We get it. Those glittery, strappy, impossibly chic heels are calling your name. But if they don't offer the right support, flexibility, and sole, they're a one-way ticket to discomfort and potential injury. A shoe that looks perfect for the 'gram might be completely wrong for your dance style's specific movements and floor contact.

Not all soles are created equal. A sticky rubber sole might be great for streetwear but will grip a studio floor dangerously, preventing the pivots and slides essential for styles like salsa or contemporary. Conversely, a super-slick leather sole on a beginner can be intimidating and unstable.

This is perhaps the most common and painful error. Dance shoes are engineered to fit like a second skin—a "glove" for your foot. Your regular shoe size is almost always irrelevant. A shoe that is too large will cause slipping and blisters; one that is too small will cramp your toes and restrict movement.

You wouldn't use the same tires on a racetrack and an icy road, so why use the same shoes on a marley floor, a wooden stage, and concrete? The surface you dance on drastically changes the shoe's performance and your safety.

Expecting brand-new dance shoes to feel perfect straight out of the box is a recipe for disappointment. Most quality dance shoes require a short break-in period to mold to the unique shape of your feet.