Happy National Dress Day!!  Dresses have been a symbol of my identity for as long as I can remember.  When I was little, my parents would have to WORK to get me into a pair of pants because dresses were my uniform of choice.  My dress obsession was so intense that instead of saying “cheese” for pictures, I would yell “dresses with sparkles!” Maybe that’s when we should have realized that I would be a pageant girl?

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As I’ve grown older and my sense of style has changed, the way I shop for my wardrobe has changed as well.  But today I want to talk about the exhilarating, stressful, rewarding, fun, and exhausting process that was shopping for my Miss America/ appearance wardrobe.  Preparing for this opportunity is like no other. You only get one shot (cue Eminem) to showcase your style to audiences across the country, and your Miss America wardrobe will go down in your states history books as your photos are used for years to come. No pressure, right?

There were definitely moments where I second guessed myself and worried that I’d be laughed at onstage.  Although I know that’s pretty extreme, insecurities have a sneaky way of creeping up on us. However, I have 5 tips that helped me to overcome all of my negative thoughts so I could walk across that Miss America stage with #NoRagrets.
1.) Do your research
Check out the social media pages of celebrities, other titleholders, or fashion influencers and find out what your sense of style is.  For instance, I consider my sense of style to be a mix of modern, edgy, and chic. Some of my favorite fashionistas include @heyclaire @lindsilanestyle @officiallyquigley @savvyjanine @emily_luciano and my friend @ashley_turch.  When I’m out shopping I’m constantly thinking about whether I could see these people wearing those pieces (see #3). I also find some of the pieces that I like based on the outfits they post. If you like flare sleeves, go for it.  If two pieces are your thing, rock it. Finding inspiration from other fashionistas has helped me shape my own sense of style and that guides me through every shopping trip.

2.) Is it functional?
This is fairly self-explanatory.  If your swimsuit doesn’t stay in place (even with the assistance of butt glue) it’s probably not a good choice to wear on stage.  If you’re playing an instrument and plan to move around the stage, a big ball gown might be more hassle than help. Wardrobe also varies depending on seasons, so if you know your appearance is outside in the middle of January, you should probably dress warmly.  Make sure your outfit works the best for the phase of competition or the appearance you must wear it for.

3.) WW_W?

To me, the epitome of Miss America is Savvy Shields.  I was obsessed with her the very second she was crowned Miss America 2017 and she has continued to embody everything that I love about this organization, including her STYLE.  During all of my shopping excursions pre-Miss PA and Miss America, I would ask myself What Would Savvy Wear? If I could look at myself in the mirror and say I felt like Miss America in that outfit, I would get it.  Savvy has an innate way of knowing what outfit is perfect for the appearance she is attending so I draw a ton of inspiration from her. To this day, I continue to ask myself WWSW? and that has helped me pick out some of my favorite pieces of wardrobe.  Find your ‘Savvy’ and ask yourself What Would ____ Wear?

She is actual goals.

4.) Take a picture, leave, come back
This is the best piece of advice I have for the indecisive (AKA me).  If you find something you think could work, take a picture of yourself in the outfit, leave the store, and if you can’t stop thinking about the outfit, go and get it.  I actually did this with my Miss America interview dress. I tried it on about a week before I left for Miss America (oops) and left the store without it. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the dress so I went back the very next day and bought it.  Now, it’s one of my favorites pieces of clothing from my entire Miss America experience!

5.) Give yourself TIME
I struggle with this the most because I’m a procrastinator.  Number 4 is pretty hard to do if you don’t plan ahead, so budget your time wisely.  I try to look for appearance outfits two weeks before the event, but obviously when you’re planning wardrobe for Miss America it’s a good idea to start at least a month in advance.  Sometimes I find that I work best when under a tighter timeline, but you also need to give yourself time to alter your outfits for the perfect fit.

I hope this guide helps you choose your next appearance or competition outfit!  In the end, it’s not about the gown, but the GIRL in the gown.  Your wardrobe should help boost your confidence and make you feel like a queen.  I’d LOVE to hear what your suggestions are for finding the perfect outfit! Let me know what your tips are in the comments below!

Happy shopping!

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