Lifestyle

Elevate Your Style

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2021

No matter the age, style, or season, most ladies can agree that shoes are always vital for completing their look. Whether it be a tighter budget or wanting to have functional footwear, women are also investing more wisely. Different shoes call for different occasions, so things like outfits, events, and even the amount of predicted standing time are worth considering your options when selecting the perfect footwear.

Wedge To The Rescue

All women adore heels, but not all women can handle heels easily. Those who have foot, back or other health issues that can’t go near slim heels can easily reap the equal benefits from a wedge. Switch up your look with some flair and style to boost your craving. Wedges are raised, chunky-style shoes that stand tall at the front and are even more elevated at the back. Wedges offer height and are more comfortable to walk in than skinny heels.

Breaking Down Their Popularity

On many high-heeled shoes, the heel of the shoe is under the heel of the foot. With wedges, the heel runs under the entire foot to the middle or front. The design helps reduce foot and ankle problems, as well as encourage better posture. Height ranges vary depending on the type of wedge you’re going for, whether sandals, heels, or boots, and the style from a slight raise to several inches. Depending on the occasion, you can select anywhere from one inch to five inches in height.

Make wedge heels your go-to’s for events that call for comfort. If you plan to be standing for a long time at a concert or party, these are an excellent choice for showing off your radiant style without killing your feet. When you keep in mind that balance is vital, wedges are super versatile and work with nearly any outfit imaginable.

Best of all, the heels cover the entire bottom of the shoe for total ease of movement even after a cocktail or two. If you’re looking for a shoe that is leg-lengthening and stabilizing, you can’t go wrong with wedge sandals. Whether enjoying an outdoor function or wanting something that can be worn for longer days, wedge sandals provide the comfort you’ll need. With thousands of options from open-toe, peep toe, espadrilles to closed-toed, you can dress for each season with confidence. You can wear wedge heels for pretty much every occasion, from office wear to a wedding, there’s a wedge out there for you.

Always On Trend

Did you know wedges have been around since the 1930s? Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo created the wedge heel in 1936. Wedges grew in popularity during World War II because of the lack of leather and rubber available in the United States. The fashion of the time called for height. In the 1970s, wedges were popular as designs became more colorful and loud. Even the 1990s had their version of the wedge in a sneaker. The bottom line, the wedge never goes out of style.

Wedge sandals have always been a popular choice, even among Hollywood and A-list consumers. Elle confirms this, noting, “Thanks to Castañer and people like Kate Middleton and Pandora Sykes, the wedge heel is definitely back on top.” The options are endless, including everything from a classic neutral, to a wild animal print that makes a statement. Wedge sandals can make life easier. Since they are very versatile and team well with all kinds of outfits, they are a must footwear staple which all women should own. You can shop from a colossal variety of wedge sandals, ranging in colors, designs, and price ranges.

Like fashion blogger Candie Anderson, most women are enormous fans because “Wedge sandals have long been a staple for women of all ages. As someone who is petite, I love that they’re not only trendy, but they add a bit of height. They’re classy, chic, and fun.” They’ll look great with shorts, skirts, skinny jeans, cropped jeans, flares, dresses, and that’s just the beginning. You can wear wedges to a casual event, a backyard barbecue, an evening out with friends, brunch, or a summer wedding. They will dress up any look. Wedge boots are another great option for winter climates.

Wedge footwear has so many positives, including adding height, being more comfortable to walk in, complementing any outfit, being fashionable, helping you look thinner, and always classy. Take comfort in knowing you’re making a wise purchase that will provide arch support, but in a way that makes a statement. Walk proudly and elegantly, from week to weekend wear, with wedges. It will be your little secret that you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

3 days ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.