Think about it: You are gleaming in those sparkly lights, the crowd cheering you loud, and you are taking that poised walk with that glorious beauty crown! Isn’t this the kind of moment we all fantasize about?
From practicing the walk and poses to maintaining your shape to keeping your skin healthy and glowing, prepping for a pageant is a rollercoaster where you have to juggle multiple things at once!
But who’s the real star of this show? Obviously, that gorgeous dress, correct? But when there’s a star, there are always villains to battle, right?
Took hours to hunt for the dress only to find out it was as common as flip-flops on the beach!
At the last moment, the zipper of the dress acted rebel!
The heels got caught in your dress’ hem!
The dress strap decided not to cooperate at all!
These few villains can be a nightmare for any contestant, eventually loading them with a ton of anxiety! But here’s the thing: the real magic isn’t in avoiding these struggles; it’s in owning them.
So, sweetheart, leaving the stress out, in this blog, we’ll put the limelight on some common pageant dress mistakes and how to tackle them!
Let’s get straight into it!
Searching For “The One”
Well, the biggest struggle? Hunting for that one dress that will make you the ultimate showstopper, isn’t it?? Undoubtedly, there’s a lot to consider, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with valuable pageant dress tips!
Your Body Type
The quest starts with understanding your body type first! Lucky are those who can pull off anything with grace! But if you are unaware of your shape, try to figure it out and then begin the search for the silhouette that suits you!
Fabric Selection
Just because a dress looks amazing on the hanger doesn't mean it'll look great on you! So, look for the fabric you find the most comfortable in—the one that glows in the light and provides you with ease of movement!
Achieving the “Dreamy Fit”
A dress that fits like a dream is essential for nailing that winning look! So, whether it requires a bit of adjustment or major alteration, make sure the dress looks like it was only made for you!
The Color Clash
This is indeed a crucial decision, darling! Picking a trendy color might be a good decision but go for the one that makes your skin tone, hair, and eyes pop!
The Budget
You’ll agree that even a simple creative attire for a pageant can cost a small fortune! But that doesn’t mean you have to drain your savings to look exceptional. It's all about being smart with your choices!
The Curse of the Common Dress
How would you feel if you showed up all pumped up only to find your “unique” look on someone else? Heartbreaking, isn’t it? So, instead of just relying on what’s trendy, also stick to what's classy or both!
What Does a Pageant Judge Look For in a Dress?
Darling, at the end of the day, it’s not just about what you love—it’s about what the judges will notice. So, your dress should be the one that not only makes you feel fantastic but also ticks the boxes for the judging panel!
Slippery Straps
How would you feel if you had to keep adjusting your dress straps every now and then? It’s not only distracting but can also damage your confidence on stage! So, while you practice in that dress at home, make sure the straps are secure and comfortable!
If you notice even a slight issue, make sure to:
✔ Get the strap length adjusted!
✔ Keep fashion tape handy!
✔ If possible, criss cross the straps at the back for better hold.
✔ Use safety pins or decorative pins to attach the straps to your dress lining!
Keep your focus on your performance and not on those straps, babe!
Poor Bust Support
Opted for a strapless or off-shoulder neckline for your spectacular pageant dresses? Then my girl, that fear of “slipping of the dress” will haunt you the entire show, right? Clearly, not a good sign!
So, to walk with poise and confidence, you need to keep everything in place, and for that, make sure to:
✔ Look for dresses that have in-built bras.
✔ Get a bustier or shapewear; it can be a lifesaver!
✔ Have a fashion tape always with your belongings!
✔ Pick fabrics that have more texture and structure!
Picking Elegance Over Exposure!
You don’t want to grab the limelight for all the wrong reasons, right? Your outfit is one of the first things the judges and audience will notice, so make it count. Keep it covered; keep it classy!
✔ Avoid see-through dresses that can look inappropriate under those sparkly stage lights!
Pham Ngoc Phuong Anh, the 1st runner-up at Miss Vietnam 2020, got a lot of heat for wearing a sheer yellow embellished dress! Under the sparkly stage lights, her legs and hips were visible improperly beneath the dress!
✔ Avoid going too deep with necklines!
✔ Avoid too blingy attires!
✔ An extreme thigh high-slit can ruin your subtle look!
Engfa Waraha, the 1st runner-up at the Miss Grand International 2022, faced backlash for wearing a high-slit gown that exposed more than intended!
Wardrobe Malfunction
Nothing kills confidence faster than a wardrobe malfunction on stage. Whether it’s a zipper that suddenly gives out, a strap that snaps, or a skirt that decides to ride up at the worst possible moment, these mishaps can turn your big moment into a major disaster.
So, the key to dodge these disasters is to be prepared well in advance!
✔ Always have some safety pins, fashion tape, and a mini sewing kit ready for quick fixes.
"All that effort is for stealing the spotlight, girl, rather than stressing about outfit mishaps!"
During the Miss Supranational 2018 pageant Miss Supranational Philippines 2018, Jehza Huelar faced a wardrobe mishap when the zipper on the back of her dress got ripped! Without panicking, she gracefully handled the situation and secured everything with safety pins!
“Moments like these prove why safety pins are a real-life wardrobe hero!”
The Tripping Hazards
Imagine you’ve practiced so hard to achieve that beautiful, flawless walk on stage! But imagine the horror of getting tripped on stage either because of those towering heels or the dress’s hem or those long trains! A feeling of complete disaster for any aspiring constant!
To avoid these tripping hazards, make sure to:
✔ Pick a dress that's easy to handle.
✔ Avoid dresses with restricted mobility.
✔ Opt for a hem that won’t catch on your heels or get tangled!
✔ Avoid long trains because those swirls and spins while walking can totally set you up for a trip!
As the video shows, the beautiful Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, dressed in a gorgeous black gown, tripped on the stage as she took her last walk as Miss Universe before crowning her successor R'Bonney Gabriel, from the USA! But she kept calm and handled the situation very gracefully!
The Stubborn Creases
Creases can totally mess up your stunning pageant attire! Those wrinkles might seem minor but can make the fanciest gown look less than perfect under the spotlight. To keep your dress looking pristine:
✔ Give your dress a good iron or steam before the big day.
✔ When traveling, hang your dress correctly!
✔ Keep a wrinkle-release spray handy in your emergency kit!
Visible Undergarments
Nothing’s worse than having visible undergarments steal the charisma of your overall magnificent look! You want your dress to be the star, not your bra straps or panty lines, right? To avoid this fashion faux pas, choose the right undergarments that blend in and stay hidden.
✔ Go for nude or matching colored undies that blend with your dress.
✔ Choose seamless bras or adhesive ones to prevent visible lines.
✔ Check your outfit under different lighting to ensure nothing shows through.
Slay in that Pageant Dress, Without Stress!
Alright, fashion queens. We hope this blog has taught you that, at the end of the day, it’s not just about the dress; it’s about how you own it. Those goosebumps from merely daydreaming about this epic moment are for real, and the hard work you put into it will pay off 100%!
However, pageant dress troubles can make you want to scream into a pillow, but every contestant faces them. How you handle those hiccups and turn them into part of your winning story sets you apart.
After all, it’s not just about standing out despite the struggles—it’s about slaying because of them!
So let your dress slay, bring that brightest smile, and claim your crown—because you deserve it, sweetheart!
