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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Ottawa chapter.

Steps to the left, pulls up bra

Steps to the right, pulls up pants

Goes down low and slyly adjusts wedgie…

Does this sequence of events sound familiar? You know what I mean- you’re at the club; your heart is pumping with the bass; you may or may not be chemically compromised and you can’t even hear yourself think much less realize what the person beside you is saying. You are in your element and the cult classic “Wannabe” starts playing. Unfortunately, you chose to wear that tight dress and those sky high heels so you’re stuck doing the two step while your friends are twerking and aggressively singing “So tell me what you want, what you really really want” to fellow club enthusiasts. 

To avoid being stuck with robotic dance moves follow these tips to stay comfortable at the club while still looking your best.

1. Make sure your entire outfit fits correctly.

This seems like a no brainer- if it doesn’t fit don’t wear it, right? But we’ve all seen those dresses that are so short that when you bend down, it’s game over. Or those shirts with V necks as deep as the grand canyon and bottoms so tight we question whether it’s a well executed paint job or a new type of saran wrap denim.  

Wearing clothes that don’t fit will put a damper on your club experience due to constant outfit adjustments-whether you’re pulling up that deep V, or trying to pry your jeans away from your leg. Don’t do it, girl. Just don’t.

2. Stretch is key.

Spandex is your best friend during a night out. All hail the leggings. Don’t get me wrong, the 70’s was a questionable time for fashion and nobody wants to revisit that BUT a good pair of leggings or a stretchy dress will allow you to move as freely as you want. And they will accommodate that inevitable late night fast food binge that completes every downtown experience. Feel free to experiment with bold colours or strategically placed cutouts and sequins. For budget friendly options, scope out H&M or Forever 21. 

3. Wear breathable material

Nightclubs are hot. There is no eloquent way to state this. The air in a nightclub is different- it hangs heavy with the anticipation of hookups and female drama mixed with the vapours of overpriced alcohol and the hundreds of bodies crammed together in a space that is clearly over the fire capacity. Wearing breathable materials like cotton, leather and silk (or a Forever 21 imitation of silk) will allow you to keep cool in the middle of the dance floor mob. Avoid materials like nylon, velvet and polyester. These trap body heat and sweat making you feel sticky and gross long before the night is over. 

4, Wear the RIGHT bra

It’s no exaggeration to say that the right bra can make or break your night. Too tight and you’ll have underwire imprints; too loose and you’ll be pulling it up every time the beat drops. 

Investing in a quality strapless bra from Victoria Secret or Aerie will make sure that everything stays where it should. Experiment with different levels of push up depending on how you’re feeling and try multi-way bras for backless and one shoulder tops

5. Heels or Flats?

Deciding between heels or flats is always a dilemma. On one hand, heels can make you taller and really bring out your calf muscles to give the “Yeah, I work out” effect (fake it until you make it right?). With millions of styles and colours, they can immediately dress up an outfit or become a statement piece. But you must be able to move around comfortably in them. There’s nothing worse than seeing a girl teetering around in heels like a new born horse. 

 

Having the constant fear of falling and completely embarrassing yourself is incredibly distracting. Flats are a great option because they’re comfortable and low to the ground and easy to walk around and dance in. They don’t have to be boring either! Try a pair of studded flats to add edge to your outfit or bring out your sexier side with some leopard print.

6. Feel GOOD in your own skin

Feeling confident in yourself is ultimately the best thing you can do. There’s always that person in the club who looks like they could rock everything from Chanel to a paper bag. And sure, you may look at their outfit and think “Of all the clothes in the world, they picked that?!” But they can sell it because they love it. If you value your innate qualities, love for your looks will always follow. Keep in mind that you may not be able to wear every trend (the crop top and boyfriend jeans are not everybody’s friend) but you will look better in some styles than others. Curvier girls look fantastic in jumpsuits with a cinched waist, while some girls can rock mini dresses in crazy patterns. So, whether you’re wearing a potato sack or a coveted Herve Leger bandage dress, sell it and rock it #respect!

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to have a great night out leading the pack with your Beyonce inspired dance moves. You can focus on having a good time with your friends instead of adjusting your leather pants…yet again. Have fun and stay safe, collegiates! 

Credits: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

My name is Bunmi Adesanya. I am a third year health science student at the University of Ottawa who considers cookie dough a food group, and believes Beyonce is my spirit animal.