How to dance at a semi formal

The Ultimate Guide to an Amazing Semi-Formal Dance

thtribune / December 1, 2015

By Jackie Fletcher, Features Editor, and Hailey Hartnett, Staff Writer
Trinity Hall’s Semi-Formal Dance is just around the corner. Before you hit the dancefloor on Dec. 5, here are some tips to looking and feeling your best so you can focus on sharing lots of fun and laughter with your friends that night!

How to: Know Where to Shop

Go to some of your favorite stores – you know what you like best.
If you don’t have any favorite stores, the mall is usually the best place to start. Here are some suggestions for stores that sell semi-formal dresses:
- Nordstrom
- Lord and Taylor
- Macy’s
- Francesca’s
- Abercrombie and Fitch
- Hollister
- GUESS
- Bebe
- H&M
- Charlotte Russe
- Forever 21

How to: Choose a Hairstyle

As previously stated, you know you the best. Choose a hairstyle that you love, and that makes you feel confident!
If you don’t have a preference, here are some simple, fun, and super cute hairstyles that are perfect to dance the night away in. For more information on how to do these hairstyles for yourself, visit www.seventeen.com!

~ Chic Ponytail: A classic favorite. This hairstyle, which displays your long, luscious locks, lets you dance effortlessly without worrying about your hair flying all over the place.

~ Twisting Updo: This hairstyle will definitely turn heads! Perfect for dancing and showing off your dress, this hairstyle beautifully organizes your hair.

~ Cool, Calm Curls: This ‘do helps convey a relaxed, fun and free mood that looks fabulous with any dress design.

: Chic Ponytail

: Twisting Updo

: Cool, Calm Curls

: Sophisticated Updo

: Bling Braid

~ Sophisticated Updo: This hairstyle is perfect for dancing since your hair will never be in the way and requires little maintenance throughout the night. Additionally, this helps show off your dress if it has a unique back or front design.

~ Bling Braid: This relaxed but sophisticated style adds some sparkle to your hair to jazz up your outfit…and your night!

How to: Choose the Complete Outfit

Try everything on altogether: the dress, the shoes, the accessories. Do not wait until the day of the dance only to find that you do not like something!
Make sure that nothing is itchy or uncomfortable. The key to having an awesome night is being comfortable.
Love yourself in it! Who cares what anyone else thinks? If you love it, everyone else will, too.
Find a dress that compliments your body type whether it be an A-line style, a fit and flare dress, or any of the countless options.
The key to finding the perfect pair of shoes is similar to that of finding the perfect dress, but most importantly make sure they are comfortable. Remember, you’ll be dancing and standing in them for hours! Be sure to find a pair of shoes that fit your personal style and your dress style; try to pick shoes that match or compliment the color scheme of your dress. If you want some extra height, choose a wedge or comfortable heel. If you don’t want to be taller and prefer a more comfortable alternative, choose a flat shoe such as a sandal.
Accessorize! If this isn’t your style, then there is no need to add anything extra. However, if you want to add a little something to your outfit, spruce it up with some jewelry. Bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, necklaces and clutches are the perfect addition to any outfit. Again, choose accessories that compliment the mood and color scheme of your dress.
Don’t forget the most important component of your outfit – YOU! As long as you have fun and feel great, nothing else matters!

How to: Find a Date

Remember, a date is NOT required and is certainly not needed for you to have a fun time at the dance, so don’t stress if you don’t have one yet. Fly solo and have the time of your life with everyone there!
Another excellent date-free option is to go with a group of friends from school. Just go with your own all-girl #squad like the celebrities do and make fun memories together.
If you want to have a male date, you can simply ask one of your guy friends; no commitments needed. Having one of your friends there might even make it more fun.
If you don’t have any male friends you want to take, then ask one of your classmates to set you up. Maybe their date has a friend who wants to go, too, or they have a neighbor or middle school friend who would be a perfect date for you.
Use this opportunity to ask that boy you’ve had a crush on for forever. A school dance is the perfect excuse to ask a guy to do something together outside of your normal routine.
Remember, asking a boy to the dance is not the biggest deal in the world and will not make or break your social life. The dance was created for you to have fun with friends inside and outside of the Trinity Hall community. So, don’t stress about the whole date thing…whether you have one or not, just go to the dance and enjoy being YOU!

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December 1, 2015 in Archives.

How to Dress for a Semiformal Event

Debby Mayne

Debby Mayne is an etiquette expert and writer with 25-plus years of writing experience. She covers professional, social, children's, wedding, and funeral etiquette for many publications, including South Florida Parent, Seattle's Child, Tampa Bay Parent Magazine, and Atlanta Parent. Her education in the etiquette arts began during her childhood. Growing up in the South—a region known for its hospitality—she attended etiquette and charm classes in her youth.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/09/22

Jason Briscoe / Unsplash

Have you ever received an invitation to a special event that calls for semiformal attire? Are you unsure of what that means? If so, you're not alone.

What Is Semiformal Attire?

Semiformal attire is an outfit that is dressier than what you'd wear to an office but not as dressy as a formal evening gown or tuxedo. If the event is held in the evening (after 6 p.m.), the semiformal guidelines lean more toward the formal than if it were held during the day.

Semiformal attire is typically worn to weddings, holiday parties, and to fine restaurants. Some teen and preteen dances are designated semiformal.

If you receive an invitation that states semiformal as the required or preferred style of dress, you have a wide range of choices. It fits somewhere between casual and formal, so you might need to clarify specifically what is meant if you aren't sure. There's nothing wrong with contacting the host to ask for more specific information. Now would be a great time to offer to give a toast!

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Feminine Semiformal Wear

There are quite a few options for feminine semiformal attire. This may include dresses, separates, or a pantsuit in a dressy fabric, such as silk, cashmere, or satin.

A dress or dressy suit with a dressy top, with heels, strappy sandals, flats, or dress shoes may also be worn. Sparkling gemstones, pearls, and dressy fashion jewelry are all appropriate. However, be careful not to overdo it, or you'll look more like you're in costume than semiformal wear.

Masculine Semiformal Wear

Masculine semiformal attire could be a conservative dark suit with a dress shirt. A vest that matches the suit is optional. In most cases, a tie should be worn, but in some cases, it isn’t necessary.

If in doubt, wear a tie. You can always take it off later. A belt that matches dress shoes and dark socks are essential. Subtle jewelry is appropriate.

Feminine Semiformal Wear for Teens and Preteens

Age and type of event help to determine what is appropriate for semiformal attire. Some of events that might require feminine semiformal attire might include a bar or bat mitzvah, dance, holiday party, sweet sixteen, or prom.

Semiformal clothes for a middle school dance may include a short dress with sequins at the neckline or all-over glitter. If the dress has a lot of sparkles, wear less shiny jewelry so it doesn't compete. For a dress that isn't shiny, add sparkling rhinestone jewelry for a more festive look.

Someone in high school might choose a more fitted or off-shoulder dress for their special occasion. Before you go shopping, make sure you know what is allowed at the event. Some schools may have a dress code that prohibits plunging necklines, strapless dresses or tops, and high slits at the hem.

Masculine Semiformal Wear for Teens and Preteens

Masculine semiformal looks for teens are similar to what adults would wear to a semiformal event. Start with a nice pair of dress pants, a button-front shirt, a tie, and a jacket. Or you can wear a dark suit. You may even be able to wear a lighter suit to daytime summer events. Complete the ensemble with a pair of dark dress shoes (dressy loafers, oxfords, or lace-up shoes). Always wear socks to a semiformal event.

Semiformal occasions call for good grooming. Make sure you are clean, your hair is combed, and your nails are clean. Tuck in your shirt and make sure your tie hangs at the right level. If you need help, most adults will be happy to give you some assistance with the tie.

Semiformal Weddings

Many weddings call for guests to wear semiformal attire. You want to look your best, but you don't want to upstage the bride, so avoid white or off-white. A cocktail dress is generally your best bet for most semiformal weddings. You may also wear a dressy pantsuit with heels and sparkly jewelry. If in doubt, there is nothing wrong with talking to the bride or someone in the bridal party to prevent committing a faux pas.

If the wedding is outdoors, you may wear a maxi-dress with strappy or embellished sandals that are appropriate for walking on the sand. Heels might get stuck in the grass or sand and make walking difficult, so if you aren't sure, ask someone in the wedding party where the ceremony will take place. Carry a shrug, scarf, or shawl in case a cool breeze blows through.

How to learn to dance shuffle - Lifehacker

December 15, 2019LikbezSports and Fitness

Master the basic movements, and then improvise and get high.

Iya Zorina

Author of Lifehacker, athlete, CCM

This dance style includes a lot of freedom and improvisation. That is why he is so good. You can master the basic movements in a couple of hours, and then complicate them to infinity and combine them with each other, create your own combinations and spy on others.

Dance in sneakers, socks or barefoot, in any outfit, anywhere.

Master the basic movements of the shuffle

In this style, you do all the basic movements with your feet, the hands most often move freely - according to the heart.

Running man

This is the most basic and essential shuffle movement. You can do it in three different ways.

Full foot

The movement begins by bending the knee and lifting one leg. Next, you need to simultaneously put both legs - supporting and raised - at a distance of one step from each other.

The raised leg is placed forward on a full foot, the standing one behind slips back on the ball of the foot and remains on it - the heel is not placed on the floor. The weight is evenly distributed between the two legs.

After that, it remains to return to the starting position. To do this, the front leg slides back, and at the same time, the back leg is pulled up. You find yourself in the starting position and repeat the cycle. The movement itself is soft and springy: do not stick into the floor, keep your legs relaxed.

Heel

This is a lighter and faster running man look that may be needed for some combinations. Here you put your foot not on the whole foot, but on the heel. At the same time, the one standing behind remains on the toe.

On pads

In this variation, the foot is placed forward on the pad. At the same time, the one standing behind also remains on the ball of the foot, and the body leans slightly back.

T‑step

In this movement, one foot constantly makes a “herringbone” - turns the heel in and out - and the second touches the floor and immediately rises back.

When the heel of the skating leg turns inward, the toe of the other leg touches the floor; when outward, the other leg rises, turning the knee inward.

It turns out two positions: closed - when the legs are wrapped with the knees inward, and one leg is raised, and open - when the legs are turned out with the knees outward, and the toe touches the floor. Practice doing the T-step in both directions: slowly at first, then with acceleration.

Rocking

You jump on one foot, and the other touches the floor in different places: on the side of the supporting leg, across, behind - anywhere you want. You can put your foot on the toe or on the heel - the latter is called a kick. The supporting leg can simply rise low or perform a T-step - move the heel out and in.

Charleston

To begin, you turn your knees and toes inward and lift one leg. Then turn your toes and knees outward, and put your raised leg forward crosswise. Repeat the same with the other leg.

All movement occurs on the balls of the feet, the heels do not fall to the floor. You can move both forward and backward.

Diamond

First you put your feet crosswise with your toes outward with a jump, then you also spread your legs apart with a jump.

Slides

One leg is straight, stands on the whole foot, the other is with a bent knee on the pad. Leaning on the pad, you slip the foot of a straight leg back, as if wiping the sole on the floor.

Immediately after the slip, you turn around. In the turn, the straight leg bends and goes to the pad, and the one that was on the pad, on the contrary, turns on the heel. After that, it remains only to change legs and move in the same way in the other direction.

Scissors

From the starting position - standing with a raised leg, as in Running man - you turn your hips to the side with a jump and put your legs crosswise.

The front foot is on the heel, the back foot is on the ball. Then you jump back to the starting position and do the same on the other side.

Sidekick

From the starting position, you turn your hips to the side with a jump and spread your legs a step apart from each other. The standing foot in front is placed on the heel, the standing one behind remains on the pillow. Then, with a jump, you collect your legs and do the same on the other side.

Try other variations of the basic shuffle movements

You can perform the basic movements in different directions: forward and backward, turning around. This will give you more freedom to improvise.

Variations Running man

Do several times in place and then turn around. You can also try walking this way to the side. Each time the leg will need to be placed slightly crossed in order to slowly move to the side.

Variations T‑step

You can lower your foot on the toe, on the whole foot, touch the floor to the side of the supporting leg or forward and behind it.

You can also keep the other leg off the floor at all - leave it on the toe and turn the knee in and out.

Variations Diamond

Here one more element is added to the movement – the heel strike. In the starting position, you wrap the toes of the feet and knees inward, and then jump on the heels, turning the socks to the sides.

From this position, without jumping, you turn your toes and knees inward, cross your legs with a jump, turning your feet with your toes outward, and then return to the starting position.

Charleston Variations

After three turns of the Charleston, turn both toes in one direction and then in the other. At the end, you can turn the knee to the side.

Connect familiar shuffle moves

While you lack the skills to move freely and come up with something of your own, learn a few combinations. They contain interesting movements that will replenish your dance vocabulary.

Combination 1

This is a simple combination of two basic movements - Running man and T-step. First take five Running man steps, then four T-steps to the side and repeat the same in the opposite direction.

Combination 2

Another combination of two basic movements. Here you do three Running mans, then one T‑step with a back foot touch, and two front heel touch kicks. The same on the other side.

Combination 3

There are no standard steps here, but there are already familiar Sidekick and transition from heels to toes.

Learn more difficult combinations

We will add some videos with good combinations.

1. Cool video for beginners: movements are repeated in slow motion to make it easier to dance to the music.

2. And here the combination is analyzed step by step in slow motion, dividing it into three parts. Very comfortably. Look for more on this channel, there are several such analyzes.

3. There is no slowdown here, just a great combination. But you already know almost all the movements, so you can figure it out. If something is not clear, watch the video at a speed of 0.25.

Pick up the music and improvise

Surely you have favorite songs to shuffle to. Include them and start with basic movements: just do the Running man and periodically add different elements when you want. Move in different directions, relax and have fun.

If you don't have favorite tracks, try our selection.

I must say that the shuffle is an amazing cardio workout. In just a couple of tracks, you will be out of breath and sweat, like after a run, but you will feel absolutely happy!

What's more, if you have to force yourself to keep going while running, shuffle requires you to have the willpower to stop and not dance. As a bonus - a short video from a beginner after a couple of hours of practice.

Shuffle is cool!

How to learn to dance in clubs for a guy

Contents

waltz or mazurka. For at least a century now, men have had to guess what a profitable disco dance should be like. Unfortunately, even professional choreographers will not answer this question. But we will try to highlight the basic rules.

Hop and R'n'B

Rules to follow

Relax

Let's tell you a secret: most guys on the dance floor don't look stupid because they haven't taken lessons in dance studios and can't tell tectonics from r'n'b , but because they do not catch the rhythm of the music and cannot relax. And if no one usually pays attention to the first, then the second immediately catches the eye of others.

Hence the first rule: listen to music and let your body dance freely.

Choose a style

If you are a frequent visitor to discos, you should choose a certain dance direction in which you will move on the dance floor. Of course, this will depend on the music that the DJ will put on, but for ten years now hip-hop and electronic music have not left the clubs. Therefore, you can master the basic movements of either one or the other. The "electronics" elements are a bit simpler, so it might be worth starting with them. Video tutorials to help you!

Try to vary your movements

If after watching the videos you still can't feel comfortable on the dance floor, you should consider signing up for a dance studio. An experienced teacher, a company of like-minded people and regular classes will quickly do their job, and you will finally be able to relax and stop having complexes while dancing. Plus, to the envy of your peers, you will no longer dance like a “newbie”.

Remember that everything is for fun

If you do somersaults on the court for ten minutes with a tense face, and then return to the table sweaty, your friends are unlikely to appreciate it.