How to Choose a Dancewear & Exotic Footwear Store in Houston
Published by Pleasure Zone — An Upscale Dancewear Boutique · 5705 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057 · (832) 251-8400
Houston has a handful of places that sell dancewear, and a much smaller number that sell the kind performers, pole students and nightlife staff actually wear: exotic dancewear, clubwear and platform heels from 6 inches up. Before you drive across town or order online, here is what separates a store that will get you the right piece from one that will cost you a return.
What should a dancewear store let you do before you buy?
Try it on. Exotic dancewear runs small and is cut to stretch, and platform heels change how you stand. A store that keeps its range on the floor, with a fitting room and a hard floor to walk on in the heels, saves you the most common mistake: the right style in the wrong size. If a store is online only, check the size chart against your own measurements (bust, waist, hips) and read the return policy on intimates before you pay. Our Dancewear Sizing & Fit Guide shows how to measure.
Which heel heights should be in stock?
A serious exotic footwear store carries the full performance range, not one token pair. That means:
| Height | Who it is for | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| 6 inch and below | First pair, pole class, most dance auditions | 6 Inch Heels & Below |
| 7 inch | The step up once 6 inches feels easy | 7 Inch Heels |
| 8 inch | Working dancer standard | 8 Inch Heels |
| 9 inch and above | Experienced performers who want maximum height | 9 Inch Heels & Above |
Ask which brands they stock. Pleaser is the performance standard for platform heels because the platform under the ball of the foot keeps the pitch manageable at any height; a store that does not carry it is usually a costume shop, not a dancewear store. For the full explanation of platform versus heel height, read the Stripper Shoe & Heel Height Guide.
What size range should you expect?
Dancewear that stops at a size large is not built for a working floor. Look for XS through 4X in dancewear and lingerie, queen-size hosiery, and shoes from US 5 to 12 or beyond. If you are shopping plus size, our Plus-Size & Queen-Size Lingerie Guide covers how the cuts differ.
Does the staff know the work?
The best test is a question: ask what height most dancers at a specific club wear, or what to bring to a first pole class. A store that outfits performers every week answers without hesitating, pulls two or three options, and tells you which one to skip. That is the difference between a boutique and a rack of costumes.
What about hours, parking and returns?
Performers shop after work. A store that closes at 6 pm is a store you will rarely reach. Check the hours, whether parking is on site, and the return policy on intimates and shoes, which most stores restrict for hygiene reasons. Pleasure Zone is open seven days a week with late hours, with parking at the door at 5705 Richmond Ave in the Galleria/Uptown area. Hours and policies are on our FAQ.
Where does Pleasure Zone fit?
Pleasure Zone has outfitted Houston performers, dancers and nightlife staff since 2000. We stock exotic dancewear and clubwear in XS through 4X, lingerie, hosiery, over a thousand costume styles year-round, and Pleaser platform heels and boots from 6 inches and below to 9 inches and above, all on the floor to try on. If you are buying a first pair of heels for a class or an audition, come in and walk in two heights before you decide. If you are putting a full look together for a shift, a show or Halloween, staff will build it with you in one visit.
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