The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pole Shoes by Jewelie Elsbree

My best friend’s birthday was this week so, obviously, I did what any good friend should do and sent her a pair of brand new rose gold Pleasers - the pair she drooled over for months. If you’re not familiar, Pleasers is a brand of shoes made with pole dancers in mind. These are her first 7” heels. It’s sort of a right-of-passage as a pole dancer when you increase the size of your heels. And it was my pleasure (see what I did there?) to help initiate her to the next level of her pole dancing journey. Dancing in heels doesn’t only add classic sex appeal and height, but it also strengthens the muscles in your legs and discreetly helps with gripping the pole during climbs and tricks (don’t tell my instructors I do this). While I searched for her shoes online, it got me thinking of all of the stories heels could tell. If Pleasers could talk, they’d share tales of each scrape on the toe box where their dancer ran the same slinky floor move until it was smooth like butter. They’d boast about the confidence their height gives new dancers. They’d recount every clack that made their dancers feel like, finally, they get to take up space, make noise, and feel bold.

The decision to dance in heels of barefoot varies from class to class, instructor to instructor, but really, it’s a personal preference more than anything. It all comes down to the type of dancing you prefer, the music that sets your soul on fire, and other variables. Not all pole dancers wear heels, just like not all pole dancers enjoy dancing to the same music. With that being said, it’s your own journey to follow. Maybe some days you’ll want to dance barefoot, floating ethereally to the music. Other days you’ll clack and drag your heels around, grounding your movement. There are no rules to your attire, including your clackers, and you can switch it up at any time. Visually, you can become whoever you want while on the pole, and heels have the potential of showing off your personality while you dance. Are you a rhinestone wearing diva? Is your alter ego a bad a** in boots?

There are styles for everyone. Bright neon heels, black boots, red thigh highs, they have them all and then some. Picking your first pair is just as exciting as taking your first pole class but it is recommended to try dancing barefoot until you have the basics down. We don’t want anyone falling over day one!

Tip: Remember to take care of your feet! Care for them as you would any other over-used part of your body. They can get sore and cranky too so pamper them extra on your days off! Use a tennis ball to roll out our feet at the end of a long day and treat them to an epsom salt bath!