What Is Pageant Sportswear?
In addition to talent, swimsuit and evening gown competitions, many beauty pageants also feature a sportswear competition, which allows contestants to showcase a more casual, everyday look. Some beauty pageants, like the Miss Lakeland Pageant in Florida, refer to this attire as activewear. Although each pageant has specific rules for sportswear attire, there are a few general guidelines that you can follow.
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The Look
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Sportswear refers to attire that is less formal than an evening gown and more modest than a swimsuit. For teen pageant contestants, sportswear might be an everyday outfit that they would wear to school or out with friends. Adult pageant contestants may choose to wear dressier sportswear looks like a nice pantsuit or slacks and a dressy top. The pageant requirements dictate the level of formality of the sportswear competition.
Tops
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Solid-colored or collared shirts are a traditional choice for beauty pageant sportswear competitions. Avoid patterns, which have the potential to take over your look and serve as a distraction. A cap-sleeved or short-sleeved top is best--avoid skin-baring spaghetti straps or overly modest long-sleeved looks. Pageants like the Miss San Bernardino County Scholarship Pageant and Miss Preteen Apple Festival Pageant require contestants to wear T-shirts during the sportswear competition.
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Bottoms
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Bottoms should match the level of formality of the tops. Contestants who wear casual T-shirts should choose shorts or skirts that aren't too short--just slightly above the knee. Choose a Bermuda short rather than a shorter style. Pair a dressier sportswear top with flat-front khaki pants or black, gray or white slacks. Choose a neutral bottom, which will be more flattering with a brighter top.
Shoes
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Pageants that require its contestants to wear a T-shirt and shorts look for the sportswear competition also request that they wear tennis shoes. Choose a shoe that is appropriate with your outfit. A pair of sandals or pumps work with a more formal sportswear look.
Hair
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Contestants should wear a clean, neat hairstyle during the sportswear competition. Save the hairspray and curlers for the evening gown competition. A classic ponytail works for more casual sportswear styles. Wearing your hair straight and down or half up with a small barrette is suitable for dressier sportswear looks.
Cautions
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Some pageants provide--or dictate--the sportswear attire for its contestants. For example, the Miss Preteen Apple Festival Pageant in Liberty, Kentucky, requires all contestants to wear khaki shorts, white tennis shoes and solid-colored T-shirts for its sportswear competition. Check your pageant's guidelines to see how specific its requirements are for the sportswear competition.
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References
- Photo Credit looking for a shirt image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
