Ballroom Dancing

- What dance shoes offer the best support and cushioning for ballroom and/or social dances?
I am looking for a good practice shoe for ballroom and social dances. I would prefer something with a lower heel and profile (I own some bloch dance sneakers which I find to be too bulky), but am overwhelmed by the available options. I really need something with a cushioned insole because I get a lot of pain beneath the ball of the foot. I have been looking online at Elegance's Shazdeh practice shoe, because it claims to have cushioning and a flexible sole while retaining some support. Supadance offers something that looks sort of similar - the 8200 - and I notice they offer special insoles. Does anyone know anything about these companies? Sansha's salsettes also look good, as do some of the tango-specific dance sneakers, but I've never seen either of these types of shoes in person either. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A Everyone's feet is different, so it's hard to give universal advise. Best support, in my opinion: Supadance, Dance Naturals, International. Out of the above 3 brands, International is probably most cushioned. Supadance is a good brand, one of the best actually, but if you're specifically looking for cushioning then probably you'll find Supa shoes too firm. I mean they all are properly cushioned, but it is not soft. I just went on Supadance website. 8200 is a Men's Latin shoe. Are you a guy? Your avatar looks female, so I still assume you're a girl. You need pracice shoe, not men's latin shoe. Men's latin shoe is designed with different purpose in mind than social dance, they have short shank, but you say you need support, therefore you need longer shank, you need Ladies practice shoe, like Supa 1026 (they come in 4 colors). I have that shoe, I put regular drugstore-brand insoles in them. They came with insoles, but they are pretty thin. You might consider getting half-size larger and putting gel insoles in them. Everyone in my studio is buying Sansha's now. The kind that's without the heel at all, I can't find it on the web. They look great, and people say you can feel the floor in it, unlike with regular dance sneaker. Elegance isn't a great brand. I've never had them myslef, but I've seen a couple of people frown at the mentioning. If you're looking for a big fat cushion try Stephanie. Their Standard shoes definitely have a lot of it. I tried them on. But their sole doesn't fit the profile of my foot, I can't wear them. Capezio social shoes BR09 caused me a foot injurie. It was my first pair, I didn't know what proper support means. Capezio social shoes don't have a metal shank like all ballroom shoes are supposed to have. But on the other hand, my friend has Capezio BR19 and she likes them. I wear Supadance and International, mostly court shoes and Latin sandals, but I have a pair of practice shoes by Supa. When trying on your new pair, make sure there is no gap between your foot and the shoe in the middle. That usually leads to sore balls. Every barand is slightly different, and everybody has diffeent feet. I hope it helps a little bit. Sorry I know nothing about Tango shoes.

- Sweet 16 ideas- for the summer?
its about a year and a half away, but my dad wants the planning to start now so we're not all running around last minute like fracking idiots. i'm born in july, so i want to be really original cause i HATE the idea of having a luau or something EXTREMELY summer themed. but my dad said that he will either rent a hotel ballroom down the shore where we have an ocean view(which is as far as i will let anyone go in terms of summer theme to the extreme) or just a local hotel ballroom. im not really a stereotypical girl, and i want my style to show. i LOVE lavender purple, i think the 70s and 80s are cool, i prefer elegance but also like the elegance to be practical. i want there to be a lot of dancing, so i don't want people falling over in their heels, or shoes all over the place, or people falling over long dresses. and i LOVE LOVE LOVE japanese anime and manga. also i don't want it to be so over the top that it's like a wedding reception, because it's not. my family isn't in any way, shape, or form rich. we are middle class, and the room will cost a bit as it is. nothing totally crazy, like swimsuits or something, because chances are my grandma will also be there. and both guys and girls will be there. thanks for the ideas in advance! (and if you are just going to put stupid stuff as an answer, don't even think about answering)

A well defiantly stick something in the 70s and 80s! you should look into those eras to get some ideas on what you may like. and when it comes to your party obviously you dnt want a formal one so maybe a costume can work! once you get ideas then you can chose your venue to see were your theme fits! if you want something summer chose summer colors that will go with your theme! good luck!