Answers to Four Common Pageant Questions

There were four reoccurring pageant questions I kept receiving in my inbox this week so I decided to let everyone hear my answers to them.

Q: Do the judges score during the final pageant?

Yes, they do. However, the only contestants scored during the final pageant are [Read more…]

Tips for the Perfect Pageant Gown

The spring gowns have hit the stores and now is the best time to shop to get your favorite pageant gown before they are picked over. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when looking for your competition gown. [Read more…]

She’s Wearing My Dress! The three winning components of your pageant wardrobe

Unless you have your pageant wardrobe custom-made, at some point you may be standing next to a contestant who is wearing the same dress as you. Don’t worry about this. The judges don’t take off points for duplicate dresses. However, the higher score will go to the contestant who looks best in the dress. There are three components every pageant gown, dress and outfit must have to be a winning ensemble. [Read more…]

Buying Your Pageant Gown Online: Is That Price Too Good To Be True?

After spring break, I went to the wonderful dress boutique about 10 minutes from my house in Circleville, Ohio called Uniquely Yours Bridal, Prom and Pageant.

While picking up my national competition gown, I had to try on some of the fabulously fun gowns Carole and Pam had in the store. While I was playing dress up, I learned quite a few interesting pieces of information from Carole about online gown purchasing that I felt you needed to know. [Read more…]

5 Key Elements to Selecting Your Pageant Competition Gown

Don’t judge a dress on the hanger. Try it on! In hunting for my national competition gown, I’m trying on every style of formal to see which one is the most flattering on my petite, middle-aged body.

There are 5 key elements to look for when selecting your competition pageant dress. [Read more…]

Pageant Interview Dress

Many pageant systems are moving away from suits to fashionable dresses for interview. This doesn’t mean the task of finding the perfect interview dress is any easier. You still have to find the right color, cut and style that compliments your coloring, body shape and sense of personal style.

For Miss America’s Outstanding Teen and Miss America contestants, [Read more…]

What to Wear for Pageant Arrivals, Rehearsals and Parties

Pageant weekend is a fun, stylish and glamorous time. You are in the public eye and everything you wear, say and do is a reflection upon the pageant system you are competing in. In a nutshell, you want to look well groomed and put together from the time you step out of your car until you leave to go home.

 

The definition of “casual dress” in the pageant world is totally different than the casual clothing you see people wearing in everyday life. Even when the staff says “dress comfortably for rehearsals” the expectation is that you will still look your best.

Blue jeans are not the norm but instead the exception at the pageant. The exception would be if the jeans were dark in color, coupled with a high fashion top, accessorized and finished with an adorable pair of shoes. The sweatshirt, tennis shoes and denim jeans look should be reserved for your hotel room only. If you leave the room, change. You never know who you might meet in the hotel, hallway or elevator.
You are surrounded the entire time by pageant staff, judges, members of the media and the family members of the other contestants, who in some cases are watching you closer than the judges.

 

Your image and how you present yourself speaks louder than the words you speak. A sloppy public appearance is not the image businesses are looking for when it comes to selecting their representatives. Make no mistake, pageantry is big business and the judges are looking for the next “face” of the pageant.

 

It isn’t necessary to buy expensive designer labels. Your wardrobe must fit your body perfectly and be appropriate for the system you are competing in. Baggy sweat pants or clothes that are too tight or revealing need to stay at home.
Here are a couple suggestions for the various events.

 

Arrival/orientation- A nice dress, suit or pant suit. This is when you make your first impression at the pageant. Look FABULOUS when you check into the hotel and go to the contestant orientation.

Rehearsal– A comfortable dress, dress pants or leggings with a fashion top. Be sure to pack all your competition shoes in a cute bag and go to rehearsal. You want to walk and practice in the shoes you will be wearing for that part of the competition.

Parties– Sparkly party dresses, cocktail dresses or homecoming /proms dresses.
The clothing you wear is a reflection of your sense of style and self image. You want to look tasteful, fashionable and current with your style choices.

Connect with your inner fashion diva and have fun at the pageant events.

 

When Things Go Wrong At A Pageant

Don’t misunderstand me. I love pageantry. But with all of the logistics that go into running a pageant, there is a lot of room for things to go wrong. Being self reliant will eliminate certain stressors and you’ll have a more positive pageant experience. Less stress means you will feel more relaxed and confident in your abilities. The more relaxed and confident you are, the greater your chances are of sharing who you are and winning the hearts of the judges.
At first glance what I am about to say may seem negative, but it’s not. This thought process has saved my sanity and skin countless times. Here it is: [Read more…]

Jewelry In Pageant Competitions

How much jewelry a contestant should wear with her pageant competition wardrobe is simple. [Read more…]

How To Choose Your Pageant Swimsuit

imageIf you have decided to enter a pageant where swimsuit is a scored area of competition for the overall title, there are important tips you need to know. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can run out to the mall and successfully buy a swimsuit off the rack the week before the pageant. You will be very disappointed when you arrive  and see what the experienced contestants are wearing. [Read more…]