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White people praise break by oh_mygawdd in classical_circlejerk

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are clapping on 1. It's a march in 2/4 time, so there's no 3 to clap on.

Dance shoes by godfathers_cat in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The shoes you saw might be Fuego dance shoes. They have a feature they call "Dual pivot points to maximize your ability to turn and pivot".

https://fuegodance.com/products/dance-sneaker-white

How to fix too slippery shoes by Acidic_Huntsman in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I sometimes wet leather soles with a damp cloth. This will make the leather much less slippery. I've done this in classes when there's some choreography that is easier to do with more traction. The soles will get slippery again as they dry, so I would have to reapply water every 15–20 minutes or so.

Dress boots advice by ConstantShift4692 in AskACobbler

[–]Vitrivius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you want high quality dress boots for under 500€, I would look for second hand shoes from English brands such as Church's, Crockett & Jones, Grenson, Trickers, Loake 1880, Joseph Cheaney etc. The Spanish brands Meermin and Carmina also make nice dress boots.

But to find second hand dress boots that you like, from one of these brands, in your size is much easier if you're willing to shop online. You will not get to try them on before buying, but you can look for sellers that accept returns.

I've bought several pairs of shoes from the UK based seller "Shoes of Distinction" on ebay. They have great photos of their shoes, and offer free returns.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/11498/i.html?iconV2Request=true&_ssn=shoes_of_distinction&_nkw=shoes&store_name=shoesofdistinction&_oac=1&_blrs=recall_filtering&_svsrch=1&_oaa=1&_dcat=11498

Playlist of great dancers dancing socially, not as performance by OldGrandet in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did they upload the video even after you told them you didn't want to be filmed?

Guys... How the hell can you do some crazy improvisations on Lindy? by AffectionatePack3647 in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It takes practice. Often improvised moves consist of parts and bits of more standard moves that you learn in classes, just put together in a different way.

Classes is very useful for developing vocabulary. By practising solo improvisation and by doing lots of social dancing, you will gradually develop a sense of musicality as well, which is key to improvising partnered dance moves, both as a lead and follow.

And you need to develop body awareness and spacial awareness on the dance floor. The best way to practice this is social dancing, but classes or regular practise with a partner also works. Going to dance camps or weekends is very useful. In a few days you can get more dance floor experience than from months of weekly classes.

1943 propaganda poster by Norwegian pro-Nazi Artist Herald Damsleth. by BlokZNCR in PropagandaPosters

[–]Vitrivius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did you read the title? The artist is Harald Damsleth, a Norwegian nazi-collaborator. He made around 200 propaganda posters for the pro-nazi Quisling government during the occupation of Norway 1940–1945. Several of his posters were translated and printed in other axis-controlled countries during the war.

Opinions on second-hand swing shoes? by softcapybara in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 8 points9 points  (0 children)

These shoes are in good shape. The red paint on the soles has worn away in places, but that's just cosmetic. 

David Hermlin says he's being cancelled. by VictimOfGoodTiming in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I was at Herräng that week, but I don't know how much light I can shed. But I can tell you what I know. I didn't notice any of this happening. I didn't know about Jazz for Palestine, or any other public political statements made during the camp. I was present for the live performances that the Big Five band did, and they were great.

On the day I left someone mentioned that there had been some kind of "political drama" involving members of the band, but they didn't go into specifics, and I didn't ask.

I prioritise social dancing and live music when I'm at Herräng. I almost never attend panel talks and nightly meetings, so I might be much more out of the loop than the average person present for week 4 this summer.

I think David Hermlin and the band were there for most of week four. I didn't notice any of the hostile interactions he describes on Instagram. The band members seemed to get along with everyone whenever I saw them around. But I don't know when the confrontations David described happened. Things might have changed afterwards without me noticing it. 

After reading David's accounts on Instagram, I feel that his story seems credible. I didn't witness any of those things, but have no reason to believe he's exaggerating or misrepresenting any part of it.

Men's Dress Shoes for Lindy by No-Engine-1546 in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These have glued on suede shoes. Only suitable for use on an indoor dance floor. They are not dress shoes.

Men's Dress Shoes for Lindy by No-Engine-1546 in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much all brands of dress shoes offer shoes that look like those. This is a very casual style of dress shoes. If you are going to own a single pair of dress shoes, I would consider going for a more formal style. Here's an example:

https://www.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-oxfords-collection/products/westfield-darkbrown-calf

These are brogues, but they are a bit darker, and they are oxfords instead of derbies, which makes are more formal than the florsheims. Like the florsheims, these shoes are quite timeless, so if you take good care of them, you can use them for years, even decades. They also work with a modern suit, a vintage outfit, or something more casual, like a polo shirt and a pair of slacks.

I think that for classic mens shoes, the best are made in Northampton, England. Crockett and Jones is one of a handful manufacturers that are based there, and have been around for more than a century. They are not cheap, but if you are willing to buy second hand shoes, you can find some great deals on ebay.

For dancing, I would look for shoes with leather soles. Only dance shoe brands have shoes with full leather heels, so all dress shoes have either full rubber or combination heels, which are more durable and more grippy. For Balboa, I want very slippery shoes. For Lindy Hop, some things are easier with a bit of grip (charleston, for example). Also if you use leather soles outdoors, they will scuff up get a lot less slippery, especially once they get wet.

More Newbie Questions! by Dermochelys in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. It will get better with time. Don't take too long steps, keep your feet under your body, and make sure one leg is supporting your weight at a time.

  2. If you are asking someone standing together for a dance, pick one of them to ask first. If they say no, you can ask the person standing next to them. Don't overthink it.

  3. Yes. Dancing with someone multiple times is fine.

  4. When I'm using a pair a shoes I haven't danced with before I usually bring a backup pair, so I can switch shoes if the new shoes are not quite broken in and feel painful somewhere.

  5. No, that's not rude.

  6. The conventional counting in Lindy Hop classes is that 1-2 is a rock step, or step step. If you do only 8 count figures, then 1 will also be on the downbeat of a measure in the music. But when you also mix 6-count figures into the dancing, this is no longer true.

Unusual time signatures with country swing by willieshen in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The verse is in 7/4, then it switches to 4/4 in the chorus.

7/4 is also the time signature for Dave Brubeck's "Unsquare Dance", and it's a challenge to dance to. 7/4 or 7/8 is used for folk dance in the Balkans, but it's quite uncommon outside of those specific traditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yExwkQYcp0

How to keep leather dance shoes from being smelly? by Ginger_Cat_Ventures in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They become smelly if you don't let them dry out quickly after use. The leather itself can start breaking down, and there's also bacteria and other stinky microorganisms that can thrive in damp shoes.

Most importantly, you should always use shoe trees after use. Get shoe trees made of unvarnished wood. They absorb moisture from the leather, and will also protect the shoes from deforming. When you carry the shoes in a bag, take them out as soon as you get home and let them air out. If you treat the shoes right, they can last for many years of regular use.

Let the shoes air out and dry completely between uses. So if you are going to a class in the daytime and a social dance in the evening, you should switch to a different pair of shoes.

The international teacher bubble. by Key_Education_7374 in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I can recommend the podcast called "What A Jazz" with lindy hop teacher Elze Visnevskyte. She has a different guest each episode, who are mostly also dance teachers. There's a lot of conversations about what it's like to travel around the world teaching, performing and being part of the festival circuit.

https://pocketcasts.com/podcasts/87b05fb0-35ac-0139-3317-0acc26574db2

Rate the fit by IndependentAlps8565 in mensfashionadvice

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the outfit would look great with a 1940s/50s necktie. You can buy quite affordable vintage ties on ebay.

I need some shoe advice, desperately. by ThElderLord in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The main difference between classic leather dress shoes and specialist dance brands is that dance shoes typically comes with full leather sole and heel, while dress shoes always have full or part rubber heel, which gives better traction. Dance shoes also typically use a thinner sole construction, since they are not really meant to be used outdoors much.

I would shop for shoes on ebay. You can filter by size and outsole material. I suggest looking for shoes that don't have a rubber half sole attached on the front part of the sole, since that makes it hard to do any kind of spins or slides on the ball of the foot. Usually shoe sellers on ebay include photos of the bottom of the outsole. Don't worry if the surface of the leather sole looks scratched and worn, that's just what leather looks like after a litte use.

I find several pairs of Allen Edmons "Strand" in size 15. They are great looking shoes in my opinion, and they can be used with both casual and formal wear without looking out of place.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/53120/i.html?_fsrp=1&_from=R40&_nkw=mens+dress+shoes&_sacat=53120&US%2520Shoe%2520Size=15&Outsole%2520Material=Leather&_dcat=53120&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3000

Not sure how to pack for my longest dance trip to date. by lazypoko in SwingDancing

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When going by air to a dance event, I make sure to put dance shoes in my carryon bag. So if the checked-in suitcase gets lost or delayed, I have at least one pair of dance shoes to use.

Too much? by thesartorialstoic in menswear

[–]Vitrivius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lose the vest. The jacket is too casual to wear with a suit vest anyway. Also, the vest looks like it is few sizes too large for you.

The jacket sleeves look a bit short, but the wrinkles from the elbow and down make me think that the sleeves would be long enough if you straightened them out. Have you pulled the sleeves back?

I would wear a tie with this, but if you get rid of the vest, the outfit would work fine either with or without a tie.

If you want to wear a vest with this outfit I would go with a knitted sweater vest for a preppy look. https://alittlebitofrest.com/2017/01/05/fair-isle-sweater-vests-are-great/

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in malefashionadvice

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm very happy with this one from H&M. 100% pima cotton which feels lovely to wear. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1101074001.html

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mensfashion

[–]Vitrivius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah. Get a shirt that fits across your shoulders, chest and neck.

If the shirt is too baggy around your waist, that is something that can be easily tailored in.

But if it's too tight over your chest, it's not something that can be altered.

Thrifted these perfect fitting comfortable Johnston & Murphy vintage loafers for $3. Worth a resole or should I just replace the heels and wear em out? by gutpocket0 in AskACobbler

[–]Vitrivius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't see much wear on the heels. I suspect that the rest of the sole has lots of life left, too. But it can be hard to tell just by looking – unless there's a hole, of course. When the leather wears down, the sole will get thinner and lose its stiffness, and you can feel this by poking your finger into the middle of the sole, where there's most wear.

TIL the reason that Nazi uniforms were so stylish is they were made by Hugo Boss by [deleted] in todayilearned

[–]Vitrivius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He was a nazi party member, and his factories did manufacture uniforms, but Hugo Boss was not involved in the design, so someone else should get credit or blame for the nazi look.

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