Footwear

Probably the most common question I'm asked: What shoes should I wear?

To start line dancing, you don't need special shoes, but I do have some Do's and Don'ts to advise you.

Do wear something low and sensible, that supports your foot.

Do make sure you can move comfortably in your shoes. Try standing with your weight on the balls of your feet and swivel your heels - your feet should move easily. If they feel "stuck" to the floor, try to find a different pair of shoes.

If you have cowboy boots, and you can dance in them comfortably, that's great - but definitely not required! If you do choose cowboy boots, look for a "Cuban Heel", a low, angled heel that is comfortable when doing a "heel, heel" move. Look out for cowboy boots in local charity shops, or just search for sites that sell them - they are really fashionable at the moment too!

I recommend you don't wear high heels or flip-flops.

if you feel your feet need more support - and you are already hooked on line dancing! - consider a pair of "dance sneakers" like mine. I get these from Bloch (another site selling them here: Bloch) and I like them for their cushioning below the heel, split sole for great flexibility, and the "spin spot" under the ball of my foot - great for pivot turns. Do shop around though, Bloch sometimes have sales, and you can also find these second hand sometimes on sites like EBay and Vinted. (These sites are also a good choice for second-hand cowboy boots. Have fun looking!)

A word of caution about Blochs - I find their sizing is small - go a size or two up from your usual size.

If you ever need advice on footwear, please do ask in class; and if you have tips to share, please do leave them in the comments. Thank you!