Aris Allen
Aris Allen - Crisscross 3-buckle Burlesque Pump
$74.95
**SIZES AND/OR COLORS MAY BE LIMITED**
Call for availability
These are an exact copy of a 1940s Swing-Era dress shoe and have a suede-bottom sole. The nap on the velvet is very short giving it a suede-like appearance.
- This style is a vintage reproduction and features three adjustable buckles that gives the shoe some serious character and allows you to control the fit at your instep and has beautiful cutwork on the vamp.
- Made with flexible suede-bottom soles and heels which are perfect for dancers of all skill levels.
- The footbed is made with soft foam lining so your feet are just as comfortable before and after showing them off in the jam :)
- Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes are. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing.
- Please check the sizing recommendations before placing your order.
- Item #: 451-RD
SPECS:
- The heels are approximately 3” inches (7.5cm) tall and the base of the heel is 1” inch (2.54cm) wide.
SIZING TIPS:
(Our returns show we are right about 90% of the time)
These fit a tiny bit small. Most of our test dancers wore their normal size (if you always wear a 9, but rarely you can wear an 8.5 = you'll probably want a 9). But the ones that were often a smaller size chose the smaller one and tightened the buckles (if you sometimes wear an 8.5 and sometimes a 9 = you'll probably want an 8.5). Because this style is covered in buckles you can customize the width by loosening or tightening them - so you should be able to custom-fit this shoe to your feet.
WIDTH INFO:
- Narrow width: not happy
- Average width: happy
- Wide width: happy
ABOUT SUEDE SOLES:
- These are made with suede soles which are wonderful to dance on but require occasional upkeep (it's usually a problem with catching the edge on a piece of hardwood that is sticking up on the dance floor).
- If you need to re-glue the suede many people just use crazy glue gel. We have also found that commercially produced shoe repair glue (available from the shoe repair shop in your local mall) works great.
- You're not supposed to wear suede soles outside - but every swing dancer knows that you can make suede soles faster by wearing them everywhere to get them dirty, then dance in them until they're shiny on the bottom.
- If you prefer them less zippy you can dull the “mirror finish” they can get by roughing them up with a wire brush periodically. Just remember that when they are wet from walking in the rain they won't spin as easily (conversely - if they're too slippery just spill your drink on the floor and step in it!).
Aris Allen 8072
$68.95
$47.95
**Discontinued Model**
Call for available sizes
These Aris Allen Swing Dance Shoes are a perfect copy of a 1930s shoe and have a suede-bottom sole.
- The original was a vintage pair of Ostrich Pumps in caramel brown with light pink ostrich insets made in Paris, France in the 1930s.
- Looks absolutely dead-sexy on the dance floor - has a burlesque feel to it.
- Heeled oxfords have the advantage of looking dressy even though they have shoe laces (which you can tighten for security while dancing in them).
- Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes are. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing.
- Please check the sizing recommendations before placing your order.
- Item #: 8072-BS
SPECS:
- This style, like the original it was copied from, has a round toe.
- The heel is approximately 3” and the insole is quite thick and squishy.
- The Suede Sole is quite flexible and the heel has a suede bottom that won't slow you down when it touches the floor during a spin.
SIZING TIPS:
(Our returns show we are right about 90% of the time)
We find that these run true to size for normal feet, a half size small on wide feet. Because of the ultra-rounded toe box this style fits quite well on most Average width and Wide width feet.
Because this is a Blucher - which means you can customize the width by loosening or tightening the laces - this style should work with most widths.
Most women know which two sizes they fit best (like 6.5 & 7 or 8 & 8.5). To figure out which size you'll fit in these:
- Narrow to Average width = you'll probably wear the larger of the two sizes you usually fit.
- Wide width = you'll probably fit one half size larger than the two sizes you usually fit (and because it is a round toed shoe, once in a while one whole size larger than your normal size). We've seen women with very wide feet look absolutely delicious in this model.
ABOUT SUEDE SOLES:
- These are made with Suede Soles which are wonderful to dance on but require occasional upkeep (it's usually a problem with catching the edge on a piece of hardwood that is sticking up on the dance floor).
- If you need to re-glue the suede many people just use crazy glue gel. We have also found that commercially produced shoe repair glue (available from the shoe repair shop in your local mall) works great.
- You're not supposed to wear suede soles outside - but every swing dancer knows that you can make suede soles faster by wearing them everywhere to get them dirty, then dance in them until they're shiny on the bottom.
- If you prefer them less zippy you can dull the “mirror finish” they can get by roughing them up with a wire brush periodically. Just remember that when they are wet from walking in the rain they won't spin as easily (conversely - if they're too slippery just spill your drink on the floor and step in it!).
Aris Allen - Mary Jane with Faux Lizard Accents
$72.95
**Discontinued Model**
Call for availability
- These are an exact copy of a 1920s Swing-Era dance shoe and have a raw leather sole.
- The footbed is made from soft foam and they also come with an extra insole that's made from thick foam so you can custom fit them to your feet.
- Important: Most Mary Janes that are not made for dancing have very low straps that you do not need to tighten securely. These are made for dancing so the strap is very high on the foot and works best when the strap starts snug against the ankle. First: put the extra insoles inside them. Second: securely tighten the strap around your ankle. Third: stand up to see if the strap is fastened tight enough. (See below for sizing tips).
- It looks like a high heel but, depending on the size, the heels only measure between 2.5" and 2.7" at the back. During testing by dancers so many women said "I don't wear heels!" then, when we talked them into trying them, came back off the dance floor muttering about how they were in love with them and how they didn't feel as high as they looked.
- The motif on the heel and toe of this shoe is taken from the neoclassical architecture device known as egg-and-dart which you'll now notice as you walk around cities with 100+ year old buildings.
- Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes are. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing.
- Please check the sizing recommendations before placing your order.
- Item #: 487-BK, 487-RD
SPECS:
- The heels are approximately 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) tall and the base of the heel is 1.1" inch (2.8 cm) wide.
Aris Allen - Snub Toe Mary Jane
$54.95
** SIZEZ AND COLORS ARE LIMITED**
Call for availability
- These are women's feather-light Round Toe Mary Janes with a Perforated Captoe and a very low heel and suede-bottom sole made for swing dancing.
- Mary Janes are great dance shoes as they have a strap that allows you to control the fit at your instep.
- The upper has perforations around the captoe and heel cup - dressy enough to wear when you're going formal.
- NOTE: These are absolutely minimalist (on purpose). Entirely handmade - they weigh almost nothing. Our test dancers have been wearing these for over 6 months and report that they are like slippers and should be treated as such. Wear them only for dancing. They will be your favorites - but the sole is so light and flexible they should not be worn on the street. We tried to make these like a second skin… and succeeded!
- Made with flexible suede-bottom soles and a soft foam footbed which is perfect for dancers of all skill levels. The design of these - with the low heel and strap - gives you incredible agility on the dance floor.
- Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes are. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing. And if you can't do that then you'd better be in something comfortable because swing dancing is like running track :)
- Please check the sizing recommendations before placing your order.
Aris Allen - Snub Toe Mary Jane WIngtip
$54.95
** SIZES AND COLORS MAY BE LIMITED**
Call for availability
- These are women's feather-light Round Toe Mary Janes with a Perforated Wingtip and a very low heel and suede-bottom sole made for swing dancing.
- Mary Janes are great dance shoes as they have a strap that allows you to control the fit at your instep.
- The upper has perforations around the wingtip and heel cup - dressy enough to wear when you're going formal.
- NOTE: These are absolutely minimalist (on purpose). Entirely handmade - they weigh almost nothing. Our test dancers have been wearing these for over 6 months and report that they are like slippers and should be treated as such. Wear them only for dancing. They will be your favorites - but the sole is so light and flexible they should not be worn on the street. We tried to make these like a second skin… and succeeded!
- Made with flexible suede-bottom soles and a soft foam footbed which is perfect for dancers of all skill levels. The design of these - with the low heel and strap - gives you incredible agility on the dance floor.
- Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes are. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing. And if you can't do that then you'd better be in something comfortable because swing dancing is like running track :)
Aris Allen - Classic Canvas Captoe Dance Shoe
$54.95
** SOME SIZES MIGHT BE LIMITED**
Call for availability
Ultra cute women's Black Canvas Captoe Swing Dance Shoes. Reminiscent of early 20th century women’s sport shoes. Constructed in a casual style with an adorable round toe and contrasting stitching and shoe laces.
- Sizing info: Most of our test dancers fit their regular size. Please check the detailed sizing and width info below.
- Color: Black with contrasting grey stitching. Black and white sole.
- Shoelaces included: 1 pair of grey striped, 1 pair of solid black.
- Sole: The suede-bottomed sole is incredibly light and flexible - basically: not made for hiking - and should not be worn on the street.
- Heel: Low 3/4” heel
- Footbed: Cloth covered foam
- Construction: These are constructed in a “distressed” fashion. Entirely handmade with raw edges, woven fabric, heavy stitching, etc. These are not dress shoes - the workmanship is done in a casual style by design.
- Weight: Feather-light. These are absolutely minimalist (on purpose). The light weight and low heel gives you incredible agility on the dance floor - perfect for dancers of all skill levels.
- NOTE: This style is also offered for men! Perfect for couples who wear matching outfits, for costuming a dance team, or backup dancers in a stage production.
Aris Allen - Classic Canvas Wingtip Dance Shoe
$54.95
**SIZES AND STYLES MAY BE LIMITED**
Call for availability
Adorable women's Black Canvas Wingtip Swing Dance Shoes. Reminiscent of early 20th century women’s sport shoes. Constructed in a casual style with a round toe and contrasting stitching and shoe laces.
- Sizing info: Most of our test dancers fit their regular size. Please check the detailed sizing and width info below.
- Color: Black with contrasting grey stitching. Black and white sole.
- Shoelaces included: 1 pair of grey striped, 1 pair of solid black.
- Sole: The suede-bottomed sole is incredibly light and flexible - basically: not made for hiking - and should not be worn on the street.
- Heel: Low 3/4” heel
- Footbed: Cloth covered foam
- Construction: These are constructed in a “distressed” fashion. Entirely handmade with raw edges, woven fabric, heavy stitching, etc. These are not dress shoes - the workmanship is done in a casual style by design.
- Weight: Feather-light. These are absolutely minimalist (on purpose). The light weight and low heel gives you incredible agility on the dance floor - perfect for dancers of all skill levels.
- NOTE: This style is also offered for men! Perfect for couples who wear matching outfits, for costuming a dance team, or backup dancers in a stage production.