Everything that adorns your body while at a pageant is a reflection of your inner self.  Selecting any part of your wardrobe should not be a task that is taken lightly.  Judges, fellow contestants, and directors use these items as clues as to who you are inside.  Your wardrobe is the easiest way to express yourself to a group of complete strangers in mere seconds.  With a floral dress, you can say, “I am a sweet girl”. With a black suit, you can say, “I’m ready for business!”  However, killer heels can kick down the door to your win.

Step Up the Shoe Game

Now the shoe topic is sure to separate old school contestants from more progressive new school competitors.  The old school approach would dictate that your heels be the following: black or nude, closed toed, and moderate height.  In fact, in my competitive years, that is the shoe I would have chosen. Here is my advice to you: Step Up your Shoe Game! The judges don’t want to see your mom’s shoes.  Being super conservative in this area will not do you justice.  Your shoes should be the crowing jewel of any outfit. Here are some new guidelines to kicking up some attention:

DO….

• Wear heels that you can walk in!
• Choose an interesting print.
• Wear high heels that say you are a touch professional.
• Show those pretty manicure toes.

DON’T…

• Wear a stiletto that you are not comfortable with.
• Wear high heels that depicts the entire jungle.
• Wear high heel shoes that says you are a professional streetwalker.
• Wear heels that smashes your pretty toes to unnatural point.

The way you feel during your pageant is key to your performance.  Take time to really choose pumps that help you to display all of your best qualities from head to toe.  Also, don’t forget that best thing that you can slip on is confidence, and I hope that with these few guidelines you can take a step in the right direction.

Kristen Darden is a pageant coach out of Tennessee and can be reached at kristen.darden@gmail.com.