How to Perform Walking Styles in a Runway Show

There are a number of different walks you can use on the runway, but they break down into two general categories: a walk with your hands on your hips and a walk with free arms. Focusing on your arm position and movement as you walk in any style helps you bring life into your runway walk and shows off the clothing to its best advantage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Walking With Hands on Hips

1. Place your hands literally on your hip bones if you choose to walk with your hands on your hips. Placing your hands at your waist visually cuts your body in half and also disrupts the clothing's lines.

2. Keep your elbows pointed straight out to the sides, but in a gentle and natural position. You want your arms to look relaxed rather than stiff, and always in line with or a little in front of your shoulders.

3. Relax your hands on your hips. Spread your fingers attractively in a natural manner and then just let them rest on your body. Keep them relaxed throughout your walk and poses.

4. Practice your runway walk with your hands on your hips to make sure you can keep your arms and hands relaxed while you're in movement.

Walking With Free Arms

5. Allow your arms to move naturally as you walk. Both exaggerated arm movement and absolutely still arms are distracting on the runway.

6. Keep your arms relatively close to your body.

7. Walk with relaxed elbows, wrists and hands, and keep your joints flexible throughout your walk. Let your joints bend when they want to.

8. Practice striking end of the runway poses that use one arm so you can learn to easily transition back into a walk with free arms after you pose.

Tips & Warnings

• Modify this basic approach when you want to place your hands in pockets as you walk.

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