What is my Brazil Shoe Size?
Don't worry, we will help you decide your Brazil shoe size. Read carefully below and at any time feel free to contact us. Please note these shoes sizes numbers below are the correspondent measurement in centimeters of each Brazil size.
Brazilian sizes are not European sizes. Some styles might be European size. If so, they will be marked as EU sizes on the size variant.
We use the measurements that our shoe maker gives us. This means you will measure either an existing shoes you have (see photo below how we measured) and/or you will trace your feet (see photo below). We ask you to try both methods because you may be using shoes that are slightly big on you and you love to wear it and compare to your true size by tracing it. Ideally samba shoes should not be tight or loose, but feel snug.
We will use your traced feet measurements and your most comfortable shoes to come up with your Brazil shoe sizes:
WIDE OR NARROW FEET
If you think your feet is wide or narrow, it's best if you let us know. We are able to make wide shoes in some styles and suggest shoes for narrow feet. Some of our shoes can be made in which the top portion of the shoes are a size smaller or bigger than your true size. In other words, let's say you have a narrow top portion of your feet, we can then make the top smaller, that way the shoes will feel snug on top and comfortable on your true size.
HOW TO TRACE YOUR FEET
It's best if you lay your feet down of a piece of paper and trace your feet. Have a friend help you trace if you can. After you do that, measure top to bottom of the feet with a ruler and notate the centimeters. See the photo below how we suggest you to do that.
We suggest you to measure both feet. It helps you make the right decision when choosing your Brazil size. Send us the feet measurements that has the bigger measurements. Please note we do not make half sizes, so you would be using the next size up, therefore the measurement is important.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR EXISTING SHOES
We have many dancers already have a preferred dance shoes or a dress shoes they like. We tend to say that we can use that pair of shoes to help decide your size. Try on both pairs of your most comfortable heel shoes. Now, place both feet together and look down. What do you notice of your toes? Are the toes sticking out the edge? Is it tight at times? Is there a small gap between the toes and the edge? That's ideal. Shoes should not feet tight at all, you should be able to move and wiggle your toes a bit. Toes should not go over the edge of the shoes, if so, when you dance the toes will slide even more.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR FEET
Use a flexible, tape-like measuring tape (like the ones used in the garment industry). It's kind of tricky to measure with a flexible tape, use both hands to do that and use the middle of the insole to measure. See photo below. We usually have a friend help us measure as one is holding the shoes and the other is using both hands to flatten down the tape as you move downward. If you cannot have a helping hand, use a scotch-tape to tape the top of the tape at the edge of the heels and then slowly go smoothing down the flexible tape and use the scotch-tape to secure the flexible measuring tape in the middle...then smooth down the tape all the way to the edge.
HOW TO MEASURE IF YOU ARE ORDERING BOOTS:
If you are ordering boots and you think you have a thin or thick calf, send us your measurements so we can discuss with the shoemaker. We will guide you how to measure your leg.
At times we can adjust the boots to fit your measurements, however if your measurements falls within our average boots sizes we will not custom make them. Typically our cobbler will custom make if the sizes are outside our guidelines. In any case, we will contact you and a FEE might apply. You are responsible for your measurements.
IMPORTANT TIPS:
Open toes shoes: Tip of the toes should fall comfortably inside the open toe shoes, not outside, even if minimally in open toes. Toes should never stick out the shoes. Since our shoes has heels, as you dance, the foot goes forward so having a proper measurement is important so that the toes do not fall outside the edge.
Closed toes shoes: Toes should never be squeezed to the edge. Some clients have half sizes measurements, in that case we suggest that you get a one size bigger and you can purchase a silicone small edge insert (cobblers has them for sale). Our cobbler/shoemaker always advises us that it's like buying sneakers, you usually buy one size bigger to feel more comfortable, though that's not always the case.
Now that we gave you as much guidance as possible ultimately you need to make a final decision. Please note that if you have a wide or narrow feet please advise us. Some shoes will simply not fit you. Consult with us prior to your purchase. Returns for factory defects only within 10 days of purchase and cannot be used. We can exchange non leather shoes for a different size, however you pay for shipping both ways. We will have to receive your shoes first, inspect, send you a confirmation email that we received and order the new pair.
Thank you :)
