Keds

Here’s some nice little info I picked up during one of my chats on the door shift at the Melbourne Swing Festival.

I always wondered why most people in classes and swing events wear the exact same trendy looking shoes (in different colours, but still). 

I noticed it first back in England together with a friend who knew those type of shoes were called ‘Keds’ but neither of us had the answer as to how come so many people wore them. 

                        

However, after thinking about it I came up with my own answer that this type of shoe must be super comfy and also have the perfect sole for dancing.

Then at some point I saw a girl put on some duct tape on the soles of her shoes and she explained to me that it made them more slippery for the dance floor. What a cool idea! 

From that moment on I wondered whether that was a secret thing all dancers do behind closed doors as I never saw anybody doing it so openly in front of me again.

The real story was revealed to me by my lovely shift mate who I randomly share my thoughts with. It is indeed a trend …

Keds shoes are part of the Converse family and it might be the case they sponsored the Swing Patrol London. A new special collection will be released soon providing funky models with crazy patterns (can’t wait). 

Also, dancers do indeed tape their shoes. I was told about one dancer that is very specific with the type of tape she uses for the perfect feeling on the dance floor. She always gets it from a little convenience store near her place and wouldn’t use any other.

While watching one of the workshops at the festival I focused on people’s feet a lot (you’re not supposed to normally) and I noticed a tiny little bit of tape sticking out from under a KED. Aha!! Cool on the outside but perfection underneath J! I have to say, I really want some now too!