Building Pageant Wardrobe on a Budget
Classic: Trends come and go, but classic is forever. Purchase tailored classic pieces that fit well and look good. Stick to colors that are always in style as well like navy, ivory, white, tan, and grey. You can dress up and brighten these items with accessories.
Cost: Though worth it, classic clothing can be costly. However, if you make it a habit of looking for classic clothes regularly and at brand name discount stores, you can build up your pageant wardrobe over time.
Versatile: To avoid being seen in the same outfit twice by the same people, your pageant wardrobe must be versatile. Having classic clothing that coordinates well will help you to mix and match your individual pieces. Be sure to choose items that will look good regardless of the category. For example, clothing you purchase for the talent category should be versatile enough to wear for future semi formal, formal, or casual wear requirements.
Casual: Make sure your casual wear is not too casual. When participating in pageants, you must look good at all times, whether you are being judged or not. While your clothing must be comfortable, they should retain shape, fit well, and be in good repair. Once an item starts to show the least bit of wear, it should be moved into your casual lounging around the house wardrobe.
Talent: Your talent wardrobe for pageants should of course fit with your talent performances. If your talent is classic like playing the piano, Singing Opera, or reciting poetry, then you can use something from your formal or semi formal pageant wardrobe. If your talent is contemporary, like singing popular music or even yodeling, then your casual wardrobe may have an appropriate outfit for your performance. Should your talent be physical, then you should purchase dancewear and costumes from specialty stores. Fortunately, you can also wear this clothing during group performance rehearsals if alternate pageant uniforms are not required.
Semi formal and formals: Your semi formal pageant wardrobe and your formal pageant wardrobe need to be interchangeable. If your purchase separates, you can wear the same top with skirts of different lengths. If you need to make a quick change, you can even do this within one pageant. Imagine wearing a semi formal dress that consists of a straight skirt and halter-top, and then quickly swapping out the skirt for a full-length ball gown skirt with lots of crinoline. No one would be the wiser.
Accessories: When shopping, always keep your eyes open for accessories on sale. If you like it, buy several, in the same color and in different colors. A handful of rhinestone pins can cover boring buttons, embellish or repair an item in a pinch. Satin belts and sashes can give any outfit and infant boost. Likewise, a shawl worn in different ways can add an extra layer to a skirt, or serve as a top by itself. Unlike your basic wardrobe staples, some of your accessory items can and should lean toward the trendy size. In addition, you will want to purchase a few trendy blouses each season to wear to your pageant activities once, and then you can move them into your every day wardrobe.
Care and storage: To manage the cost of your pageant wardrobe, you must give special attention to care and storage. After each pageant, inspect all items carefully for stains, shadows, rips and tears. Have them repaired and cleaned. When they are clean and thoroughly dry, store them in clear airtight dress bags so you view the items without touching them. It is very easy to get makeup or oils from your fingers onto your formal wear without realizing it. These stains will show up later and will be difficult to remove. Keep Jewelry, accessories, sashes, etc, in clear plastic baggies and store them in an airtight box. I prefer a large toolbox that we have embellished to make it look girly. Clean the jewelry, belts, and other accessories as well to remove oils and moisture that might cause tarnishing.
Required Uniforms: Most pageants you participate in will also have a required uniform for the group performances, and possibly even for downtimes so everyone is recognized as a pageant contestant at all times. You can move some of the times into your talent wardrobe. However, if everything has a logo on it for one specific pageant, consider wearing them as causal wear at home. The t-shirts look great with jeans and are great conversation starters that will help you raise money for your pageants fees. I like to purchase extra t-shirts that might be on sale from previous years so my daughter can wear them all the time.
So, to build your pageant wardrobe on a budget, remember to keep your eyes open for classic pieces in classic colors. Get versatile items. Remember casual wear should be comfortable, but avoid items that may lose shapes or show wear. Try to choose your talent wardrobe from your other categories, and mix and match formal and semi formal pageant gowns by purchasing separates. Finally, always keep your eyes open for that perfect piece, especially if it is on sale.
Note: Always check the clothing regulations for each pageant you enter.
