All Leather Swing Era dress shoes in the style of men's captoes from the 1932 Chicago Mail Order Catalog. Exactly what you want to wear for vintage dances like Lindy Hop, East Coast or West Coast Swing, etc.
These are made specifically for dancing on wooden dance floors - do not wear them them outside.
See sizing recommendations below.
Item #: 447-BK
SPECS:
Features the Aris Allen Raw Sole: a flexible hard leather sole and heel made especially to provide you with the action you want on the dance floor. Ask any dance instructor: the “fastness” of the sole forces you to “find your center” immediately.
Heel height is approximately 1"
SIZING TIPS - (ALL SHOES ARE USA SIZES): (Our returns show we are right about 90% of the time)
CHECK THE PHOTOS FOR OUR CHART WITH MEASUREMENTS (measurements of the inside of the actual shoe - NOT the measurements of your foot)
These are Wide Shoes and are running pretty true-to-size. So start with your men's dress shoe size - the size you measure on the Brannock Device (the metal thing at the shoe store) - and stick with your normal size or go up to the larger size if you usually find you're in between sizes. Feel free to call us if you need help figuring out your size.
Narrow width: Test dancers with narrow feet should be ok with these. If you are in between sizes the smaller of the two might be best for you.
Medium width: Stick with your usual size or half a size larger. If you are in between two sizes then it's possible you'll want to wear the larger of the two. Add a thin insert if it's the perfect length but a bit too roomy.
Wide width: These are roomy but are not made for wide feet. For instance; our 9.5 EEE test dancer could wear a size 10 but prefers our Men's 1932 Wide Black Captoes instead.
ABOUT "BLUCHER" CONSTRUCTION: This captoe is made in the Blucher style, meaning that unlike most dress shoes they are constructed to open and close across the foot with laces (rather than being stitched down at the base of the laces like Balmoral construction) to allow you to adjust the fit to your liking. This means they often fit a variety of widths, depending on how loosely or tightly you tie them.
ABOUT THE ARIS ALLEN RAW SOLE:
The Aris Allen Raw Sole is made from flexible hard leather that gets a little “faster” over time by repeatedly absorbing the natural humidity in the air (especially at a dance) and drying. The bottom of the sole and heel is made from sanded hard leather and performs a lot like Chrome Leather (suede) which allows you to spin and slide, and still control the floor. If you find the sole has picked up dirt from the floor and is slowing down, just shuffle your feet on the sidewalk once or twice to refresh it.
The raw leather surface is designed for the intermediate / advanced dancer - but they're also great as a second pair for beginners... the “fastness” of the sole forces you to “find your center” immediately.
This style was created to give you a shoe that is similar to what was being worn when swing dancing was invented. If you want to look authentic on the dance floor you need to be wearing the same thing that dancers were wearing in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.
This Snub Toe Mary Jane dance shoe is roomy in the toe area and I needed this for swing dancing. Most shoes are too tight and it does not allow the toes to spread for balance on wider feet. I have used it for other dance styles and it allows the dancer to roll through the foot with flexibility. I wish there was a 1 1/2 heeled version with this roomy toe box.
J
Janna Rich
They are comfortable and have saved me from extreme tiredness the next day after three hours or
They are comfortable and have saved me from extreme tiredness the next day after three hours or more of swing dancing.
A
Anonymous
Satisfied customer
Well these shoes look exactly like the picture, so cute. They are very light weight. I have a short wide foot with stubby toes. When I first put the 5.5 W shoe on I feared it was a little too big and would slip. There was a little space at the heel. However, once I got both shoes on and buckled they seemed perfect. No slipping when I walked. They are soft and dreamy to wear. The width is just right for me.
A
Anonymous
Wish they came in a wide size
Wish they came in a wide size. Right shoe is a bit tight, due to my bunion & hammertoes. But it being canvas, I think it could be stretched. Nice stable shoes for swing dancing.
This Snub Toe Mary Jane dance shoe is roomy in the toe area and I needed this for swing dancing. Most shoes are too tight and it does not allow the toes to spread for balance on wider feet. I have used it for other dance styles and it allows the dancer to roll through the foot with flexibility. I wish there was a 1 1/2 heeled version with this roomy toe box.
Well these shoes look exactly like the picture, so cute. They are very light weight. I have a short wide foot with stubby toes. When I first put the 5.5 W shoe on I feared it was a little too big and would slip. There was a little space at the heel. However, once I got both shoes on and buckled they seemed perfect. No slipping when I walked. They are soft and dreamy to wear. The width is just right for me.
Wish they came in a wide size. Right shoe is a bit tight, due to my bunion & hammertoes. But it being canvas, I think it could be stretched. Nice stable shoes for swing dancing.
