We are beginner dancers, man and woman, and have been dancing for about three months in street shoes with leather soles. We have noticed some beautiful shoes on the dance floors and would like to know where we can buy these shoes. What should we be looking for in a pair of tango shoes? Also we have noticed some of the teachers wearing what look like dancing sneakers, where do we get these?

Answer:  Most of the really beautiful shoes are bought or made overseas - either in Buenos Aires, New York or Italy. However there are shoe shops in Australia that specialise in dance shoes. there are number that specialise in dance shoes. There are also shoes available online from Australian importers and manufacturers - check the links pages on this website and go to shoes.
In Australia there are a number of dance shoe shops that specialises in tango shoes and all sell online

It is really important that tango, or any dancing shoes, fit properly and feel comfortable. Unlike a pair of fashion shoes that you might fall in love with, find agony to wear, but persist with because you don't have to stand in them and you love the way they look! - tango shoes have to be used.
Learn what you need to know about choosing comfortable dance shoes before you start looking.
If you are sure of your sizes you can buy online.

If you are travelling to Buenos Aires you can check out the many shoe stores there. Since TangoAustralia first went to Buenos Aires in 2003 the number of shoe shops and shoe designers has grown enormously.

Another alternative is to ask someeone who is going to Buenos Aires to buy one pair for you - then if you like them you can order some more. Even if you are sure of your size trace both feet onto a piece of brown paper, mark them left and right and then cut around the shapes. Write your names on the shapes as well. If your friend inserts these cutouts into a pair of shoes and they fit without the edges being scrunched or turning up in any way then there is a good chance they will fit.
The other thing to do before your friend goes away is to check our story on the tango shoe shops or check out this blog which also has a list of Milonga Venues in Buenos Aires which you will need to update with a check on B.A. Tango.