And All That Jazz: Capezio Jazz Shoes

Junior year I tried out for Starettes, the school dance team which made absolutely zero sense…seeing as I was a pretty terrible dancer.

I went out and bought some spandex “pants” (shudder) and wore a tank top with the obligatory off the shoulder sweatshirt over it.



There was no need for me to run out and buy a pair of shoes because I already owned two pairs of these:

Capezio Jazz Shoes

Capezio “JAZZ SHOES.”

Lots of girls in high school wore these, and not just for auditions, musical theatre class or for some big Bob Fosse routine.

We wore these to Algebra and American History.

Capezio Jazz Shoes as 80s Fashion Trend

I had them in black and an attractive elephant gray color, and would pair them mostly with scrunchy socks and skirts.

One of my favorite outfits ever was my Forenza black mock turtleneck, black and white check skirt, knee-high socks and my black jazz shoes.

I could dance and shimmy down the school halls like I was in a music video.

They were the most comfy shoes ever! Soft like buttah, and oh so flexible since they did indeed have a purpose, besides looking cute with my black and white check skirt.

As comfortable as my jazz shoes were, looking back they certainly weren’t the most fashionable things I ever put on my feet…

So flat with no heel, my 5’2 self looked extra short and stumpy when I wore them.

But I was ready to burst into the “Maniac” scene from Flashdance at any given second.

Jazz shoe seems to be making a comeback — dancing their way back into our 80s-loving hearts. Check out these pretty leather oxfords currently featured on Zappos, they look awfully familiar…don’t you think?

Frye Oxford Jazz Shoes

These would be super cute with rolled up jeans or a long skirt a la Andie from Pretty in Pink.

Finally. Get your “Maniac” moment in!

Author: Pia Sooney

Just a little obsessed with all things 80s, Pia still has her Swatch, her cassette tape collection, and her Converse Chucks. When not making friendship pins or listening to Depeche Mode, she runs a web design business.

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3 Comments

  1. Oh, how I remember these! I was an aerobics instructor during the 80’s & 90’s and I thought I was a rock star back then. I had a white pair of these (jazz shoes) that I wore with a gray cotton suit. The jacket had huge shoulder pads and the pants were pleated and skinny at the ankles. Can’t you just see it?!!! Ah, nostalgia…

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    • I still own one of the first swatch watch ever made.

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