Swing Dance Footwear
We recommend flat shoes for tasters and socials. As you progress in your dancing, we suggest that you try different footwear to find out what suits your needs, preferences, and style. Here are the main types of swing dance footwear and where to find them.
RUBBER SHOES
Canvas plimsolls such as Keds and similar lace-up styles have been used by dancers since the 1930s. Well-worn treads are ideal for sliding across the dance floor. Alternatively, you can get the soles sueded (chromed) by a cobbler. Popular international brands are easy to source in Klang Valley, but inexpensive non-branded shoes may work just as well.
KEDS
Styles: Plimsolls, usually with canvas uppers and flat pebbled rubber soles
Where to get them: Parkson, Royal Sporting House, lazada.com.my, zalora.com.my
VANS
Styles: Casual rubber shoes
Where to get them: Suria KLCC , Fahrenheit 88, Berjaya Times Square, 11street.my, lazada.com.my, zalora.com.my
TOMS
Styles: Espadrilles, usually with canvas or cotton uppers and flat rubber soles
Where to get them: 1Utama, Mid Valley, Pavilion KL, Sunway Pyramid, fashionvalet.com, lazada.com.my, zalora.com.my
KEDS
Styles: Plimsolls, usually with canvas uppers and flat pebbled rubber soles
Where to get them: Parkson, Royal Sporting House, lazada.com.my, zalora.com.my
VANS
Styles: Casual rubber shoes
Where to get them: Suria KLCC , Fahrenheit 88, Berjaya Times Square, 11street.my, lazada.com.my, zalora.com.my
TOMS
Styles: Espadrilles, usually with canvas or cotton uppers and flat rubber soles
Where to get them: 1Utama, Mid Valley, Pavilion KL, Sunway Pyramid, fashionvalet.com, lazada.com.my, zalora.com.my
LEATHER SHOES
Closed-toe shoes with low heels, such as those used for for ballroom dancing, offer a different feel of the dance floor. Plus points for vintage styles like oxfords (for both men and women) and T-straps (for women). International brands are likely to ship from overseas. Local shoemakers can also make custom dance shoes.
BLOCH
Styles: Character and ballroom shoes
Where to get them: 11street.my, amazon.com (US)
CAPEZIO
Styles: Character and ballroom shoes
Where to get them: 11street.my, amazon.com (US)
KIM YUEN SHOE-MAKERS
Styles: Custom and ready-made ballroom, latin and jazz shoes
Where to get them: 26, Jalan Sultan, Chinatown, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, kimyuen.com
KY SHOES TRADING
Styles: Custom-made dance shoes
Where to get them: 8, Lorong Bunga Melati 2a, Taman Maju Jaya, 56100 Kuala Lumpur
SAN LEE SHOES
Styles: Custom-made dance shoes
Where to get them: 1, Jalan Midah 5, Taman Midah, 56000 Kuala Lumpur
BLOCH
Styles: Character and ballroom shoes
Where to get them: 11street.my, amazon.com (US)
CAPEZIO
Styles: Character and ballroom shoes
Where to get them: 11street.my, amazon.com (US)
KIM YUEN SHOE-MAKERS
Styles: Custom and ready-made ballroom, latin and jazz shoes
Where to get them: 26, Jalan Sultan, Chinatown, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, kimyuen.com
KY SHOES TRADING
Styles: Custom-made dance shoes
Where to get them: 8, Lorong Bunga Melati 2a, Taman Maju Jaya, 56100 Kuala Lumpur
SAN LEE SHOES
Styles: Custom-made dance shoes
Where to get them: 1, Jalan Midah 5, Taman Midah, 56000 Kuala Lumpur
OTHER SWING DANCE & VINTAGE-INSPIRED FOOTWEAR
Aris Allen amazon.com, dancestore.com (US)
Balboa Zin balboazinshoes.com (South Korea)
Charlie Stone Shoes charliestoneshoes.com (Australia)
Chloe Hong - Available at selected dance camps (South Korea)
Saint Savoy saintsavoy.com (Austria)
Savoy Cats savoycats.com (Spain)
Slide&Swing slideandswingstore.com (Spain)
Shuffle Five shufflefive.com (South Korea)
P.Mela Swingin’ Shoes swinginshoes.com (Lithuania)
Balboa Zin balboazinshoes.com (South Korea)
Charlie Stone Shoes charliestoneshoes.com (Australia)
Chloe Hong - Available at selected dance camps (South Korea)
Saint Savoy saintsavoy.com (Austria)
Savoy Cats savoycats.com (Spain)
Slide&Swing slideandswingstore.com (Spain)
Shuffle Five shufflefive.com (South Korea)
P.Mela Swingin’ Shoes swinginshoes.com (Lithuania)
