What is now called “swing” originated as a number of different dance styles in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in New York’s black communities. Swing dance and jazz music grew together and had a lot to do with each other’s development. The best known dance styles that originated during this time are Lindy Hop and Jitterbug.
The dances were so impressive to watch and so much fun to do that they quickly became mainstream and were adopted by social dance enthusiasts and band leaders, both black and white.
It took a while for the professional dance community to come to terms with what was considered simply “crazy”, but swing eventually became an acceptable and competitive form of ballroom that is still celebrated today.
Ballroom dance teachers began teaching slower, modified versions of Lindy Hop and Jitterbug, and the “West Coast” and “East Coast” styles were born from this simplification of dances that were too fast and challenging for beginners.
The fashions of the time were a big part of the social experience of swing and jazz clubs. Because the ability to move freely was important, short pants and skirts were often worn to allow for athleticism and acrobatics. But as swing found its way into sophisticated ballrooms and ballrooms across the country, slacks and short skirts were replaced by dressier dresses. Since a fitted dress with a fitted skirt would not work, clothing styles evolved to accommodate the range of motion required by the female participants. And it didn’t take me long to realize that a full, flowing skirt greatly complemented the drama of the lifts and turns. Since the skirts were going to fly up and reveal what’s underneath, the stockings and undergarments had to be as presentable as the rest of the outfit.
Modern swingers love to dress in vintage clothing, hair, and makeup inspired by the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s when they go out dancing. It makes the experience more fun and authentic. Many designers today still create fashions that cater to both casual and competitive swing dancers. Broad Minded Clothing and other brands offer full skirt dresses that, when paired with a petticoat skirt, make swing dancing just as fun and fabulous today as it was back then!
The Great Debate: East Coast vs. west coast vs. lindy hop
Not since Tupac has there ever been an East Coast-West Coast rivalry between two passionate factions.
While both styles date back to the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1920s, they have separately grown into very different styles. And fans on each side believe that theirs is the superior dance. The dance that started it all was the Lindy Hop, a very fast and acrobatic dance.
The Lindy Hop spawned the Jitterbug, which was even more vigorous than its predecessor. He was a bit too frenetic (and violent) for a ballroom, so he was “tamed” and modified again to become the Jive. This is the style most similar to today’s West Coast swing style. It’s livelier, faster, played mostly in 4/4 time, big band style music.
In California, the music was more Western-influenced with slower tempos and country/western instrumentation, which played a significant role in the evolution of the style of dance taught in California ballroom studios. The dance evolved into the slower, more subdued style that we now call West Coast swing.
West coast swingers consider their style to be the most sophisticated and refined. East Coast swingers think the West Coast style is watered down and less musical. But both require a level of technical skill and pacing, and are equally impressive to watch, and more importantly, equally fun to participate in.
Aside from the East Coast and West Coast styles is the original Lindy Hop, which has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. Harking back to the original Harlem dances, the new Lindy Hop is aggressive, athletic, and often involves lifting and jumping.