Not at all! In fact, one of the biggest misconceptions about Saint Savoy is that we only make dance shoes.

While my shoes were originally inspired by the needs of dancers, I have always designed them to be beautiful, exceptionally comfortable shoes for everyday life. Many of my customers have never danced a single step, yet they choose Saint Savoy because they appreciate timeless vintage style without compromising on comfort.

Today, my shoes are worn for all kinds of occasions:

• at work,

• while travelling,

• for weddings and celebrations,

• by musicians, performers and speakers on stage,

• by people who spend long hours standing or walking,

• and, of course, on dance floors around the world.

They’re also loved by vintage enthusiasts who enjoy wearing authentic 1920s to 1950s-inspired fashion every day, not just at special events.

One of the things that makes me happiest is hearing from customers who bought a pair for a wedding or a dance event and then discovered they had become their favourite shoes for everyday life.

Whether you’re dancing Lindy Hop until dawn, standing on stage under the spotlight or simply heading into town for coffee with friends, I hope your Saint Savoys become the shoes you reach for time and time again.

Comfort has always been at the heart of Saint Savoy.

When I started designing shoes, I wasn’t trying to create „dance shoes“. I wanted to create beautiful vintage shoes that I could happily wear all day. Shoes that looked elegant, felt wonderful and supported my feet from morning until night.

Every Saint Savoy model is the result of years of development, testing and continuous refinement. I regularly improve my lasts, introduce new fits and listen carefully to customer feedback so that more and more people can find a shoe that truly suits their feet.

Many comfort features remain invisible, but you’ll feel them from the very first step.

These include:

• soft, multi-layer padded footbeds that cushion every step, reduce pressure on your feet and help them tire much more slowly throughout the day,

• carefully developed anatomical lasts designed to support the natural shape of the foot,

• well-balanced heel heights that distribute your weight comfortably,

• stable heel bases that provide confidence and support while walking or dancing,

• generous toe boxes on many styles, giving your toes and toenails the space they need,

• a thoughtfully designed toe box with extra volume, allowing your toes to move naturally while maintaining an elegant vintage silhouette,

• and premium European leather that gradually softens and adapts to the unique shape of your feet.

Many of our styles also feature removable insoles. This allows you to replace them with your own preferred insoles or custom orthotics if needed. It also means that after years of enjoying your shoes, the insoles can simply be replaced with fresh ones, helping your Saint Savoys stay comfortable for even longer.

Of course, every foot is different. That’s why I offer different fits, heel heights and unisex styles, making it easier to find a Saint Savoy shoe that feels as though it was made just for you.

One of the nicest compliments I receive is when customers tell me that, after a long day of standing, walking or dancing, they suddenly realise they haven’t thought about their feet at all. That’s exactly what I hope every pair of Saint Savoys will do for you.

Saint Savoy shoes are for anyone who believes that style should never come at the expense of comfort.

Many of my customers first discover us through swing dancing, looking for beautiful vintage shoes they can dance in for hours. But very quickly, they realise these shoes are just as wonderful for everyday life.

Today, Saint Savoy shoes are worn by women, men and everyone in between, thanks to our inclusive sizing, unisex styles and a wide variety of fits and heel heights.

I also welcome many dancers from tango, ballroom, Latin dance, West Coast Swing and other dance styles who are looking for an elegant alternative to traditional dance shoes. They often tell me they appreciate the lower heels, wider heel bases, generous toe boxes, excellent support and exceptional comfort, allowing them to dance longer while putting less strain on their feet.

Another group of customers I absolutely love designing for are people with sensitive or demanding feet. Whether you have bunions, high arches, wider feet or simply value comfort, I have spent years developing different lasts and fits so that more people can enjoy wearing beautiful shoes.

Beyond the dance world, Saint Savoys have become favourites for:

• weddings and special occasions,

• performers, musicians and speakers,

• people who spend long hours standing or walking,

• vintage and retro enthusiasts,

• and anyone looking for elegant shoes they’ll continue wearing long after the special occasion is over.

Many brides and grooms first buy Saint Savoys for their wedding day. One of the nicest compliments I receive is hearing that those same shoes have since accompanied them on holidays, to concerts, dinners, work, parties and countless evenings on the dance floor.

That’s exactly what I hope every pair becomes: not just a beautiful pair of shoes for one occasion, but a trusted companion you’ll enjoy wearing for many years.

Saint Savoy is proudly based in Vienna, Austria.

This is where I design every collection, develop new lasts and colour combinations, answer customer emails and prepare every shipment that leaves our workshop. We ship our shoes worldwide directly from Vienna.

All Saint Savoy shoes are handcrafted in Europe by small, highly skilled shoemaking workshops in Portugal and Spain. I work closely with craftspeople who share my passion for exceptional quality, comfort and attention to detail.

I also source our materials from within Europe. Our leathers, heels, buckles, footbeds and many other components come from trusted European suppliers who meet the high standards I expect for quality, durability and responsible production.

This is something I feel very strongly about. By choosing leather from European tanneries, I know that the production process is subject to some of the world’s highest standards for environmental protection, wastewater treatment, worker safety and chemical regulations. These standards are carefully monitored by European authorities and independent organisations, helping to ensure that the leather is not only beautiful and durable, but also safe for the people producing it, for the environment and for the people wearing it. After all, leather is in direct contact with your skin every time you wear your shoes.

Producing entirely within Europe and sourcing European materials does make Saint Savoy shoes more expensive than many mass-produced alternatives. I believe that quality, responsible manufacturing and respect for both people and the environment are worth investing in.

Keeping both our production and our supply chain in Europe also allows me to work closely with the people who make our shoes, maintain consistently high craftsmanship and support traditional European shoemaking that deserves to be preserved.

When you buy a pair of Saint Savoys, you’re not simply buying a pair of shoes. You’re supporting European craftsmanship, small family-run workshops and a product that has been thoughtfully designed to bring comfort and joy for many years to come.

There isn’t one perfect Saint Savoy shoe for everyone, because every person, every foot and every lifestyle is different.

To help you find your ideal pair, I’ve created a filter function on the website where you can browse shoes by heel height, fit, colour, size, style and many other features. It’s a great place to start.

If you’re still unsure, don’t worry. Helping customers find the right shoe is one of my favourite parts of running Saint Savoy.

Here are a few suggestions.

I stand or walk a lot all day.

Look for styles with lower heels, excellent support and one of our multi-layer padded footbeds. Many teachers, shop owners, musicians, guides and other professionals wear Saint Savoys comfortably all day long.

I’m getting married.

Congratulations!

Many brides and grooms choose Saint Savoy because they want shoes that are elegant enough for the ceremony, comfortable enough for hours of standing and dancing, and versatile enough to enjoy for many years afterwards.

I dance.

Saint Savoy was originally created for swing dancers, so all of our shoes are suitable for Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, Solo Jazz, Collegiate Shag, Blues, Boogie Woogie and Rock’n’Roll.

Many dancers also wear Saint Savoys for West Coast Swing, Tango, Ballroom and Latin dancing, especially if they’re looking for greater comfort, more stability or lower heels than traditional dance shoes offer.

I have wide feet, bunions or sensitive feet.

Many of my customers come to Saint Savoy for exactly this reason.

I have developed different lasts and fits over the years, including Wide Fit and Barefoot-inspired styles with generous toe boxes, as well as models that are particularly suitable for bunions, higher arches and sensitive feet.

I’m looking for unisex shoes.

Several Saint Savoy styles are designed as true unisex models, suitable for anyone who appreciates timeless vintage design, regardless of gender.

I travel a lot.

Many customers tell me they only pack one or two pairs of Saint Savoys because they can comfortably wear them for sightseeing during the day, dinner in the evening and dancing afterwards.

I perform on stage.

Saint Savoys are worn by musicians, singers, actors, dance teachers and speakers around the world. They combine elegant vintage style with the comfort needed for long performances.

I want one shoe that goes with almost everything.

I’d usually recommend one of our timeless neutral colours such as Stardust, Snow, Black or another classic shade, depending on the style you’re considering. These often become the shoes customers wear more than any other pair.

I prefer a low heel.

You’re certainly not alone. Many customers discover Saint Savoy because they want elegant shoes without having to wear high heels. I offer several heel heights, including completely flat styles, so you can choose the level of comfort that’s right for you.

I want the most elegant shoe.

Whether you’re looking for timeless simplicity or something that really turns heads, I’d be delighted to help you choose the perfect style for your outfit and the occasion.

Still not sure?

Simply send me an email at office@saintsavoy.com and tell me a little about yourself:

• your foot length,

• your usual shoe size,

• whether your feet are narrow, regular or wide,

• any special considerations such as bunions, high arches or orthotics,

• what you’d like to use the shoes for,

• and which styles have caught your eye.

I personally answer these emails and genuinely enjoy helping customers find the Saint Savoy shoe that suits them best. After all, choosing the right shoe isn’t just about the size. It’s about finding the pair you’ll love wearing again and again.

Saint Savoy was originally created with swing dancers in mind, and all of our shoes are perfectly suited to the swing dance family, including:

• Lindy Hop

• Balboa

• Charleston

• Solo Jazz

• Collegiate Shag

• Blues

• Boogie Woogie

• Rock’n’Roll

Over the years, however, many dancers from other disciplines have also discovered Saint Savoy as a healthier and more supportive alternative to traditional dance shoes. Today, our shoes are also enjoyed for:

• West Coast Swing

• Tango (especially our lower heels and wider heel bases)

• Latin dances, particularly by dancers looking for lower heels, greater stability and more foot coverage than conventional Latin shoes offer

• Ballroom dancing, often as exceptionally comfortable practice shoes or for social dancing

That said, not every Saint Savoy model is equally suitable for every dance style. Different dances place different demands on your footwear. Experienced dancers usually know what they’re looking for, whether it’s a particular heel height, sole, amount of foot coverage, flexibility or stability. I’d be delighted to help you choose the model that best suits your dance style and personal preferences.

One thing that’s important to know is that Saint Savoy does not use traditional chrome leather or suede dance soles. Instead, our shoes feature either brushed leather soles, smooth leather soles or specially selected high-quality synthetic soles. These are designed to perform beautifully on a wide variety of dance floors while also being durable enough for everyday outdoor wear, making Saint Savoys true all-round shoes rather than shoes that can only be worn indoors.

If you’re unsure which model would be best for your favourite dance style, simply send me an email at office@saintsavoy.com. I’ll be very happy to help you find the perfect pair.

Absolutely. I’d love to welcome you!

One of the greatest pleasures of running Saint Savoy is meeting customers from all over the world. Over the years, I’ve had visitors travel to Vienna from every corner of the globe to find their perfect pair of Saint Savoys, and it’s always a highlight for me.

At my studio and workshop in Vienna, you’ll find the largest selection of Saint Savoy shoes in one place. It’s also where I can give you my very best personal advice, help you compare different styles and fits, and make sure you leave with the pair that’s just right for you.

To make sure every customer receives my full attention, I kindly ask you to book an appointment in advance. I reserve one hour exclusively for each visit, so there’s plenty of time to try on different styles, ask questions and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.

You can arrange an appointment by email, WhatsApp or phone. Once we’ve agreed on a time, I’ll send you detailed directions. My workshop is tucked away in one of Vienna’s beautiful historic garden courtyards, a peaceful little hidden gem that can be a bit tricky to find the first time, but well worth the journey.

I look forward to welcoming you to Vienna and helping you find your perfect Saint Savoys.