Can you really dance in that?
By Aaron Wulff
Your dress looked perfect standing still in the bridal shop. That’s not the test. The test is whether you can move in it, turn in it, and get your arms over your head in it without something ripping, slipping, or sending you to the floor.
Here’s what actually matters.
Shoes
I’ve never had to wear heels, so my heart goes out to brides everywhere. A 2001 survey out of Penn State found that 58% of women reported lower back pain in heels, and it got worse as the heel got higher. Your body has to contort itself to stay upright, and your lower back pays the price.
I’m a fan of comfort, and I encourage you to be comfortable for your dance. High heels look elegant and they have their place in the dance world, but there’s no rule that says you must dance in yours. If you’ve got a full skirt, nobody can see your feet anyway. Wear the heels for photos, then switch into something you can actually move in. Keep the comfy pair waiting on the sidelines.
If you do dance in heels, bring them to your lessons. Heels change your balance, your posture, and what moves you can pull off. You don’t want the first time you dance in them to be in front of 150 people.
A few more shoe rules:
Sneakers probably aren’t your best bet. Maximum comfort, but rubber soles grip the floor and fight every turn and spin.
Watch out for the opposite problem, too. Some shoes are too slippery, usually from a flat, untextured sole or a slick sole material. Soles also get slippery as the texture wears down and flattens with use. Test yours on a smooth floor before the big day.
And don’t let anyone talk you into buying dedicated dance shoes. Some instructors push them. They’re comfortable and well-made, but they’re expensive, and unless you’re taking up dancing long-term, the math doesn’t work. Your wedding shoes, or a comfortable backup pair, will do fine.
The Dress
Tight dresses make it harder to move. If you’re going with a close-fitting dress, plan for small, controlled movements. And don’t show up to your lesson in yoga pants and expect the same range of motion you’ll have in a mermaid dress. Practice in something with a similar fit, or at least know what you’re working with.
If your dress has a full skirt, get yourself a cheap tulle practice skirt or a character skirt and rehearse in it. A big skirt changes everything. You can’t see your feet. Your partner can’t see your feet. Fabric catches on things, wraps around legs, and has opinions about which direction you’re turning. You want all of those surprises in your living room, not on the dance floor.
Straps deserve their own warning. Spaghetti straps slip. Strapless dresses migrate. Dancing involves arms going up, bodies turning, and a partner’s hands on your back. Make sure everything stays where it’s supposed to. Fashion tape is cheap insurance. And test it by actually dancing, not by standing in front of a mirror.
The Groom’s Turn
Guys, you’re not off the hook. Put on the full suit, coat and all, and make sure you can get your arms over your head. If your coat fights you, you’ll feel it in every turn. Better to know now than mid-dance.
And here’s a secret: you can ditch the coat. If it’s easier to move without it, take it off for the dance. Nobody will think twice. A vest with the sleeves rolled up looks sharp, and you’ll dance ten times better when you’re not fighting your coat. The photos already happened. This is about the dance.
For Lessons and Practice
Wear loose, comfortable clothes to your lessons and practice sessions. You want full range of motion while you’re learning.
But before the wedding, do at least one full dress rehearsal. Shoes, dress, suit, everything. The only way to know how your outfit dances is to dance in it.
