Aris Allen is known for making vintage style swing dance shoes and reproduction models that are more authentic equipment for dancing swing than ordinary ballroom shoes are. Their philosophy being that your dancing will look more authentic if you wear the same style of shoes the inventors of the dance were wearing. This style was developed not only in response to the many swing dancers who were inspired to dance by Michael Jackson, but because of their requests for shoes with thicker soles. The sole has the same thickness you"ll find on ordinary dress shoes which means there will be a break-in period before they feel ultra-comfy. The story behind these shoes: After searching for several years, the designers at Aris Allen finally came up with a photograph of the bottom of the Gloved One"s dance shoes. Seems the men"s shoe designer at Aris Allen and one of his dance pals are fascinated with the science behind Jackson"s dance moves and spins. Turns out the half rubber heel is the key. Most men know which two sizes they fit best (like 10 & 10.5 or 8.5 & 9). To figure out which size you"ll fit in these: Narrow width = these are medium width loafers and, because they have no shoelaces to adjust, will probably prove difficult to fit on narrow feet. Average width = most fit the larger of the two sizes they usually fit (if you fit size 10-10.5 you"ll most likely fit a 10.5). Wide width = you"ll probably fit one half size larger than the largest size you usually fit (if you fit size 10-10.5 you"ll most likely fit a 10.5 or an 11).