Tag: pewter

My Heinies, Part Deux

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

I noticed yesterday that the My Heinies website has officially expanded their line of dancewear to include the shoes, hosiery, and hair flowers I mentioned in my previous post on My Heinies and their creator, New York dancer and instructor Carol Fraser. This certainly calls for another post highlighting these goodies, because now we have pictures. 🙂

Before we get to the goods, I want to point out that Carol does her homework. At week one of the Balboa Experiment, Carol brought in samples of everything and held a focus group to talk about what Balboa dancers look for in a shoe – heel shape, heel height, colors, styles, straps, where the shoe falls on the top of your foot, suede v. hard leather, and everything in between. The shoes now available on the My Heinies website represent the results of this group discussion, most of which Carol had overnighted to the Experiment house so that we could try them on in person, give further feedback, and have the option to purchase. The sample shoes remained at the Experiment house for weeks 2 and 3 to try out as well, and I’m sure she’s solicited feedback from a number of other dancers. Another great thing about using the Experiment as a testing ground was that it gave Carol an international perspective on what dancers would want to wear, not just dancers in the U.S.

Here’s what I love from My Heinies’ new selections of shoes, hosiery, and hair flowers (and don’t forget to check out the bloomers, I think Carol’s ordering a new batch very soon):

I'll start with my favorite shoe, which I helped create during the focus group - Melina in Pure Pewter with a 2 inch heel. 2 inches means comfortable Lindy Hop height for me and being able to Balboa for longer periods of time; pewter color means it goes with everything
This shoe encapsulates the elements that spoke for the majority - solid pair of basic black shoes, t-straps, slightly open toed, slightly lower heel, with pretty detailing - you've seen this shoe before, from Tara Tango, but this model has a 2.5 inch heel instead of 3 inch
Sonrisa in Vanilla Biscotti - this was a really popular shoe with lovely two tone details
Mirage in Fresca Blue - one of the colors that came up was purple and I love this bluish purple - knowing Carol, there is more purple to be had, so stay tuned
Love these nude fishnets with a contrast seam
Sheer hosier with seams, bows and tassels...I am intrigued
Sheer hosiery with seams, bows and tassels - I am intrigued
Petite gardenias
A pair of lovely green orchids

Remix “Dara” shoe

This is my main shoe. If I could wear this shoe every day with a sundress, I would, and it would go with all of them. This shoe kept up with a pair of Chacos on a two week tour of Italy, all terrains and weather, and was just as comfortable as a pair of athletic sandals. You think your Remix heels are comfortable? Let me invite you to enjoy the bedroom slipper of the Remix line…

This pair of Dara shoes in pewter is on eBay for $140 or you can get them at the Remix site for $168. Unlike other Remix shoes, I’ve only seen this pair available on eBay twice, and I bought the first pair. 😉 Yes, this is spendy. No, I didn’t pay that much, I got my pair for an even lower price on eBay. But think about it – a shoe that goes with everything, can be worn under almost any conditions (except maybe hot lava), that is so comfortable, AND is adorable. I challenge you to find a more versatile pair of sandals!

I also found this pair in red in a size 6 for $118 on Amazon.com.

This shoe does not have a leather sole, but don’t discount it for dance purposes yet! For me, it serves as the ever critical arrival and departure shoes – you can’t mess up your suede soles, but you should still show up to the dance in a great pair of shoes! They are extra critical for the departure, as nothing feels better than a pair of cool, comfortable, ventilated flats on your hot, tired feet after a long night of dancing.