but I just love dancing in the 'Swivel' wedge shoes from TRDC. Not very glamourous but soooooooooh!!!!! comfy.

[Tiggerbabe]

Originally posted by Gus
Sorry ... thought there was a girl thing....from a number of the venues I've been to it seems that the higher the (perception of) experience by the gilrs, the less clothing is worn ... in terms of shortness of skirt and missing back of tops .....

ok Gus, you've got me, the backless tops are definitely a girl thing (they just don't look the same on the boys )

[John S]

Well, I wore a hat for the Ceroc Championships, but now I see from Gus' table that I had gone straight to Step 5 without going via the black & white shoes, braces and stripey trousers phases.

So obviously that explains my early exit from the competition. - or anyway that's my story.

At least I didn't wear a backless top or short skirt - but there's always next year.

[Amanda]

What work clothes..? For me 'serious' clothes shopping has become but a distant memory. I have one thought alone as I hit the clothes shops these days - can I dance in this..? My criteria is far reaching but as long as the clothes are sparkly/loud/girly/fun/skimpy on fabric/unusual then they're in the basket and heading quickly towards the nearest checkout. And then of course there is the limitless variety of add-on stuff that you can run up in the comfort of your own home.

And as for the black and white shoes - yes, please - and who cares what they represent.

Amanda

[filthycute]

I dunno what the black and whites are supposed to...if anything....represent, but i've got my black and white lindy hoppers. I didn't think about how i rated myself when i bought them....i just thought they looked comfy & cute

filthycute x x

[John McAulay]

WOW! I think itÕs about time some of you guys (thatÕs the blokes) woke up and smell the coffee
With all this talk of shoe and hat fashion, I think the hormone replacement treatment has gone to far.
Wear what you like, better still wear nothing at all, well commando at least.
It a bad sign, you spend so long on chat sites that you start to swap fashion tips

We thatÕs the rant over with
I think black and white shoes look real good and nothing to do with ability.
If I didnÕt have my own designer sling backs I may even have bought a pair myself

Went to the new Vegas event in Aberdeen on Saturday night
Really got in the mood with the dancing
But the poserÕs in their suits who did not dance didnÕt look out of place
So this got me thinking about some new threads to wear to the next event
A zoot suit- dance shoes, pants, hat the full monty, I even found a site
Http.www.suavecito.com itÕs the absolute dogs b******s of a site for dance gear
So forget about if you buy black and white shoes you have to be good
Get yourself at zoot suit a snip at $250, so all thatÕs left is do I get
Yellow, green or black? What do you guys think!

[Franck]

Good idea for a Poll, and it seems the consensus is against Black & White shoes...
I am in the "never" camp myself. I am quite prepared to accept that they are great dancing shoes, very comfortable and with ideal soles for spinning (from what I hear), but If I ever decided I wanted all those qualities in a "specialist" shoe, I would go for the Black & Black version, which to my mind is understated.

I would be weary of raising my partner's expectations, much better to surprise her with actions than disappoint

I like simplicity on the dance floor: t-shirts / jeans or black trousers. I will ignore my attempts at theme nights (pink trousers anyone?).
Saying that, I still enjoy dancing in a kilt... But no hat for me, I love my Combs too much.

Franck.

[Bill]

I agree with Sheena that I never got round to buying black & whites because I just thought they were worn by the 'good' dancers although I almost bought a lovley pair at Beach Boogie last year - they were red and white !

I felt it was a bit like being a brand new golfer and wearing slacks and a pringle jumper. Better to wear jeans and a t shirt so expectations are lower !

Amazing how many of the women are now into glittery outfits - but Sheena how can you not dance in 7" heels. It's easy

I'll bring my red shoes along and let you try them out

Looking forward to a dance this Friday. Remember your backless top and sparkly 'bits'......I'll maybe take a vest

[filthycute]

I still enjoy dancing in a kilt... But no hat for me, I love my Combs too much.

Ahhhh.....Me and denise must teach you the "body roll comb"

filthycute x x

[Franck]

Originally posted by filthycute
Ahhhh.....Me and denise must teach you the "body roll comb"

Hmmmm, I can't wait... Do we all roll together

I seem to remember all of us attempting body rolls etc after quite a few drinks at 4/5.00 am following the Championships, and despite the drink, I am sure they were not my greatest strength !

Still, I am willing to practice plenty.

Franck.

[Jayne]

It'll be interesting to see how the shape of this changes now the thread has been brought back to life with so many southerners on the forum (they tend to like black n whites down here)....

At the mo we're 3, 14 & 2.

J

[Chicklet]

Originally posted by Franck
I would be weary of raising my partner's expectations, much better to surprise her with actions than disappoint

Saying that, I still enjoy dancing in a kilt... But no hat for me, I love my Combs too much.

Franck.

Bizzare thread to pop up out of the blue but big AAAAHHH for some early Franck classics

[Dan Hudson]

Personally I hate black and white shoes, my experience in the past is that they are worn by people (normally fellas) who want people to look at them..

Middle aged men who THINK they are good dancers

I think black and white shoes should be banned!!!

But thats just me sitting on the fence as usual!

*sits back and awaits a flaming*

[HeatherX]

Hmmmmm. I don't mind if guys want to wear black and white shoes, though I have to admit, if I see a guy I don't know in them I tend to think 'he's either good or thinks he's good'.

My problem is my own shoes. I wear 'greek sandals' which are what dancers (of all types) use for practice wear and they are very comfortable and good for spinning, but they look so very dull and 'mumsy'. I want to wear something a bit dressier, with a pointed toe, which is my preferred non-dancing shoe style - but I can't dance in high heels.

I have looked through all the on-line dance wear websites and found nothing to fit the bill.

[denise]

I like my blck and white shoes. I always feel like moonwalking on the dance floor. They just take over. Hee heeee ooohw!