Shoe sizes, widths, heel heights
Our sizes are European (Continental): 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40.
The best way to find what´s your size in our shoes is to measure the length of your foot and compare it against the length measurements in cm in the table below. Measure your foot from the tip of your big toe diagonally across to the middle of your heel.
Length | EU | UK | US |
22.7cm | 35 | 2.5 | 5 |
23.3cm | 36 | 3 | 5.5 |
24cm | 37 | 4 | 6.5 |
24.6cm | 38 | 5 | 7.5 |
25.3cm | 39 | 6 | 8 |
26cm | 40 | 7 | 9 |
Our shoe sizes are the same as for normal non-tango shoes, sometimes described as “true to size”. Some tango shoe brands (particularly from Argentina) size their shoes bigger than normal and you might go a size down in those. This is not our case. In Yuyo Brujo we recommend to choose your “regular” or “street shoes” size.
- We measure “length” with a straight line from the rear end of the shoe to the furthest point at the front of the shoe (see image below).
Our men’s shoes sizes are UK sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
The best way to find what’s your size in our shoes is to measure the length of your foot and compare it against the length measurements in cm in the table below. Measure your foot from the tip of your big toe diagonally across to the middle of your heel. Allow at least 1-1.5cm at the front for your toes to wiggle.
- Our men’s sizes run a little generous. If you are in between sizes in this table choose the size below.
Length | UK | European (Continental) | US |
25.8cm | 5 | 38 | – |
26.6cm | 6 | 39 | – |
27.4cm | 7 | 40.5 | – |
28.2cm | 8 | 42 | – |
29cm | 9 | 43 | – |
29.8cm | 10 | 44.5 | – |
30.6 | 11 | 46 | – |
- Our styles all have the same width, which we describe as “comfortable standard”. However, different models have differently designed toe straps which suit differently shaped feet.
We have three front shapes: single band, three straps and butterfly.
For example and as a general rule, women with narrower feet tend to prefer styles with a single band at the front like Irisado, Perla Afrodita or Yuyo Brujo. Styles with a three strap front like Nacarado or Moneda de Cobre are better for a bit wider feet or if you have bunions. Our butterfly front is the “roomiest” of all and the one that hugs your bones more securely, Jamas Retornaras and Yacare have butterfly fronts. If your foot is on the narrow side we would probably not recommend the butterfly or the three strap front.
- If your feet are a bit narrow and you are in between sizes, we recommend to go one size down and choose a style with an open back heel (so your heel can have a bit more room lengthwise).
- In our previous styles, Amarras, Tinta Roja and Al Verla Pasar used to run a bit narrow. These had a single strap front. Our current single strap front is a comfortable standard, it does not run narrow.
- If you are still unsure what style would suit the width of your foot, contact us and we will be very happy to help and give you personalised recommendations. Occasionally, we have a batch of shoes that runs a bit narrow or wide and they are not uploaded on our website.
- Once COVID-19 social distancing is over, we will resume private fittings in our Studio which is the best way to try all our shoes. Sadly, at present we are not taking Private Fittings.
- For most models we offer 3 heights per size – Low, Medium, High. For smaller sizes, this is 7, 8, 9 cm. For the larger sizes, this is 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 cm. The heights vary to ensure appropriate proportion and balance according to the size of the shoe.
- We measure heel height in centimetres as a straight vertical line from the tip of the heel to the point it joins the sole of the shoe when viewed in side profile at eye level (see the image below). We do not measure the height as seen from the back of the shoe, as some other brands may do. To us, this is a “truer” measure that takes into account the different inclinations of the shoe for different heel heights and sizes.
In our opinion, fit and comfort should be your top priority. When you are comfortable and confident, you can dance your best.
Different people have different feet, so don’t be afraid to try different styles until you find one that fits you. The materials we use will mould to your feet slightly with use over time. We deliberately created differently shaped toe straps to accommodate differently shaped feet.
If you are new to dancing in heels, we strongly recommend to start with lower heels and progress to higher ones (if you so choose) once your feet are stronger and your balance has developed.
Standing upright on a hard floor (not carpet), with your axis in the centre of your feet, you should feel stable and grounded in the shoes (i.e. able to put your full weight into them). If you feel wobbly or tipping forward or back, perhaps try a lower heel.
The tip of your toes should be close to the edge of the front of the shoe but not hanging off the shoe. Generally speaking, your toes will be closer to the edge for dancing shoes to avoid the lip catching on the floor.
Some people find they get a surer fit by trying on shoes in the afternoon/ evening when their feet have expanded a bit more naturally. However, we don’t recommend to try on new shoes after having danced for hours as your feet will be swollen and sensitive.
You should feel sufficient cushioning under your forefoot, but not so much that you cannot feel the floor with confidence. Some women prefer more, others a bit less, cushioning. We use a gel padded insole that is thin and flexible yet durable, and doesn’t collapse like some foam-based pads after repeated use. The padding covers the entire forefoot area of the insole from edge to edge, because a dancer’s feet with connect with the floor at different angles depending on the steps.
It is okay if your new shoes feel snug. We use good quality natural leathers in our shoes (both in the lining and outside) and these will flex and stretch a bit to fit the shape of your feet.
