Walk This Way: The Art of Walking Gracefully
Our beauty editor Chelsea Lowe explains how to look graceful in almost any situation
Natural grace? Nonsense!
Believe it or not, what we call "grace" is often just a matter of knowing what to do.
Want to know how to look graceful in almost any situation?
Let's start with the basics:
Until now, you probably haven't given much thought to how you look while standing still. After all, how often do you just stand around in public?
Answer: More often than you think!
When you wait on line at a store cash register or outside a popular movie, when you stop by your boss's office to request a meeting time, or run into a friend on the street and talk, when you wait for a bus, train, streetlight or ride, you’re standing in public. And any time you're in public, others can see you.
Although it might sound absurd to consider how you might look as you wait to cross a street, the truth is that class isn't something we can turn on for special occasions.
So! Here's how to wait like a movie star. Try it. You'll look so lovely, you won't be able to stand yourself!
Standing Posture:
Start at the bottom: your feet. With your weight on the left leg, place your left foot at a 45-degree angle to your body. (You can reverse position to favor your right leg, instead.) Place the right foot perpendicular. Bend your knees slightly; tuck your behind under and in. Straighten your back. Arms should hang loosely at your sides, chin parallel with the floor. If you need to, pull your neck back, as well. There you are: Graceful and beautiful!
Note about photo: My husband took this informal photo. You can see that my hair is messy and I’m hardly dressed like a high-fashion model. But I’m standing straight and tall.
Pivot
Let's say you're standing on the street waiting for a cab. Behind you, a friend calls your name. How do you turn to him or her gracefully? Assuming your weight is on your left leg, move the right foot to the left of the left foot (got that?), keeping your right heel off the ground. Step up onto your toes and pivot. You will now be facing the opposite direction. (See illustration.)
Cross right foot over left ... On your toes, and… pivot. (Then put feet together.)
Stairs:
Climb or descend stairs gracefully by angling your feet about 45 degrees toward the banister. Rest your fingertips lightly on the rail.
Angle your feet about 45° toward the banister.
Chairs
There is even a graceful way to sit down: Feel for the front of the chair with the backs of your legs. Sit down at the chair’s edge, place your hands at the back to steady yourself, then slide all the way back. Avoid shimmying this way and that.
Place your hands loosely in your lap. Cross legs at the ankle—not the knee.
Feel for the front of the chair or bench, sit at the edge, then push your tush all the way back.
Cars
There's even a proper way to get into or out of a car: Don’t climb in, feet first. Open the door, turn away from the car and sit, then lift your feet and swing them into the vehicle. Get out the same way, in reverse. Use this same rule for restaurant booths: Turn, sit, swing.
Don't get into a car feet first!
