I own several different styles of dance shoes including dance sneakers. As Laura mentioned, the most versatile for ballroom are regular black leather (not patent) men's standard shoes.

Dance sneakers are really designed for jazz dancing. Because they have a synthetic sole, I use mine mainly for dancing in clubs or other venues with poor floor conditions (i.e. spilled drinks) that would damage the suede soles on ballroom or latin shoes. I also use them to practice ballroom and latin just to give my feet break from my other shoes. However, I would not wear these to go to a ballroom dance, mainly because sneakers are too casual.

Blair