Ballroom dancing as we know it today is a 20th century phenomenon, but its ancestry might be traced to the minuet or the royal courts of 16th century France and England. But footwear in those times was hardly conducive to the dance--clanking swords and boots were still the norm at state balls in the court of King Louis XIV of France (1638 to 1715). And even though early versions of high heels and pumps made their debuts in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558 to 1603), ballroom dancing did not become popular among the upper classes in England until around the late 18th century. It did not catch on with the working classes until the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the United States, the 1920s were the "flapper" era, when the Charleston was all the rage. Ballroom dance shoes originated in this period, when women's shoes with straps became popular, especially for dancing. Men's shoes in two-tone black and white or white and tan were also favorites. Competitive ballroom dancing grew popular during this period and dances were standardized with specific terminology, techniques and tempos.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were luminaries of the silver screen in the 1930s, starring together in 10 classic films that showcased their fancy footwork and their fashion chic, and popularizing dance in the process. Two-toned brogues were the shoe fashion for men, due in large part to the influence of Astaire. Rogers also made dancing look glamorous and effortless, as aptly stated in the famous quote attributed to Bob Thaves about the Astaire-Rogers magic: "Sure (Fred Astaire) was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards...and in high heels."
Today's modern dance shoes for men retain the Astaire influence: black patent leather with standard 1-inch heels. Ladies' modern dance shoes are usually flesh satin, tan satin or white satin with slim or flare heels of between 2-1/2 and 3 inches. In Latin American dancing, men's shoes are usually non-glossy black leather with 1-1/2-inch Cuban heels. Ladies' Latin dance shoes have flared heels of between 2-1/2 and 3 inches, in flesh or white satin, or in gold or silver co-ag (a synthetic material with a shiny surface).
An interesting sidebar to the history of dance shoes is the special gift that Dick Clark received for his birthday on Nov. 30, 1979. Fred Astaire could not be there, so he sent a pair of his black leather lace-up dance shoes, scuffed and well-worn, and autographed. The shoes have since been auctioned (see Reference 3 for details).
The mega-hit NBC television show, "Dancing With The Stars" has shined a spotlight on ballroom and Latin American dances, from the waltz and the foxtrot to the tango, paso doble, jive, samba, rumba and cha-cha, all of which are performed in ballroom settings. Current ballroom dance shoes designed for men and women feature non-slip soles, a metal shank in the arch to provide support for the foot, and lightweight flexibility--basic features that continue to serve ballroom dancers well.