The Mythic Allure of Tango Shoes

Some say that dancers choose their partners by the quality of their shoes: If a woman has invested in proper tango shoes, it follows she is a serious dancer. I made the mistake of buying shoes before I could keep up with the opportunities they offered.

But the purchase was irresistible - in my Arika Nerguiz heels my feet feel swaddled in the softest suede, my toes just visible beneath crescent-shaped cutouts of fabric. A specially designed smooth sole allows for a controlled pivot, and a delicate ankle strap prevents them from slipping off.

Tango shoes are so beautiful that a cult has built up around them. Devotees put their names on waiting list for hotly anticipated deliveries from Argentina; a dancer's level of obsession can be measured by the levels of recherche chic to which she has graduated. True aficionadas covet Comme il Faut, the Manolo Blahniks of tango. Famous for stiletto heels that, though high, are perfectly positioned for balance while dancing backward, Comme il Faut shoes have earned their cachet because few people have ever seen them:

The manufacturers forbid online photos. Many tango teacher import hard-to-come-by designs from Buenos Aires - our own Bangkok tango teacher, favors Flabellas and the stylish Neo Tango range. For me, it may be years before a pair of Comme il Faut in my size finds it way to my closet.