Selecting your evening gown is one of the most important aspects of pre-pageant preparation. It can also be the most overwhelming. Your evening gown paints a "portrait" to the judging panel and gives them insight to your personality. This dress also serves as a wonderful opportunity to show off your best qualities. Since the dress itself is not being judged, it is important to remember it's how the contestant looks in the dress that's being considered.
Here are a few tips to help you capture the crown.
Tip #1: Cost
You don't have to spend a fortune to win! An evening gown is generally only one of many garments you'll need during pageant weekend so look for ways to reduce costs. One of the biggest myths in pageantry is how much money you'll have to spend on your evening gown. Pageant insiders know designers often create gowns for their less expensive lines based on sample designs from the couture collections. Olivia Jordan stunned the judges on a custom couture Sherri Hill evening gown at the 2015 Miss USA Pageant. That winning gown style is now featured in Sherri Hill's Prom 2018 collection for a fraction of the cost of the couture version and in seven different colors. Cara Mund, Miss America 2018 wore a custom Jovani design when she captured the crown back in September. Jovani has created a dress in a similar style and color, available for much ;less than the price of the custom dress. By focusing on how great the dress makes you look and feel, not the price tag, you'll save money!
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| Olivia Jordan, Miss USA 2015, In Sherri Hill |
Tip #2: Select a Gown That is Age Appropriate
If you are competing in the teen category, it is very important that you look like a teen in your evening gown. Find a style that is flattering to you while being age appropriate for the pageant. Stay clear of low or revealing necklines, cutouts, high slits or mature designs for younger age divisions. It is also important to read over pageant dress guidelines, especially for high school pageants & scholarship programs. Two piece gowns are fantastic options for homecoming, prom and some pageant systems like Miss Teen USA, however some school pageants have stricter guidelines. If you are unsure, stop by French Novelty and let the experienced style team provide you with a variety of trendy and affordable options for every pageant and age range.
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| Mac Duggal $597.99 |
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| Tiffany Designs $517.99 |
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| Sherri Hill $750 |
Selecting a winning gown requires a host of different considerations - from the image your gown conveys to the judges, to your body type and figure, as well as skin tones and hair colors. Knowing your body type is important because it helps determine what fabric and styles will work best for you. An example would be avoiding clingy dresses or jersey material if you are trying to minimize your waistline. Instead select a dress that flows and draws the attention upward towards your face, not your waist. Keep the focus on your best assets.
Don't be afraid of wearing a color other than white, especially if you have a fair skin tone. The stage lighting tends to wash you out. Pageant consultants agree white looks great on stage and more national pageant winners have been crowned wearing it but it's also the most commonly worn color by pageant contestants. Try colors like red, pink, blue, yellow, and green that will make you stand out amongst the sea of white dresses.
French Novelty stylist suggest bringing the under garments (spanx & bra) you intend to wear to the dress fitting. It can be overwhelming and generally requires help from professionals who know styles, fabrics, necklines, and all the other intricacies of evening gowns.
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| Ellie Wilde $398 |
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| Ellie Wilde $398 |
Tip #4: Know Before You Go
Part of being successful in pageants is being prepared. With that in mind, know the different styles that are available to you. There are six different style silhouette dress styles: Empire, Mermaid, Sheath, Ball Gown and A-Line. By knowing these styles in advance, you'll be able to better communicate what you are looking for. After you decide on a silhouette, familiarize yourself with the different neckline options. The possibilities are endless with necklines with the most common being: Sweetheart, Straight Across, Asymmetric, Queen Ann, Off the Shoulder, Jewel, Boat Neck, Halter, High Neck and Collar. It's also helpful to bring along your shoes. This gives you the ability to check hemlines and walk in the dress.
At French Novelty, we have been dedicated to our customers for 107 years, serving as experts in the field of dressing winners. We would love the opportunity to work with you on your next pageant wardrobe and welcome you to stop by for an evening gown consultation. New arrivals are coming in daily and we are also available to help you using our online store.