How to pick the right pair of dance heels.

Okay, lets talk heels.

Choosing the right pair of dance heels can genuinely make or break your training experience. The prettiest pair isn’t always the right pair, especially when you’re first starting out. 

Your heels should work with you, not make everything ten times harder. The right style will depend on your level, your ankle strength, the type of choreography you’re doing and honestly how confident you actually feel in them.

So before you buy the thigh highs you’ve been eyeing up… read this first. 😂

IF YOU’RE A BEGINNER… 

Ankle support is your best friend.

When you first start heels, your feet and ankles simply won’t have developed the same strength and stability as someone who has been training for a while. And that is completely normal. It’s something we build through training.

For your first pair, I would always recommend a lace-up ankle boot with good ankle support.

Even better? Look for a style with a tongue underneath the laces. Thank me later.🔗

Trust me on this one. When you start introducing floorwork, those laces pressing directly into the front of your foot and ankle can get VERY uncomfortable. A tongue gives you that extra little layer of protection, especially while your body is getting used to moving around on the floor in heels.

And I knowwwww the thigh highs and pumps are calling your name😭 But there is plenty of time for those. Wearing a shoe without enough support before you've developed the strength for it doesn't just make dancing harder. It can affect your balance and stability and potentially increase your risk of injury. 

Cute? Yes. Worth rolling an ankle for? Absolutely not.

WHAT ABOUT HEEL HEIGHT? 

There is also absolutely nothing wrong with starting with a lower heel. In fact, for a lot of beginners I would definitely recommend it.

A lower heel gives you a little more stability while you develop your balance, ankle strength and confidence. You can always move up in height later.

Don't feel pressured to immediately throw yourself into the highest heel because everyone else in class is wearing one. Your training is YOUR training.

Build the foundations first. The sexy shoes aren't going anywhere😂

ONCE YOU'RE INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED… 

Okay, now things get funnnn.

Once you've developed the ankle strength, control and technique to support yourself properly, you can start experimenting with different styles depending on the choreography.

This is where your heel collection mysteriously starts multiplying. You've been warned.

THIGH HIGHS

Thigh highs are HOTTTT. I know.

And once you have the strength for them, they can be such a good option, especially for floorwork.

How many times have you seen me in these? lol 😆 

You can also start thinking beyond what looks good and ask yourself:

What kind of movement am I doing?

A heel I would choose for a floorwork-heavy combo might be completely different from what I'd choose for something really technical, fast or trick-heavy.

PUMPS. OKAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. 

Pumps are TRENDING right now. They're cute, sexy, completely change the look of a combo and make those leg lines look incredible. 

BUT NOT EVERY ROUTINE NEEDS A PUMP. 😭

I need us to remember this.

A pump has no ankle support. None!!!!

You also have to engage your legs, feet and ankles differently just to keep the shoe on your foot while you're dancing.

For example, you can't point fully through your foot in the same way you would in a regular dance heel because… your foot can literally come out of the shoe.

If you're an experienced dancer, you can learn how to adapt your movement and engagement for that. But if you're still trying to build muscle memory for basic heels technique, adding another thing for your brain and body to think about can be hella confusing.

And if you can't confidently keep the shoe on your foot?

Please don't wear them yet.

Not only is it unsafe for you, but nobody in class wants to get taken out by a flying pump😂

Pumps aren't automatically "more advanced" or "better" than boots. They're simply another style of shoe that requires a different type of control.

Wear them because they're appropriate for the movement and you have the strength and technique for them not just because they're currently trending.

OKAY, but what heels do i actually wear?

If you've ever taken one of my classes or seen my instagram you probably already know the answer🤣 VAMP HEELS

And yes, I know what you're thinking. I am a VAMP ambassador. BUT i genuinely wear the shit out of these shoes and they are the only brand I will wear, I tried A LOT of different brands before partnering with them. 

So yes, technically I'm biased… but for good reason lol.

And because I might as well enable you while I'm here… you can use my code BS15 for a discount.

I have personally tried around 90% of their collection so if you need literally any help at all deciding which pair, you know who to ask. 

SO… WHICH HEELS SHOULD YOU BUY? 

If you're a beginner, prioritise:

• Ankle support
• A lace-up ankle boot
• Preferably a tongue underneath the laces
• A heel height you actually feel stable in
• Comfort and control over aesthetics

As you become stronger and more experienced, then experiment.

Try thigh highs. Try different boot styles. Try pumps. Figure out what you like dancing in and which shoes complement different styles of choreography.

Because ultimately, choosing the right pair of heels has a huge effect on your training experience. If you're fighting for your life just trying to stand in your shoes, how are you supposed to concentrate on your technique, musicality, performance and choreography?

The goal isn't to wear the most advanced looking shoe in the room.

The goal is to wear the shoe that allows you to dance your best.

And eventually?

You'll have a pair for every occasion anyway. Welcome to the addiction👠😂