How to make irish dance shoes

Irish Dance Shoes | Irish Dance Hard Shoes

" Corr's Shoes - Made with the Dancer in mind."

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Welcome and thank you for visiting our Irish dance shoes store! The Corr's Irish Shoes™ brand products have represented the next generation in safety and comfort for the Irish dancer since their introduction in 2001.

Comfort, quality, safety, durability, affordability . . . it is in these areas that Corr's Irish Dance Shoes distinguishes itself in the marketplace - handcrafted, and designed step-by-step with dancers for dancers.

Our Irish Dance shoes including Ghillies and Jig Shoes are handcrafted using the latest technologies allowing for greater arch support, flexibility, making it easier to enhance performance while protecting from injuries.

Corr's strives to bring you the best quality products, at prices you can afford and we have been pleased at the abundance of positive responses we've received from dance teachers, dance professionals, champion and amateur dancers around the country and around the world.

Corr's Champion Irish Dance Hard Shoe

Corr's Champion Irish Dance Hard Shoe
Regular price

$155.00

Sale price

$155.00 Sale
Corr's Eco Power-Flexi Irish Dancing Jig Shoe

Corr's Eco Power-Flexi Irish Dancing Jig Shoe
Regular price

$99.00

Sale price

$99.00 Sale
Corr's Essential Jig Shoe

Corr's Essential Jig Shoe
Regular price

$78. 00

Sale price

$78.00 Sale

Irish Dance Hard Shoes
Irish Dance Soft Shoes
Highland Ghillies
Irish Dance Shoe Accessories

I just wanted to drop you
a note to let you know that my daughter's hard shoes arrived today . . .she was thrilled to find that they needed almost no breaking in. She says they are the most comfortable shoes she has ever danced in!
C. Farrell (Loganville, PA)

I must tell you, we brag up your excellent shoes and superb service where ever we go! It is one thing to have a superior product. .., it means OH SO Much More to have an excellent product AND excellent service to stand behind the product. Thank you for being people we have come to count on for our children's Irish Dance Needs!
R. Hurst (Virginia Beach, VA)

Splendid! They fit perfect, they're very comfortable and what a great sound! The first time I wore them was like I danced forever with it! What a pleasure to use the right tool for what you're doing ... Keep on doing what you're doing now: Superb shoes for dancers!!!!!
A. Le Bel (Quebec, Canada)

Hi, I just wanted to let know how much my seven year old has enjoyed her new shoes. Her [other brand] left her feet with rub marks and blisters sometimes with in thirty minutes of practicing. She practiced for over two hours (her doing not mine!!!!) without a mark on her feet. They have made a huge difference in her willingness to practice!!! She is thrilled with the sound she can make with them - I have to admit it can be a bit overwhelming at home on our hardwood floors!!!! I thought you'd like to know that you have made a big difference for my little girl! Thank you
B. Coppersmith (Nashville, TN)

My daughter has been Irish Dancing for 2 years now! So now she has her very own first pair of Corr's hard shoes and let me tell you--they have made a major difference!! She has not complained -and to tell you the truth-she has put them on at least 5-6 hours in the past 2 days!! We used to beg her to put the [other brand] on for even 1 hour a day. It was her first feis to dance as a novice-and she came home with 3 trophies!! You can be assured we will continue to look for Corr's as her dancing shoes!! Thanks again.
The Longo's (Pittsburgh, PA)

We received our order so quickly, thanks!! This is our second pair of Corr's hard shoes (the first pair having lasted an unprecedented 21 months!). We are excited to be trying out the Champion hard shoe ... already we have noticed that the shoes produce a much louder sound. Thank you again for your prompt and personal service.
L. Cavanaugh (Hollister, CA)

The shoes indeed arrived today - so fast! The fit is just right. My daughter has already fallen in love with them ...They are so comfortable, and yet offer great support. She also commented that the sawn-off toe wedge is better positioned than she has had on previous shoes. Thanks for all your help. We are definitely converts to Corr's and will be spreading the good word!
W. Horwege (The Woodlands, TX)

I must commend all of you at Corr’s on your very personal, attentive, and rapid service … The 6’s were received yesterday, my daughter put them on and they fit her perfectly. She said they are as comfortable as bedroom slippers … she wore them to class and loves them. And, her feet look lovely in them … The split sole [ghillie] molds so well to her feet that the feet appear to be more arched now.
I. Rogoff-Barnes (Alpharetta, GA)

...I want to say that the design of the shoes is *fabulous*--anyone who can come up with comfortable hard shoes and a ghillie that actually allows you to show your arch...well, that person has my vote. Even my mom, who has not had to deal with a light shoe for about a decade, said 'Oh, they make your feet look like a picture!
H. Donnelly (Thousand Oaks, CA)

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Irish Dance Socks | Poodle Socks

Feis Mate Ultra Low Irish Poodle Socks

Feis Mate Ultra Low Irish Poodle Socks
Regular price

$12. 00

Sale price

$12.00 Sale
Feis Mate Ankle Length Irish Dance Socks

Feis Mate Ankle Length Irish Dance Socks
Regular price

$9.45

Sale price

$9.45 Sale
Irish Dancing Tights

Irish Dancing Tights
Regular price

$19.00

Sale price

$19.00 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Ultra Low Irish Dance Poodle Socks in White Color - Premium Traditional Dance Socks

Antonio Pacelli Ultra Low Irish Dance Poodle Socks in White Color - Premium Traditional Dance Socks
Regular price

$8. 70

Sale price

$8.70 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Ultra Low White Irish Dancing Poodle Socks with Sparkle Weave Made in Ireland

Antonio Pacelli Ultra Low White Irish Dancing Poodle Socks with Sparkle Weave Made in Ireland
Regular price

Sold out

Sale price

$8.25 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Premium Ankle Length Poodle Socks for Irish Dancing in Ultra White Color

Antonio Pacelli Premium Ankle Length Poodle Socks for Irish Dancing in Ultra White Color
Regular price

$8. 80

Sale price

$8.80 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Ankle Length Irish Dance Socks with Seamless Toe and Arch Support for Comfort and Balance

Antonio Pacelli Ankle Length Irish Dance Socks with Seamless Toe and Arch Support for Comfort and Balance
Regular price

$9.45

Sale price

$9.45 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Championship Length Poddle Socks for Irish Dancing- Made of Soft Cotton and Nylon

Antonio Pacelli Championship Length Poddle Socks for Irish Dancing- Made of Soft Cotton and Nylon
Regular price

$7. 95

Sale price

$7.95 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Diamante Poodle Socks- Ultra Low Length Socks with Small Diamantes for Irish Dancers

Antonio Pacelli Diamante Poodle Socks- Ultra Low Length Socks with Small Diamantes for Irish Dancers
Regular price

$17.95

Sale price

$17.95 Sale
Antonio Pacelli Diamante Poodle Socks- Championship Length Irish Dancing Shoes Socks with Small Diamantes

Antonio Pacelli Diamante Poodle Socks- Championship Length Irish Dancing Shoes Socks with Small Diamantes
Regular price

$17. 95

Sale price

$17.95 Sale
Hullachan Ultra Low Premium White Poodle Socks for Irish Dancing with Arch Support- Ultra Low Length

Hullachan Ultra Low Premium White Poodle Socks for Irish Dancing with Arch Support- Ultra Low Length
Regular price

$11.95

Sale price

$11.95 Sale
Feis Mates Irish Dance Poodle Socks- Championship Length

Feis Mates Irish Dance Poodle Socks- Championship Length
Regular price

$9. 00

Sale price

$9.00 Sale

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How to choose dance shoes?

Part 1: ballroom, hip-hop, flamenco, folk dances, tap

Tangeros dance on their toes and slide smoothly on the dance floor, breakdancers jump and spin on the floor, hustle performers (girls) move their heels so that if you follow them , your head will start spinning. Each dance genre has its own shoes. And choosing it is very simple: you just need it to be comfortable, beautiful and eternal. Nonsense.

We've rounded up the smartest tips for choosing shoes for a variety of dance styles to make your task just a little bit easier.

Classification of dance shoes

Dance shoes, regardless of direction, are divided into men's and women's, training and demonstration, children's and adults'. But the basic classification is considered to be a breakdown by style:

Sports (ballroom) dances.
Hip Hop
Flamenco
Folk dances
Step
Country Dance
Jazz
Belly dance
Modern
Lindi Hop

Here we will talk about the first five directions. The remaining five are in the next post.

Sports dance shoes

Ballroom dancing, which today is increasingly called sports, is performed on a sliding parquet. They share the European (standard) and Latin American dance programs. Each of them has its own shoes, which, however, have a lot in common.

Women's dance shoes

Preferred last materials are satin, brocade, patent leather and plain leather.
The sole of the shoe must be leather or suede for safe and airy spins and slides.
Sandals for ballroom dancing must have a heel - so that the foot does not slip out during movement.
Make sure your shoes have a strap. So the shoes will stay on the foot more firmly.
Dance shoe straps often stretch. Take shoes with straps that have a supply of holes or space for them - you will have to change the level of fastening.
Unfortunately, not only the straps stretch, but also the shoes themselves. Professional dancers take shoes a size smaller, but they can afford it due to experience and habit. If you are just starting to dance, choose satin shoes - they stretch a little less than leather.
The lighter the shoes, the cooler.
In the European program, the heel height varies from 4 to 7 centimeters, depending on height and personal preferences.
Latin program uses heels 5 to 9centimeters. Most often, these are sandals with a closed heel and several straps.
The arch support plate, which is glued under the insole, only reaches the middle of the foot, so that the leg remains as flexible as possible.

Men's dance shoes

Preferred materials are regular or patent leather.
Arch support reaches the ball of the foot (slightly longer than for women).
For the European program, a very low heel is used - 2 centimeters.
For Latin American - up to 5 centimeters. The arch support, on the contrary, becomes shorter and reaches the middle of the foot.

Hip-hop

Classic hip-hop shoes - sneakers. Hip-hop dances are performed anywhere (traditionally - on the street), so shoes should be comfortable for any surfaces.

There is no division into men's and women's shoes, because everyone is equal.

Shoes should be as light as possible. Often hip-hop is performed in basketball shoes, which are traditionally made weightless - athletes can jump as high as they like in them.
The sole should be flat and bend well - this is worth checking in the store.
Shoes must glide well so that spins are easy.
Take shoes exactly in size: the foot should not hang out in the sneaker, and thick socks for fixation will not work.
Sneakers must be made from natural fabrics or have ventilation. Otherwise, your feet will be very hot, and you will not be up to dancing.

Flamenco

Flamenco is a Spanish folk dance in which the shoes are a percussion instrument. And in every sense: it should be not only comfortable and beautiful, but also sonorous - to tap your heels in such music. Traditionally, flamenco is performed alone or in groups, but there are also paired varieties.

For men, regular low-heeled leather shoes with flexible soles are suitable. And the woman who is in the center of attention will have to think about the choice:

Stable boats are suitable for the first classes. Ideally, they have a strap for additional fixation. If not, you can use an elastic band.
The heel must be made of wood (Spanish yew) or leather (no plastic). The recommended height is from 4 to 7 centimeters.
The sole is made of two layers of leather, the outsole is made of three. It must protect the foot from damage during impacts and, at the same time, have sufficient flexibility for maneuvers.
The upper part of the shoe is made of leather - plain or patent leather.
The toe must be rounded. It is made of double leather or leather with a sealing insert. This is necessary so that the dancer can confidently stand on it.
Avoid rigid inserts - the foot should bend perfectly.
Traditionally, studs are used in heels and outsoles to make the sound of tap dancing louder and richer. The studs should fit perfectly into the sole - so as not to interfere with sliding and not to sink into the skin.

Russian folk dances

Russian folk dances are artistic and provide a large selection of shoes - from shoes to boots (five varieties in total: boots, shoes, square dances, ichigi boots, Romanian). Most often, these dances are performed collectively - both by women and men.

All five types of shoes have common characteristics that should be considered when tailoring and choosing shoes / boots.

Women's shoes for Russian folk dances

Shoes for Russian folk dances should be bright and embroidered.
Traditional material - thin leather with overlay patterns or embroidery.
Heel - low (4 cm), stable, thick.
Sole and heel materials are also leather, sewn in several layers.
If you choose shoes for folk dances, then don't forget about the fixing strap.

Men's folk dance shoes

Men dance in boots that almost cover the calf. There are models with a high knee pad made of leather.
Boots should have toe and heel inserts so that the foot can bend easily.
Heel - 2 centimeters. Made from stacked leather.
Pad material - leather. Color: black, red, white. Embroidered options available.
Leather sole, solid. The instep is slightly shorter than the foot.

Tap and Irish dances

There are two types of Irish dances, depending on which shoes are selected - this is a "soft" dance and step. For soft dances, there are women's and men's shoes, which differ in many characteristics. For step (jigs) shoes are universal and differ only in size.

Soft Irish dance shoes

Women's and men's soft dance shoes - leather ballerinas with tight lacing from the toe and microscopic heels.
Material - matte or patent black leather.
On the soles are plastic heels for sound. Women have heels on the toe and on the heel. In men - only on the heel. In the female version, a model with a solid sole can also be used.
If you choose shoes made of thin leather, then you need to take one size smaller. If from dense - size to size. The skin has a tendency to stretch.

Tap shoes

Tap shoes are made entirely of leather. Plastic heels are made on the toe of the sole and on the heel.
Boots cover the entire foot. Fastened with tight lacing.
The classic color of the boots is matte black. Models with a white toe and a white strap on the top are allowed.

Have you noticed that despite the huge difference between the dances, the recommendations for choosing shoes are very similar? Indeed, the most important thing when choosing is:

Exact fit to foot and shoe for stability and protection against injury.
Flexibility - in order to be able to perform any pas.
Lightweight. So that the shoes are not a heavy load and do not interfere with flying around the dance floor.

So, if you are into modern, jazz or other dances, for which we will talk about shoes in the second part of the article, you can choose shoes for them right now. Or wait for detailed instructions, which will be in a couple of days.

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