Measurements
Throughout the shop we give various measurements of the shoes we sell. Here we explain what this all means and how it can help you.
What we measure
For women's shoes, we measure the insole length (from inside the heel cage to the longest part of the toe, with the tape flat against the slope of the shoe shank), outsole width (across the sole at the widest point), and circumference (around the widest part of the shoe, usually just behind the toe band).
For women's shoes, we measure the insole length (from inside the heel cage to the longest part of the toe, with the tape flat against the slope of the shoe shank), outsole width (across the sole at the widest point), and circumference (around the widest part of the shoe, usually just behind the toe band).
For men's shoes and sneakers, we measure the outsole length (heel edge to toe tip of sole), outsole width (across the sole at the widest point) and circumference (around the widest part of the shoe).
How to use our measurements
If you're not sure whether the shoes you like in the shop will fit you, we advise checking our measurements against shoes you already wear, and your foot measurements if necessary. Follow the steps below if you're not sure where to start:
Here's an example:
Your usual size in dance shoes is a womens UK 5. You go straight to the shop to see what's available in a 5. There's quite a few to choose from so you fine tune it by measuring your current dance shoes. The insole is 24.7cm and the width across the sole is 8.5cm. You've always found them a bit roomy and think you could go smaller. The length rules out a couple of pairs that are too long but adds in some in a size 4.5 that might also be better for you in width. Still not sure which to choose, you follow the instructions to measure your feet. It looks like you need a length of about 24.4cm. That reduces the options to three pairs, leaving the choice only down to colour and style.
How the different brands and styles compare
Mr Tango Shoes and Very Fine use US sizes and Turquoise use European sizes. Conversions to UK are given in our size charts. Where a pair don't fit true to size we've noted this in the shop (i.e. a shoe labelled 37 which is usually a UK 4 actually fits more like 37.5 so is classified under UK 4.5 in the shop). For women, if going open heel you may need to go down half a size. For closed heel or closed toe you may need to go up half a size. If you're changing heel height that can affect size as well (higher the heel, smaller the size). Scroll down for more about heel heights.
Some very big and very small shoe sizes are only available as a custom order or a sneaker. These are noted in the size charts.
If you're not sure whether the shoes you like in the shop will fit you, we advise checking our measurements against shoes you already wear, and your foot measurements if necessary. Follow the steps below if you're not sure where to start:
- Start with your usual shoe size. If you've not worn dance shoes before you may need to go down half a size from your usual size. They are intended to be a snug fit. Good shoes are a dancer's vital tool and should feel like an extension of the foot.
- Fine tune your choices by measuring your existing shoes and comparing them to the ones you like in the shop. Pick a pair of your shoes that you currently wear to dance in, or something similar like a heeled sandal for women or a formal shoe for men. With a tape measure check the length and width as we do in the diagrams above. For a heeled women's shoe, make sure you have the measuring tape flat against the slope of the insole and go all the way to the longest part of the toe. You'll find the length is measured at a slight angle to get the most accurate reading.
- Still not sure? Worried you have odd sized feet? To really narrow it down you can measure your feet. Watch this video from Mr Tango Shoes (opens in YouTube) to see how to do it. Be sure to measure both feet as most people have one foot slightly bigger than the other. When you've got your measurements, have a look again at the shoes you like. You're looking for an insole length that matches or exceeds your foot length by up to 5mm, and, depending on the style of shoe, a width the same or less than your feet by up to 2cm.
Here's an example:
Your usual size in dance shoes is a womens UK 5. You go straight to the shop to see what's available in a 5. There's quite a few to choose from so you fine tune it by measuring your current dance shoes. The insole is 24.7cm and the width across the sole is 8.5cm. You've always found them a bit roomy and think you could go smaller. The length rules out a couple of pairs that are too long but adds in some in a size 4.5 that might also be better for you in width. Still not sure which to choose, you follow the instructions to measure your feet. It looks like you need a length of about 24.4cm. That reduces the options to three pairs, leaving the choice only down to colour and style.
How the different brands and styles compare
Mr Tango Shoes and Very Fine use US sizes and Turquoise use European sizes. Conversions to UK are given in our size charts. Where a pair don't fit true to size we've noted this in the shop (i.e. a shoe labelled 37 which is usually a UK 4 actually fits more like 37.5 so is classified under UK 4.5 in the shop). For women, if going open heel you may need to go down half a size. For closed heel or closed toe you may need to go up half a size. If you're changing heel height that can affect size as well (higher the heel, smaller the size). Scroll down for more about heel heights.
Some very big and very small shoe sizes are only available as a custom order or a sneaker. These are noted in the size charts.
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Heel heights
The heel heights given by shoe brands can vary wildly as some measure them on the side of the heel, the inside/front or back. Mr Tango Shoes are true to size, but Turquoise under measure their heels and Very Fine over measure. We don't want our customers ending up higher or lower than expected so we've standardized how we measure our heel heights. All heel measurements in our shop are from the side of the heel, from the end of the heel tip to where it meets the body of the shoe in the middle of the heel cage. The picture shows where we measure (it shows a Mr Tango Shoes model with 7cm narrow copa). The same applies for men's and sneakers: the measurement is the side middle of the heel. The majority of Mr Tango Shoes styles for women on this site are 7cm with a narrow copa (slim flare) profile. Very Fine range from low to medium in various shapes. Turquoise are 8cm to 9cm and have a tapered stiletto profile that isn't too skinny. Men's shoes come with flat, low or medium heels in standard and cuban shapes. Internal riser heels are available as a custom order with Mr Tango Shoes and Very Fine (they have extra height concealed inside the shoe). |
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