My college is holding a casino night complete with swing dancing. I'm only an amateur, but my partner and I can do a few lifts. The problem is, attire is formal, but my long gown, while not at all constricting, wouldn't allow me to do anything off the ground. Should I stick to the formal dress and go without the lifts, or should I just dress less formally (i.e. shorter dress) and do the lifts? I'm also wondering if that kind of dancing would even be appropriate for a casino night...

Sarah

My first thought is what kind of lifts are you planning? I have always dressed for the occasion. I would dress formal, bring the costume with me, and change when it's time to dance. If the event will have dancing throughout the evening, I would dress formal and forego the lifts if the dress does not allow for free leg movement. When I go shopping for clothes, I always do a few dance steps after I put the garment on. If the garment doesn't allow leg lifts/kicks, or flow freely, it goes back on the rack. Right now I'm having trouble finding such a gown because my instructor want to do lifts for a Foxtrot performance. If all else fails, I'll have one professionally designed. In any case, good luck and have a good time! Regards, Hoofer