Thanks to the many Californians who’ve told me that Mexican Folklorico shoes are a good – and economical – substitute for flamenco shoes, for those on a budget. Although I’ve never examined a pair of Mexican dance shoes, I can understand why they would stand up well to the rigours of flamenco. I remember some years ago, a native of Mexico… Read more →
I’ve had several enquiries about adding tacks to character shoes – including a couple from people who were sold character shoes as flamenco shoes, and didn’t discover their mistake until too late. I have bad news, I’m afraid – you can’t add nails to character shoes, or any other normal shoe for that matter. The soles of most shoes are… Read more →
Another question I’ve had recently is “how do I break in flamenco shoes?” The idea of “breaking in” flamenco shoes is misleading. You don’t want your flamenco shoes to lose any of their rigidity or strength. They’re not like pointe shoes, where some dancers do crazy things like crushing the toe in a door and flexing the sole to make… Read more →
I’ve had several enquiries about where to buy flamenco shoes in Australia. Of course, you can always order from us! Just select “Australian auctions” in the drop down box and you’ll see a list of all the international sellers who ship to Australia, as well as local sellers. However, if you want to deal direct with someone locally,… Read more →
Don’t assume that flamenco shoes made in Spain are automatically good quality. I’ve seen shoddy no-name shoes that were made in Spain, a very serviceable pair made in Australia, and a beautifully crafted pair from Argentina. If you’re offered a pair of flamenco shoes, use the following criteria to assess them. If they don’t pass the test, don’t buy them!… Read more →
It’s very important that your new flamenco shoes fit properly. All dance shoes must be snug, but flamenco and Irish dancing shoes are the hardest to get right. Dancers often buy ballroom and ballet shoes a fraction too tight, knowing they’ll stretch to a perfect fit with wear. However, flamenco shoes are rigid and have less “give”, so if you… Read more →
As a beginner, it’s understandable if you don’t want to buy flamenco shoes straight away, particularly if you can’t get them locally. However, don’t make the mistake of buying other dance shoes as a compromise – you’ll waste your money! Most other dance shoes are totally unsuitable for flamenco – worse than dancing in street shoes, in fact! Character, jazz… Read more →
Most beginners underestimate the importance of the right shoes. It’s understandable: genuine flamenco shoes are hard to find, except in Spain and in major international cities – and they’re expensive. Why spend over a hundred dollars on shoes you’ll never wear again, if you discover flamenco is not for you? But in fact, wearing the right shoes can make or… Read more →
