Suit -vs- Dress Debate

The natural pageant world is going through a transition, a shift, if you will, on style. What's  "in" what's not, what's appropriate, what's over the top. For about three years or so, we've seen a shift in interview wear from two-piece suits, to dresses in all age divisions.

So, the question is: Should my daughter wear a suit or a dress for her next pageant?

At one point, two-piece suits were all the rage from Jennifer Roberts knits to custom made shantung silks to off the rack Kaspers. The problem with that, however, is that they are either super expensive, or impossible to find, which forced people to go custom made (which can also be expensive and risky).

Today, you'll find many contestants placing and winning in the less expensive alternative with off-the-rack options from Dillard's to Nordstrom. You have to be cautions though, because there are so many options when purchasing off the rack, you can end up buying something that doesn't fit well, (and you'll spend more to get it altered than the dress was worth so you may as well have gone custom made in the first place) or the style doesn't mirror the image of the pageant system, and it can be off-putting to judges.

I don't think there's a cut-dry answer to this question. I truly think that it depends on the girl, the pageant system, her state, and what looks good on her. Some girls look great in two piece suits. Some can pull off any dress from the rack. I recommend trying both options. Also, see what the national title holders in your pageant system are wearing for your age division. This is your best indicator of what the directors and judges are looking for in a title holder.

Happy shopping, and as always...

Envision your reign.