When I competed in my first pageant I had no clue what to look for in a gown. I just chose one that I liked, with no consideration for my pageant system, age division, or body type. If you’ve just started competing in pageants, you may have experienced something similar, or if you’re a long time competitor, you may recall feeling a bit lost in search of your first dress.
No matter where you are in your pageant journey, choosing a great dress is an essential part of pageant prep because it can seriously effect your score. When you put on a garment it effects your confidence, how you walk on stage, and it can determine whether or not you look age appropriate. These are all things that judges pay attention to and score.
Budget:
The first thing you have to consider is budget because it narrows down your options. The last thing you want to do is put on a dress, fall in love with it, then find out your can’t afford it. When that happens, no other gown can compare, and you’ll end up feeling unhappy with any pick. After you know your budget, let’s say it’s $500 for example, subtract AT LEAST $100 from that amount for alterations. It’s very unlikely that an off-the-rack gown will fit perfectly, so you’ll need to alter it. Alterations ensure you’ll move comfortably and look your personal best. An added bonus of a dress that fits like a glove is that it gives the appearance of a high-end custom dress.
Age appropriate?
If you are in a pre-teen age division or younger, that’s typically ages twelve or younger, then you are normally going to wear a fuller style of dress, like a ballgown. If you are jr. teen to teen, which is usually thirteen to eighteen, you can wear a ballgown or even a fitted mermaid style dress, just be aware of your age within your division. For example if you’re fourteen, you want to avoid a dress that makes you look eighteen. For Miss, Ms. and Mrs. age divisions, beginning at eighteen years old and up, you’ll typically wear a form fitted gown. It’s rare to see an adult contestant wear, and win in, a ballgown style.
Is this the right dress for YOU?
For starters, you’ll want to consider your hair style and color, your skin tone, and your body type. Your dress should compliment all your unique features. For example, I am a brunette, so I wear colors that contrast against my hair. When I won Miss Montana USA, I wore a white gown that stood out against my tan and dark hair, and did not blend in with my skin tone or wash me out. If you’re not sure what looks best on you, go to the store and try on different colors to see which ones look best on your skin. Do the same for dress shape, sleeves, and neckline styles. You do not have to try on gowns to accomplish this exercise; you can use any garment to get an idea of styles will look best on you.
Searching for a pageant dress will be as easy or as complicated as you make it out to be, so use these basic tips to get started, to avoid feeling overwhelmed selecting the best dress for you. Just remember to have patience and have fun in the process.
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