Tango and the Río de la Plata

The Río de la Plata is an estuary on the South Atlantic coast, stretching 230 km from La Plata (Argentina) to Punta del Este (Uruguay). It is formed by the Paraná and Uruguay rivers. Along its banks, ports like Rosario, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo have long been centers of trade and cultural exchange.

The word tango has always been surrounded by debate. What we do know is that it was first used to describe “meeting places” in Africa and colonial America. By 1790, in Buenos Aires, tango referred to the gatherings and dances of African slaves. In Montevideo, the same meaning appeared at the start of the 19th century.

Cuban ships often stayed in these ports for months to load salted meat, and their sailors brought music such as the habanera—another influence that shaped local rhythms.

Later, between 1880 and 1920, more than six million Europeans arrived through these same ports. Their presence, combined with African traditions and local culture, gave birth to tango—first in Buenos Aires, and soon after in Montevideo and Rosario.

Population changes also played a role: in 1880, Buenos Aires had around two million inhabitants, compared to one million in Montevideo. Today, Greater Buenos Aires counts about 15 million, while Montevideo has about 1.5 million. This shifted cultural and economic weight, but tango remained rooted in the shores of the Río de la Plata.

That’s why we believe tango should not be claimed by one country alone, but by the whole region of the Río de la Plata.

It is in this spirit that we named our Brussels milonga:
Milonga del Río de la Plata.

Text by Hugo Godoy (21/05/2012 * revision 09/2025)

Here you can find the size chart of your Madame Pivot tango shoes with foot length and circumference by size.

*measured around the foot in its widest point

Half sizes

Half sizes are not available. We believe that the different choices of shapes are enough to cater all kinds of feet.

Standard shape S (formerly marked as 13)

It is the most common shape, with a comfortable sole fitting most foot types, particularly an egyptian-shaped foot, where the big toe is longer than the others.

Narrow shape N (formerly marked as 11)

The shoe sole is narrow and with a triangular shape and fits slim and thin feet. Particularly suitable to a greek-shaped foot, where the second toe is longer than the others. Same length as the standard shape, but with reduced volume.

Wide shape W (formerly marked as 15)

Suitable to particularly wide and square-shaped feet. The upper is mounted on the same sole as the standard but around a bigger last**, increasing the shoe volume.

Flat shape F

Recommended to those who have slim feet with a low bridge height, but not particularly narrow in width and with a rounded rather than a triangular shape. Although the shape of the sole is the same as the standard, shoes have a reduced volume in the upper for a snugger fit.

If you still have doubts about the correct shape of your foot, send us a photo of your foot. 

We are happy to help you!

La Garzonne /El Garzon produced by DeTangosetrata are the house labels designed by Sandrina Dh. 

The workshops of DeTangosetrata are located in Brussels, in the heart of Belgium.

It is there, that all ideas are collected and projects hang form. 

DeTangosetrata carefully studies and designs each garment using only Italian high quality materials. 

The policy is based on local and fair production, in fact each piece is accurately created by local craftsmen.

Also the men collection of El Garzon. 

Each clothes is available in 3 different colors of which only 5 pieces will be made, making each garment limited and exclusive. 

You will look unique at the dance floor with La Garzonne/El Garzon ! 

What is the perfect heel height of a tango shoe?

The height of the heels is a very sensitive issue and it can depend on many things including height, body structure, experience, flexibility of the feet, condition of joints and … . but this is just theory….

Because the answer is simple, exactly the height of the shoe on which you feel comfortable  and stable.

Tango shoes have heels and you have to use them, because the heel has a roll in the dance.

The woman steps backwards (forward), the last kick-off is done with a pressure on the heel, so the higher the heel, the easier this tangent is reached, provided that the stability is already there.  If you wobble on your shoe with a high heel, you can immediately forget about the kick-off. And  yes , high heels are visually speaking sexier and perhaps more elegant, but the most important thing is that you dance well, forgetting your shoes/heels with which you dance.

You can choose your Madame Pivot heels among four different heights, from the lowest one measuring 70 mm to the highest of 105 mm, through two intermediate heights of 80 and 85 mm.

The heel is measured at its maximum height, from where the foot sits at the back of the shoe down to the floor.

Beginners who do not have the habit of wearing high heels in daily life, start best with a heel of 7 -8 cm until they have gained more balance and  stability.  

Some advanced dancers perform better on an 8.5 cm heel and is actually the best for the ultimate valorisation of a tango movement. (see kick-off)

A 10.5 cm height becomes more difficult and is not worn as much. -personally I find a quick milonga dancing with a heel height of 10.5 cm what it’s a bit bizarre and anachronical, because it’s hard to feel grounded-

And this largely limits the dance time  and the freedom to be an all round dancer!

So come to the showroom of Detangosetrata, try some shoes  in different heights and choose in confidence the height in which / on which you feel good.

Un abrazo,

Sandrina Dh

What is your opinion? Let us know in a comment !