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 for this July, I had to try on some of the fabulously fun gowns Carole and Pam had in the store. This was one of my favorites. It’s a bodysuit cut like hot shorts under a flowing high slit skirt- very fun to walk in.

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.
If the price seems too good to be true, chances are, it is.

What many “online only “websites do is put the picture of the original designer‘s dress on their website to lure you into thinking that is what you will be receiving.

Instead, what you will get is a “replica” similar to the designer gown. If you take the time to read the fine print on the website, you’ll find wording something along the lines of “your dress will look similar to t his…” There is no way you are going to get a designer dress for rock bottom prices.

Here’s why. Online stores are NOT authorized retailers to the major designers unless the online boutique has a physical storefront. Every designer controls the design, workmanship, and quality materials that go into each of their gowns. Designers will issue a Certificate of Authenticity to the stores which carry their line of dresses. To find authorized retailers, visit the websites of the designer gowns you are interested in and they’ll locate a store in your area.
Also, you want to purchase from honest dress stores. If the tags have been cut from the dress or tampered with, beware. Some dress stores buy gowns from the “knock off” websites and try to sell them at the designer prices. If in doubt, ask to see the stores Certificate of Authenticity.

I totally understand about living on a budget and wanting to get the best quality for your dollar. You just need to do your research and know there is a possibility of getting something less than what you expect if you order online. Many times the replicas arrive made of cheap fabrics, are incorrectly sized, and the color is slightly off. You will either spend a ton of money in alterations trying to fix the gown, or you’ll end up purchasing a new one to replace it.

There are several dress sites that design gowns “in the style of” and sell the fashions at very affordable prices. Many of these gowns fit great and make it possible for women to participate in pageantry. We need these choices. The difference is these websites post photos of “their “real gowns so you have a better feel as to what expect.

When the event is REALLY important to you, here are a couple questions to ask yourself to help decide whether to buy online or from the store:

• How important is the event for which you are going to wear the gown?
• Do you know someone who has ordered from this company?
• How much time do you have before your pageant?
• Are you comfortable with the companies return policy?
• Is there a phone number where you can talk with a human if there is a problem with the gown?
• Do you have a skilled seamstress who can make alterations to the gown?
• What will the alterations cost?
• Is the gown you are purchasing the exact gown shown in the photograph?
• How important is it that you see and try on the dress before you buy it?

 

Every designer’s sizing runs differently. A size 2 in one line may be a size 6 in another. Forget what the number is. You need the gown to fit you. Don’t assume you can take your own measurements correctly either. Most teens think their waist measurement is where their low riding jeans hit. This is not your waist measurement. Have a professional who knows how to measure do it to ensure a proper fit.

Bottom line is how much risk are you willing to take? Because I’m petite, I need to try things on before I purchase them or have them custom made. I’m a hard fit when it comes to gowns. So I decided to go with a store that I trust.
As a result of giving my business to Uniquely Yours, I have the gown I wanted months before my pageant; I stayed within my budget; it fits me perfectly and needed zero alterations. The whole experience was stress free and fun. The only problem is there are several dresses still down there calling my name.

 

Special for the Pageant Princess or Queen in your life for $59 (+$12 S&H). An $89 value when purchased separately.

Only 10 left!

Receive my 60 minute training DVD Take The Stage, the Pageant Planner and a set of 12 interview cards for $59 (+$12 S&H). Individually, these items cost $89.

This is an affordable training kit for the pageant princess or queen in your life.

WTP Take The Stage Training DVD

The Winning Through Pageantry Take The Stage™ training DVD is a must have training tool for natural beauty pageants. The depth of information shared in this video will further polish your on stage presence.

Remember, the judges cast their final vote when you are on stage in your evening gown. Your overall stage presence and appearance will determine your final placement.

In this 60-minute DVD, you will learn:

• proper posture and alignment,
• foot positioning,
• timing of your turns,
• multiple walking patterns,
• stage presence,
• microphone etiquette,
• Numerous tips as Rhonda demonstrates all of these techniques.

The modeling style taught in this video will work for those contestants competing in the following natural pageant systems:

• Miss American Coed (MAC),
• National American Miss (NaMiss),
• Miss America,
• America's Outstanding Teen,
• Miss Teen USA,
• Miss USA,
• Mrs. America,
• Mrs. United States,
• Teen, Miss and Mrs. International,
• America's National Teenager (Antso),
• American Royal Beauties,
• Any of the numerous systems that follow the standards of a natural pageant.

Contestants who are brand new to pageantry or have done a couple pageants in the past; and those who do not have pageant preparation resources close to them will benefit most from this DVD. Even if you feel confident in your modeling skills, the numerous tips shared in this DVD will take your onstage presence to the next level.
Please allow up to 14 days to receive your DVD. This is being shipped from a separate vendor. The DVD is readable in all countries around the world but should you receive a defective DVD, a replacement one will be sent.

The WTP Pageant Planner

The Winning Through Pageantry Pageant Planner from Holdon contains organizational pages for logging and tracking 100 pageant related events. Each form records Event Details, Contact Info, Event Expenses, and Post-Event Info. There is also an Income Management Section to record payment details.
Now logging & tracking your pageant-related event details is easy!

• High-quality product
• 8.5" x 11"
• Finished coil-bound spine
• Vinyl front and back covers for durability

What's Inside...
Contact Page

• Your contact information
• Important pageant contacts (i.e. - coach, director, salon, etc.)
• Other contact information

Live Performance Forms

• Logging & tracking forms to track up to 100 pageant-related events (i.e. - consultations, media events, autograph signings, etc.)
• Log event requirements (i.e. - crown & banner, opening number wardrobe, script, etc.)
• Record all of your event expenses and mileage for tax purposes
• Post Event area (i.e. - what you wore, who you met, guests, etc.)

Income & Reimbursement Management
Record income & reimbursement details (Pageant/Event Name, Event Date, Payment, etc.)

Pageant Target List
Target Pageants, know special requirements, competition, categories, entry fees, etc.

Pageant Contacts
A section dedicated to Pageant Industry professionals you wish to keep in contact with

Notes Section

• Keep your notes handy and accessible
• Add any thoughts, suggestions or ideas

Calendar Section

• 12-month, day-by-day, fill-in calendar section (non-time sensitive, fill-in as you go)
• 24-month quick-view calendar section

Storage Pockets

• Promo Material Pocket to hold self-promotional material that you can pass around (i.e. - promo postcards, headshots, flyers, etc.)
• Notes Pocket to store any speeches, top-5 question notes, etc.

The WTP Interview Card Set

What kind of questions will the judges ask me in interview?
What if I don't have an answer?

The ability to answer questions about you, your family, platform, goals, community and pop culture in a clear way is an important life skill. The more practice you have in conversing with people, the better your speaking skills will become.

Over 1000 contestants from ages 7 to 80 around the world have used these cards and reported back to me that they were confident and prepared for their pageant interview. Many of my clients receive the highest interview scores.

As a contestant and judge, these are real questions that I have asked, been asked, or heard other judges ask in the interview room. I know they are effective and relevant because my clients and pageant family on Facebook have told me several times that they have experienced other pageant coaches and judges using my cards. By the way, I take this as a compliment, not a threat :).
Outstanding features of this 12 card set includes:</ p>

• Over 200 questions covering 12 diverse subjects. Each card has questions dedicated to one topic. For example, there are 56 questions on the "favorites" card.
• The back side is blank so you can jot down your ideas for answers.
• Being the size of a recipe card, they are easy to carry and you can practice anywhere.
  The DVD will arrive separately from the planner and the interview cards. With the holiday mail delivery, please allow up to 14 days for delivery.

$89 $59 (+$12 S&H)

10 left

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF).
She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.
She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

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. They are:

• Color
• Neckline
• Proportion
• Fabric
• Price

The neckline should ultimately lead the eye back to your face whereas the color should make your skin look radiant. I’ve reached the point in my life where white doesn’t work for me anymore. I’ve lost too much pigment in my skin and hair to look great in white; but I am more than excited about the bright colors that are available on the market right now. Color rocks!

Proportion is especially important to petite contestants. Ideally, you want most of the gowns stoning and ornate features to be on the top third of your dress and keep the bottom two-thirds more simple to elongate and add height. Or you can flip this where the upper two-thirds is uniformed and the bottom third is fun and ornate. To look your tallest, dress from head to toe in one uniformed color or solid beading. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules, but using the rule of thirds will help you know what to look for.

Be mindful of the gown’s fabric, too. Shiny material, such as satin, shows every bump and bulge on your body. It also increases the appearance of your size where a matte fabric will not. Silk and chiffon flutter beautifully on stage if you have a wonderful walk.

It’s very important to set a budget. You will pay anywhere between $200- $10,000+ for your competition gown. Once you settle on a price, select the dress that has the other four fashion elements best for you.

Prom line dresses are going to be more affordable than pageant line dresses. Here’s why.

Typically, pageant dresses are made of higher quality fabrics and have better stones on them. They are longer in length to accommodate the 5” heels we pageant girls wear, and have stronger “inside construction” such as boning, corsets, and pads to hold things up and in place. Prom dresses are usually shorter in length, use more sequins, and the construction isn’t as well-built. That doesn’t mean you should eliminate looking at the prom dresses. I want to you understand why a prom dress will have the price tag of $500 and the pageant gown will cost $2500.

Bottom line is you have to love the way your pageant gown makes you feel when you wear it. When you walk out on that stage, if your gown helps your personality shine to its fullest, then that is your gown, regardless of what you paid for it.
Have fun shopping! I know I am.

 

Special for the Pageant Princess or Queen in your life for $59 (+$12 S&H). An $89 value when purchased separately.

Only 26 left!

Receive my 60 minute training DVD Take The Stage, the Pageant Planner and a set of 12 interview cards for $59 (+$12 S&H). Individually, these items cost $89.

This is an affordable training kit for the pageant princess or queen in your life.

WTP Take The Stage Training DVD

The Winning Through Pageantry Take The Stage™ training DVD is a must have training tool for natural beauty pageants. The depth of information shared in this video will further polish your on stage presence.

Remember, the judges cast their final vote when you are on stage in your evening gown. Your overall stage presence and appearance will determine your final placement.

In this 60-minute DVD, you will learn:

• proper posture and alignment,
• foot positioning,
• timing of your turns,
• multiple walking patterns,
• stage presence,
• microphone etiquette,
• Numerous tips as Rhonda demonstrates all of these techniques.

The modeling style taught in this video will work for those contestants competing in the following natural pageant systems:

• Miss American Coed (MAC),
• National American Miss (NaMiss),
• Miss America,
• America's Outstanding Teen,
• Miss Teen USA,
• Miss USA,
• Mrs. America,
• Mrs. United States,
• Teen, Miss and Mrs. International,
• America's National Teenager (Antso),
• American Royal Beauties,
• Any of the numerous systems that follow the standards of a natural pageant.

Contestants who are brand new to pageantry or have done a couple pageants in the past; and those who do not have pageant preparation resources close to them will benefit most from this DVD. Even if you feel confident in your modeling skills, the numerous tips shared in this DVD will take your onstage presence to the next level.
Please allow up to 14 days to receive your DVD. This is being shipped from a separate vendor. The DVD is readable in all countries around the world but should you receive a defective DVD, a replacement one will be sent.

 

The WTP Pageant Planner

The Winning Through Pageantry Pageant Planner from Holdon contains organizational pages for logging and tracking 100 pageant related events. Each form records Event Details, Contact Info, Event Expenses, and Post-Event Info. There is also an Income Management Section to record payment details.
Now logging & tracking your pageant-related event details is easy!

• High-quality product
• 8.5" x 11"
• Finished coil-bound spine
• Vinyl front and back covers for durability

What's Inside...
Contact Page

• Your contact information
• Important pageant contacts (i.e. - coach, director, salon, etc.)
• Other contact information

Live Performance Forms

• Logging & tracking forms to track up to 100 pageant-related events (i.e. - consultations, media events, autograph signings, etc.)
• Log event requirements (i.e. - crown & banner, opening number wardrobe, script, etc.)
• Record all of your event expenses and mileage for tax purposes
• Post Event area (i.e. - what you wore, who you met, guests, etc.)

Income & Reimbursement Management
Record income & reimbursement details (Pageant/Event Name, Event Date, Payment, etc.)

Pageant Target List
Target Pageants, know special requirements, competition, categories, entry fees, etc.

Pageant Contacts
A section dedicated to Pageant Industry professionals you wish to keep in contact with

Notes Section

• Keep your notes handy and accessible
• Add any thoughts, suggestions or ideas

Calendar Section

• 12-month, day-by-day, fill-in calendar section (non-time sensitive, fill-in as you go)
• 24-month quick-view calendar section

Storage Pockets

• Promo Material Pocket to hold self-promotional material that you can pass around (i.e. - promo postcards, headshots, flyers, etc.)
• Notes Pocket to store any speeches, top-5 question notes, etc.

 

The WTP Interview Card Set

What kind of questions will the judges ask me in interview?
What if I don't have an answer?

The ability to answer questions about you, your family, platform, goals, community and pop culture in a clear way is an important life skill. The more practice you have in conversing with people, the better your speaking skills will become.

Over 1000 contestants from ages 7 to 80 around the world have used these cards and reported back to me that they were confident and prepared for their pageant interview. Many of my clients receive the highest interview scores.

As a contestant and judge, these are real questions that I have asked, been asked, or heard other judges ask in the interview room. I know they are effective and relevant because my clients and pageant family on Facebook have told me several times that they have experienced other pageant coaches and judges using my cards. By the way, I take this as a compliment, not a threat :).
Outstanding features of this 12 card set includes:</ p>

• Over 200 questions covering 12 diverse subjects. Each card has questions dedicated to one topic. For example, there are 56 questions on the "favorites" card.
• The back side is blank so you can jot down your ideas for answers.
• Being the size of a recipe card, they are easy to carry and you can practice anywhere.
  The DVD will arrive separately from the planner and the interview cards. With the holiday mail delivery, please allow up to 14 days for delivery.

$89 $59 (+$12 S&H)

26 left

 

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

 

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Life Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF).

She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.

She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, Miss Elegance Ohio 2012, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 23 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on two governing boards of non-profit organizations.  She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

Think back to the last pageant you watched and tell me the color of the winner’s gown. Most of you will answer white, or some shade of it.

Neutral colors of white, beige, gold, champaign, and black dominate the crowning moment followed by shades of blue and red.

There are exceptions to this “white wins” paradigm but for the most part, when you look at the stage of contestants, it’s a sea of white.What do you think? Here are photos from 2010’s Miss America, Miss USA, Miss Universe, Mrs. United States, Mrs. America and Mrs. International pageants. For even more, click on this link to see the top five in 48 states in the 2010 Miss USA pageants, and you’ll see neutrals, red and blue (with a couple other sprinkles thrown in). http://www.pageantupdate.info/missusa2010/topfivegroups.htm

Most people see this pattern but never take the time to understand why. I receive greater insight into this phenomenon each time I judge. Simply put, whites and neutrals are safe and draw the focus to the woman in the dress.

I use the word “safe” because the colors don’t elicit strong emotional reactions from the judges. Think about your own feelings when you see certain colors. Some colors make you go “ugh” while others make you scream “I like it”. Even in the most beautiful green gown, if two of your judges love your choice and the third doesn’t, you won’t score as high. Remember, one point could be the difference between the Queen and the 1st runner up.

 

Every human being has emotional reactions to colors. All you have to do is sit out in the audience and listen to the comments made when the crowd sees certain gowns. Or, just pay attention to your own thoughts and feelings when you’re looking at color.

 

Judges try to be as objective as possible; but when it comes right down to it, they trust their gut feeling about a contestant, and the color of a gown will affect how some people feel.Because the crown goes to the contestant with the highest composite score from all of the judges, a contestant needs to connect with every judge in each area of competition. So you don’t want to be wearing something that will potentially turn judges off. That’s why I say neutrals are safe. I’m not saying everyone should wear white or a neutral color. There are some skin tones that need brighter colors to make the contestant radiant.

 

Whites and neutrals draw the focus to the woman in the dress. The style and color of your gown should work together to highlight your physical beauty. More importantly though, the gown should bring attention back to your face, where your inner beauty shines through your eyes and smile. That’s where you want the judges to be focusing anyway. If they’re admiring (or distracted by) the color and detail of your gown, they’re going to miss YOU. That’s where you get comments like “the dress wore her”. The contestant must wear the dress if the crown is to come to her.

When you’re at a Red Carpet event or making an appearance, you can make a bolder statement. But when the opportunity of being a titleholder is being decided by a panel of judges, you need to find the middle ground. When competing in a pageant, this is the one time when I will say, it’s safer to drive down the middle of the road than to veer too far to the left or to the right. Your judging panel will be a mix of people. That’s why it’s safer to choose a timeless classic gown. It appeals to the masses.

You must be true to who you are. Never be someone or something that you’re not. Choose a gown that has a color and fit that highlights who you are without being overbearing. Remember, it isn’t the color alone that wins.  It’s what the color brings attention to and that should be the real you. 

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive  for my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through  www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert  or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

March Makeover: Your Pageant Wardrobe

Spring is just around the corner! Do you know what that means? The snow will melt and there will be proms, weddings, graduations and pageants!

Now’s the time to start shopping in order to get the best selection of dresses.

This past weekend, my three daughters and I had the pleasure of not only meeting Heather French Henry, fashion designer and Miss America 2000, but she graciously spent time helping my three daughters select their gowns.

http://www.heatherfrenchhenry.info

Even though I was wearing the MOM CAP during this fun adventure, I learned some valuable information from Heather that I felt you might benefit from as well.

Is there a difference between pageant and prom dresses? Yes!

• To accommodate the 4-5” heels that pageant contestants wear, the pageant line of dresses are constructed several inches longer than the prom line of dresses. So petite ladies, look in the prom line of dresses, too. That way you might not have to cut off a decorative bottom to make your dress the correct length.

• There is more fine detail in the construction of a pageant dress than a prom dress. In a pageant dress, there are usually multiple layers throughout, particularly in the bodice to provide proper support and ensure a snug, smooth fit. Higher quality crystals are usually added to pageant dresses so they really sparkle under the stage lights. The quality of the fabric between the two lines is different as well. For example, pageant dresses will be made of real silk where the prom line of dresses won’t. The quality and weight of the material used determines how the gown will fit and flow with your body when walking on stage. This is why pageant gowns are more expensive than prom gowns.

• Every designer uses different measurements to create their dresses so don’t get hung up on what size the tag says. You need to try on every dress because a Heather French Henry size 2 may be different from a Sherri Hill or Johnathan Kayne size 2. Forget the numbers. It’s all in the fit.

• 

  Avoid cutting your body in half with the line of the dress. As a guide, think of the body in thirds. Notice in this Heather French Henry pageant gown, about 1/3 of the dress is focused on the waist up and 2/3 from the waist down, thus creating a longer line. The 2/3 to 1/3 ration is a great guide for petite ladies. For petite ladies,it’s better to wear one color from head to toe to create length and be very careful not to have too much volume in the skirt as this will shorten you and look too overwhelming on your frame.

• To have a custom made gown, expect to spend $3000- $5000 and allow plenty of time for the gown to be created.

• Try on a number of different colors and different shades of the same color. Your perfect shade is the color that makes your skin look radiant, healthy and glowing when you put it on. For all three of my daughters, the colors we went into the store THINKING we wanted to buy were not the colors we walked out with. You have to be open to trying on a lot of dresses. When you find the perfect one, you’ll feel it and know it!

• Try on different necklines to see which one brings emphasis not only to your chest and shoulders, but draws the eyes up to focus on your face. Halter, sweetheart, scoop, off the shoulder, v-neck, straight…try them all on. See which neckline accentuates your positive assets.

• Be open to trying on different cuts of gowns to see which style line creates proportion, symmetry and curve for your body type. Empire waist, mermaid, Grecian, wrap around, gowns with a drop waist… designers are having so much fun, you have fun too. Try on everything to see how your body looks in it. Take pictures of yourself in the gowns and look at them later. After awhile, you can lose perspective and get burnt out trying things on. Expect to go out several times and allow at least 3 hours per shopping trip.

Size doesn’t matter, shape does.

The silhouette, or outline, of your body doesn’t change with diet or exercise because it is based on your skeleton and genes. Your weight may fluctuate throughout the years, but your basic body line cannot be altered. In the book, Color Me Confident by Veronique Henderson, they explain there are basically seven different body shapes. It’s important to know your body type so you can shop for clothes that emphasize or diminish certain physical features. See if you can identify yours.

1. Hourglass
   • Wear the same size top and bottoms.
   • Have a clearly defined waist.
   • Have a curved bottom.

2. Full Hourglass
   • Buy a slightly larger top for your bust.
   • Waistbands are often too large.
   • Straight skirts rise up on you.
   • Feel most comfortable in more fluid fabrics.

3. Triangle (pear shaped)
   • Wear a larger size on your top half than your bottom.
   • Have a clearly defined waist.
   • Have narrower shoulders than hips.
   • Carry weight on your hips and thighs.

4. Inverted Triangle
   • Wear a larger size on your top half than your bottom.
   • Have wider shoulders than your hips.
   • Have a straight ribcage.
   • Prefer an uncluttered look.

5. Lean Column
   • Wear the same size on your top and bottom halves.
   • Have a minimal bust
   • Little waist definition.
   • Flat hips and bottom.

6. Rectangle
   • Shoulders and hips in line.
   • No waist definition.
   • Flat hips and bottom.
   • Extra weight around your middle.

7. Round (apple shaped)
   • Rounded shoulders.
   • Fullness in the tummy area.
   • Wonderful shapely legs.
   • Feel uncomfortable when clothes are tucked in.

The aim in choosing clothing is to create the illusion of having a neat hourglass figure and look proportional. That means:

• Shoulders and hips in line

• A defined bust

• A waist (even with a softly curved tummy)

• A curved bottom

To emphasize a physical trait you like, look for a gown, or clothing, with stones, a style or a special feature to bring attention to that part of your body.

Heather French Henry is one of my favorite Miss America’s. I vividly remember watching the 2000 pageant and falling in love with her personality and style on the TV. Ten years later when I finally met her in person, I can see how she won the hearts of the judges. She’s every bit as energetic, gracious, humble and service oriented now as she was then. The woman makes the title, not the other way around. She continues to walk the talk she spoke on national TV ten years ago. There were neither TV crews nor news reporters around the day we met her in the dress shop. She was just being herself.

This week, be aware of what you do when no one is watching. Are your actions consistent with your words? If there is a difference between how you are acting, and who you want to be, you have the ability to bring these things into alignment. Perhaps you’d like a little help. Feel free to contact me and we can explore this area of your life.

Have every article I write delivered directly to your email. Sign up for my free weekly newsletter. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Rhonda Shappert is a pageant coach and a professionally trained personal development life coach through iPEC.  She created Winning Through Pageantry™, to help her clients achieve winning results in pageants, and help them Succeed From The Inside Out™ in their lives. In the pageant world she has held multiple local, state and national titles. Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three who home educates her three children has been married 20 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and is on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

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 Time to play dress up! For some contestants, shopping for their pageant wardrobe is a highlight of the pageant process. Shopping can be either fun or stressful based on how much preparation time you allow. Trying to find clothing three weeks or less before a pageant can be a nightmare. Start shopping early and find a great seamstress that can hem and tailor your clothes a couple weeks before the pageant. Here are some helpful hints I’ve used over the years to make the most of my gown searching.

1. Set Your Price Range. In my special report, 10 Insider Secrets To Winning, I stress the importance of creating your pageant budget as soon as you decide to compete. Please don’t make the mistake of spending all your money on the gown. If you have $1000 in your bank account, look at all the pageant expenses and decide ahead of time what your limit is for your gown.

2. Know The Appropriate Style Of Dress For Your Pageant System. Research the pageant system in which you will compete. Is it a glitz pageant where the dresses are heavily sequined and beaded, or is it more of a natural pageant? Are the dresses more traditional or cutting edge fashion? Look at pictures from the past year of the top five. What do you notice? I’m not saying buy a dress just like the winner or the runners-up. Instead, notice the trends of the system. Are they wearing the ball gowns where the skirts are bell-shaped and stiff, or do they go for a more flowing look? Are strapless gowns and slit skirts appropriate for your age division? Take note of the details and ask the director for clarification.

3. Determine Your Body Type. The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr and Color Me Confident by Veronique Henderson and Pat Henshaw are two of my favorite books to educate oneself about color, body type and style. Your gown needs to highlight your physical strengths and diminish the areas that are not so flattering. A slit for example looks great if you have fabulous legs. Perhaps you have beautiful shoulders. Then a strapless or halter top neckline may be your calling card. If you’re thicker through your middle, a dress with detail at the waistline will only hurt your scores. Taking time to evaluate your body type is time well spent not only for your pageant gown, but for your wardrobe in general.

4. Choose The Best Color For You. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone looks best in white. I want to reiterate the importance of checking out the system in which you will compete. For example, some systems do not want to see black or red on children and teens because the colors appear too mature. In other systems, they want the contestants in white gowns; so you need to do your homework.

Your perfect color is one that goes with your skin tone and hair color. In pageantry, you are on stage under bright lights. In these conditions, colors look very different than they do up close and in natural lighting. As a rule of thumb, rich, saturated colors look best under the lights where soft pastels get washed out.

5. Go To More Than One Store. Educate yourself ahead of time by learning about the different designers, how their gowns are constructed, and what prices are listed online. Call the stores in your area to see if they carry your size and the labels you are looking for. Then, go to as many stores as you can. Shop for both quality and price point. Many designers are adjusting their wholesale prices to accommodate the economy, so see what’s out there.

6. Try On Everything. Don’t get hung up on what size is on the label or the price. Try it on. It’s all about fit. Some contestants get a better fit from a dress that cost $100 than the one that cost $1000. Every designer’s clothes fit differently. You’ll want to find which labels are your best fits and how their sizing runs on you. With more and more shopping taking place online, knowing this information before you purchase will be a huge advantage to you.

7. Get A Second Opinion. It’s very helpful to take a friend or coach with you when you go shopping. Choose one who isn’t afraid to be totally truthful. Someone who will tell you if the color isn’t right or if it makes your butt look big…LOL. Sorry, I couldn’t resist but every woman can relate to this comment. If your trusted person can’t be with you, take photos and send them to her/him to review. Study the photos yourself as well. Do you like the way you look in the dress when photographed?

8. You Need To LOVE It. Bottom line, when you put on the dress, you should feel like a million dollars. That doesn’t mean the dress needs to cost big bucks. This is your moment to shine and you need to feel totally comfortable and confident in your gown when you walk out on the stage.

Beyond The Pageant

Learning about your body type and which colors, cuts and styles most flatter you is information everyone can benefit from. In both business and everyday life, our outer appearance is a reflection of our inner qualities. Shopping becomes easier and more efficient when you know what to look for and what to stay away from. Think about how much money you have spent on clothing that you don’t wear. So take a few minutes this week to purge your wardrobe of items you don’t like, don’t fit and don’t wear. Donate them to charity. Become more aware of what looks best on you and buy wisely.