Character Shoes
Buying shoes is mainly inspired by the purpose for which you intend to use them. They are often named according to this special purpose such as running shoes, trekking shoes, dance shoes, etc. Character shoes is one such type of shoes which have a very special purpose. These shoes are often worn by stage artists during performances or auditions, hence the name. Character shoes mostly go well with any character. They have a simple design and are often found in neutral colors. However, these days some variations in the classic character shoes can be seen.
Uses of Character Shoes
As mentioned above, they are commonly used for stage performances. The reason is, their simple design can best suit to all actors irrespective of the character they are playing. They can also be converted into character shoes for dance, if you attach a metal tap to them. In that case, they are also called tap shoes. Although, they are a little different from the authentic dance shoes that you get, they can be comfortably worn for typical dance sequences like jazz, salsa etc.
Shoes for Men
Men's character shoes are an undecorated, simpler version of lace up Oxfords. Although, the shoes mostly come with leather soles, you also have an option of choosing from various synthetic materials for soles. The material of soles should be chosen according to the specific purpose. You can also get a detachable tap, if you wish to wear them during a dance routine. Character shoes for men are mostly available in black, white, brown and similar neutral shades.
Shoes for Women
Character shoes for women look more or less like Mary Jane with heels. Unlike a sleeker heel of a stiletto, the heel of a character shoe is thick and chunkier. The height and width of the heel can vary greatly according to the make of shoe. Women's shoes come with a strap or a belt on top of shoes. An additional T-strap can also be attached to the shoe for better security. The straps prevent the shoe from coming off during vigorous dance moves. Women can also attach a tap to the heels for typical dance performances. Women's character shoes can be found in funky colors such as red, green, blue, golden apart from the usual black, beige, etc.
How to Buy
If you are buying your first pair of character shoes, it is greatly recommended that you purchase them at dance shoes stores or retail stores. One problem while buying character shoes is that finding shoe size above 10 can be quite a task as most retail stores do not stock shoes above size 10. Hence, you will need to try on several sizes before finding the perfectly suitable size. Try doing some dance moves with the shoes on to get the feel of the shoes. If you are required to wear the shoes for longer hours of performance or rehearsals, comfort is the most important thing that you should look for. Also choose a sole as per your role or other purpose. Cheap shoes can be bought from various shopping websites on the Internet.
Problems with Character Shoes
They are not recommended for daily usage or outdoor use for that matter. They have very little durability as they tend to wear off very quickly. It is advisable to wear them just before the performance. Hence, bring along a pair of shoes to change after your performance. Besides, character shoes are not exactly designed to offer maximum comfort. Hence, expect a little discomfort after wearing these shoes.
Character shoes are priced anywhere between USD 20 to USD 200. For auditions and rehearsals, you may invest in cheap ones. However for actual performances or dance routines, always go for a good quality pair.
