School is back in session after a long break, and for most students, that may be a disappointing truth. Between homework, classes, and long days at school, there are not many positive factors in winter break ending. However, there is one event that students can look forward to that is coming up very soon.
Winter Formal has finally been brought back to San Marcos after countless years of absence. The dance is on Saturday, January 20 from seven to ten pm. The theme is “Snowball,” and the venue will be decorated like a Winter Wonderland. Similar to other San Marcos dances, the Snowball will be a night of music and dancing, but this dance is much more formal than other dances such as our recent Homecoming. The attire for the Snowball is fancy; girls are encouraged to wear long, ankle length dresses, and boys are encouraged to wear tuxedos or suits.
Students may face challenges finding something fancy to wear for this dance. If you are lost and looking for outfit inspiration, do not fear! There is still time to put together a fantastic winter formal look. The Assistance League hosted a dress drive where many students got dresses. Although the dress drive is over now, the Assistance League is also doing a dress drive in the spring in order to give students an opportunity to get Prom dresses. One of the best things about the dress drives is that all dresses are free, gently used, and ready to wear.
Here are some tips from students who are putting lots of time and thought into their winter formal looks:
“I think that any dress can work but I am personally wearing a long dress,” said junior Luna Ramirez-Solano. Like many other students, this is the first Winter Formal dance that she has attended.
“I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends and just having a good night overall,” Ramirez-Solano added.
For Winter Formal, long dresses are recommended because they are more formal and this event is fancier than other San Marcos dances. Dresses with spaghetti straps that are sparkly, especially ones with criss-cross straps in the back are very popular among students, so there is sure to be a lot of them at the winter formal. White or blue or silver are great colors for dresses, since they go along with the wintery Snowball theme. It is going to be chilly on Saturday night, so it would be smart to wear some sort of cardigan or sweater over your dress that still fits the formal theme while keeping you warm. Suits or Tuxedos are the best thing to wear for boys, because they are fancy enough for this event and there are so many different styles you can choose from. Again, winter like colors are perfect for the Snowball so it is definitely recommended to keep those colors in mind when choosing your winter formal outfit.
As for shoes, you can have the choice. Many girls will be wearing heels, which is more of a fancy choice, but just as many girls will most likely be wearing more comfortable shoes such as converse or air forces. If you are planning on spending the entire night dancing, it might be best to skip the heels. But, if taking photos and grooving on the sides is more your style, heels are an amazing idea! For boys, any shoes will work, as long as they are close toed and great for dancing all night long.
When you are thinking about your hair and makeup, it is entirely up to you! At past school dances, girls often curl their hair and have it half up half down, or twist their hair into fancy updos (which would be fitting for this dance), or just keep it simple with their hair down and natural. For makeup, there are so many different looks you can experiment with. The most important thing is that your entire Winter Formal look is uniquely your own, and that you feel confident in it.
Most San Marcos students have never been to a winter formal dance before, which is why the fact that we are having a winter formal is so exciting. Students will get to experience a different type of dance, have fun with their friends and make the most of their high school experience. Another reason that this event is so highly anticipated is that it is taking place outside of school, at a venue that San Marcos has never had a dance at before. Normally, the dances are all held at school, excluding Prom, in which the locations vary.
Students are grateful that they will finally be able to go to a new location for a school dance. Overall, The Snowball is sure to be a magical night that students will remember for the rest of their lives.
The dance is on Saturday, January 20 from seven to ten p.m. and will take place at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
