If you spent any time on the internet circa 2014, you probably remember the "arm-flailing" era. People loved to poke fun at Taylor Swift’s dancing. She was the tall, slightly gangly girl at award shows who looked like she was having the time of her life while everyone else was trying to look cool. It was endearingly awkward. But something shifted. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve seen the clips. The choreography has changed. The confidence has changed. Specifically, the internet has become obsessed with Taylor Swift shaking hips during the Eras Tour, marking a massive departure from the "individualist dork" persona she embraced during the 1989 years.
Honestly, it's a fascinating evolution to watch.
From "Shake It Off" to the Vigilante Shit Chair Dance
Back when the Shake It Off music video dropped, Taylor was lean-in on the "I can't dance" narrative. She literally crawled through the legs of professional twerkers to highlight how out of place she felt. It was a calculated move. By being the "klutz," she made herself relatable to millions of fans who also felt like they had two left feet.
But fast forward to the Eras Tour, and the vibe is completely different.
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The most cited example is the performance of Vigilante Shit. It’s a moody, Midnights-era track that involves a full-on burlesque-style chair routine. This isn't the "clunky" movement critics talked about during the Reputation stadium tour. It’s fluid. It’s intentional. When she’s on stage now, the way she moves her hips isn't a punchline; it's part of the storytelling.
The technical shift in her choreography
You can actually see the work she put in. Mandy Moore—not the singer, but the choreographer behind La La Land and the Eras Tour—clearly understood how to use Taylor’s height to her advantage.
- Center of Gravity: In earlier tours, Taylor often stayed very upright, which made her movements look stiff. Now, she incorporates more "grounded" movements.
- Isolation: Watch the Karma performance or the transition into Style. There is a lot more hip isolation than there used to be.
- Stamina: We’re talking about a three-hour show. To maintain that level of physical performance while singing live requires a level of athletic conditioning that she simply didn't have during her Fearless or Speak Now days.
Some people on Reddit's Swiftly Neutral sub have argued that she’s still "not a dancer" in the traditional sense of a Britney Spears or a Beyoncé. That’s probably fair. But she’s become a performer who knows her body. There is a specific moment during the 1989 set of the Eras Tour where she does a rhythmic hip shake during Shake It Off—a direct callback to the song's title—and it’s night and day compared to the 2014 version.
Why the internet is so obsessed with Taylor Swift shaking hips
It’s partly about the "glow-up."
There is a psychological satisfaction in watching someone go from being mocked for a skill to mastering it. When clips of Taylor Swift shaking hips go viral, it’s usually because fans are proud of the confidence. She isn't hiding behind the "dork" label anymore.
Also, let’s be real: the Reputation and Midnights eras are darker and more mature. The choreography reflects that. You can't perform Dress or Maroon with the same bouncy, country-pop energy of Our Song. The movement has to be more sensual and deliberate.
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The "Eras Tour" impact on search trends
Data shows that searches for her tour choreography spiked every time she changed a costume or added a new "surprise" movement. It’s a feedback loop. She does a specific move—like the hip-sway during the Midnight Rain costume change—and within an hour, there are ten thousand edits of it on social media.
The human element of the performance
What’s most impressive isn't necessarily the technicality of the hip shakes. It’s the fact that she’s doing it while navigating a stage that is essentially a giant treadmill and a series of trap doors.
I remember reading a dancer’s perspective on her improvement. They pointed out that her "fluidity" increased significantly between the start of the tour in Glendale and the later legs in Europe and Asia. She wasn't just memorizing steps anymore; she was "settling into" the choreo.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to capture that same energy or just understand the "why" behind the viral moments, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the transitions: The best hip-shaking moments usually happen during transitions between verses, not just during the big choruses.
- Study the "Vigilante Shit" routine: If you're a dancer, this is the gold standard for "prop-based" choreography that emphasizes hip movement.
- Notice the footwear: Taylor performs mostly in custom Louboutin boots. The heel height is consistent, which is key for maintaining balance during those sharp hip movements.
- Check the lighting: A lot of why these moves look so good on camera is the use of "follow-spots" that highlight the silhouette, making the movement pop against the dark stage.
The "awkward" Taylor isn't gone—she still makes funny faces and trips occasionally—but she has clearly traded in the self-deprecation for a more powerful presence. Seeing her own the stage like this is a lesson in personal evolution. You don't have to be the best dancer in the room to be the most captivating person on the stage.