Don't let shoe angst get in the way of tango!

October 10, 2006 6:03 PM

Help me find large women's shoes for Argentine Tango in DC or NYC

I'm a woman who's falling for a guy who loves Argentine Tango. I want good shoes for dancing with him. Here are my criteria:

- They should be in DC or NYC. I live in DC and am going to a Tango marathon this weekend in NYC, where my boyfriend lives. I go there often enough that NYC might actually be the preferred location to look.
- Size 11, possibly narrow.
- Preferably a 2-inch heel or less, since I'm rather tall and don't want to be taller than my guy while dancing. Most women's tango shoes look to be 3-inchers.
- Comfortable. I have recurrent foot pain, so if I can eventually put orthotics in these babies, that'd be ideal.

Bonus: any mefites going to the marathon? If so, my email is in my profile and I'd enjoy saying "hi."

posted by lorrer to sports, hobbies, & recreation (7 comments total)

My friend, who's a size 12, gets her shoes from stores that cater to cross dressers.
posted by StickyCarpet at 7:22 PM on October 10, 2006

Try character shoes. I'm not sure how big the shoes run, but the Capezio Dance Theatre Shop in NYC might be able to help you out.

The Capezio Cabarets (navigate to "Theatrical") might be just what you're looking for. They are super comfortable and very well made. I bought a pair for my wedding.
posted by wildeepdotorg at 8:36 PM on October 10, 2006

I would drop Maleva Shoes a note. They are a tango shoe importer in NYC. If they don't have your size, they'll know how to help you. And they are shoes you can actually tango in.
posted by cushie at 9:16 PM on October 10, 2006

I am not sure if this is something that would be appropriate but Dansko has a style that resembles a tango shoe and I think it comes in your size.
Linkies
I have the red croc leather pair and they are super sexy. I have also worn them on my mile-long walk to work so they are hella comfortable. The heel is also not too high. Not a real tango shoe but worth looking at.
posted by Foam Pants at 10:20 PM on October 10, 2006

Your best bet is probably to buy them online. But that will take a while and will be for future investment rather than quick for this weekend. Check out:

Tara Tango Shoes for very comfortable and stylish shoes. They often come with lower heels. You order over the phone and the lady who owns this is excellent at giving sizing advice.

Tango Wear lets you enter your foot length and circumference so that they can custom make your shoe to fit just right. The turn-around is three weeks or more, and the shipping bites (direct from Argentina, you see).
posted by copperbleu at 6:30 AM on October 11, 2006

Go to the Capezio shop in Times Square. They have EVERYTHING. I don't dance but bought a pair of their shoes because they are heels you can actually walk in.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:05 AM on October 11, 2006

Try Clark's. They're not just walking shoes. I also wear a 10 1/2 or 11, and they've always had all the shoes on display in my size. They might not be as traditionally tangoish as you want, but they'll be comfortable and fit well, and they have plenty that look good with dresses.
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:07 AM on October 11, 2006