The Aris Allen Women's Black Lightweight Retro Dance Sneakers are styled after a popular 1980s running shoe.
The ladies black dance sneakers feature suede soles which allow you to be surefooted on the dance floor while still being able to slide and spin. So now you can look like you're wearing ordinary sneakers without endangering your knees by dancing on rubber soles.
SIZING TIPS:
We find that the women's black dance sneakers run true to size. So order your usual women's dress shoe size. If you're a half size it's best to wear a half size larger than usual (6.5 fits a 7, 8.5 fits a 9, etc.).
Check the shoe terms glossary and the shoe size conversion chart for detailed information about styles and terms.
ABOUT SUEDE SOLES:
The Aris Allen Women's Black Retro Dance Sneakers 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 get wet in the rain they won't spin very easily (conversely - if they're too slippery just spill your drink on the floor and step in it!).
SPECS:
The Retro Runner comes mostly in whole sizes (just one half size for women: 9.5) and, because they're converted from European sizes, the women's version of this shoe is really just an extension of the men's sizes and vice versa. If you wear larger than a women's 9.5 this chart will help you find the right size.
Women's <to> Men's
Retro Runner conversion chart |
| Your size in street shoes: |
Retro Runner size you'll probably wear: |
Women's
7.5-8
Men's 6.5-7 |
Women's
8 |
|
Women's
8.5-9
Men's 7.5-8 |
Women's
9 |
Men's
8 |
Women's
9-9.5
Men's 8-8.5 |
Women's
9.5 |
Men's
8.5 |
Women's
9.5-10
Men's 8.5-9 |
|
Men's
9 |
Women's
10-10.5
Men's 8.5-9 |
|
Men's
9.5 |
Women's
10.5-11
Men's 9.5-10 |
|
Men's
10 |
Women's
11-11.5
Men's 10-10.5 |
|
Men's
10.5 |
Women's
11.5-12
Men's 10.5-11 |
|
Men's
11 |
| Wide Feet? Probably best to wear 1/2 size larger. |
The foam insole is removeable! Which means that you can get a custom fit by replacing the insole with one that you've purchased to custom fit your foot (or add arch support or use orthotics, etc.) or just wear them as is.
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