Hey Queen!
Every pageant girl needs a good pair of heels she can count on. In this post, I’ll be reviewing the BEST pageant heels from this year so you can make an informed purchase. To buy any of these shoes, click the picture or the link immediately below it. Let’s get into it:
Anything by Diverse Style

- Competitions: Gown, Swimsuit, Opening Number, Runway, Appearances
- Age Divisions: Jr. Teen, Teen, and Miss
- Comfort Rating: 4.75/5 stars. I can wear these heels for an entire day without my feet hurting.
- Heel Height: 3.5″ to 6.5″
- My Review: I own the Cross-Strap and Platform Sandals in the color Cinnamon. Both of these heels are a little on the taller side, so make sure you give yourself a month or two to break them in. The Platform Sandals are ideal for contestants who are looking for a taller platform heel after Queenie by Touch Ups, an alternative to Chinese Laundry or Marc Defang, or girls of color who want nude shoes. These are a must-have for all contestants!
Queenie by Touch Ups

- Competitions: Gown, Swimsuit, Opening Number, Runway, Appearances
- Age Divisions: Pre-Teen, Jr. Teen, and Teen
- Comfort Rating: 5/5 stars. I can wear these heels for an entire day without my feet hurting.
- Heel Height: 4″ (1″ platform)
- My Review: These heels are ideal for contestants who are new to platform heels. I’ve personally worn them for gown and opening number; they’re so easy to dance in! They are a must-have for all contestants!
Teaser by Chinese Laundry
- Competitions: Gown, Swimsuit, Opening Number, Runway
- Age Divisions: Jr. Teen, Teen, and Miss
- Comfort Rating: 3/5 stars. These heels take some getting used to.
- Heel Height: 5.75″ (2″ platform)
- My Review: These heels are ideal for contestants who have worn platform heels for a few years now. These shoes have been worn at major pageants like Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA during the gown and swimsuit competitions. Some contestants are comfortable enough in them to wear them for opening number, but know this can be difficult for newer contestants. These heels make your legs look incredibly long on stage, but your toes may slip over the front (not my favorite look).
Katie by Marc Defang
- Competitions: Swimsuit, Opening Number, Runway, Appearances
- Age Divisions: Pre-Teen, Jr. Teen, Teen, and Miss
- Comfort Rating: 4/5 stars.
- Heel Height: 4″ (no platform)
- My Review: Every contestant needs a good sandal! They’re becoming more and more popular and are now the preferred heels for opening number and swimsuit for various pageants. They aren’t too high, but their simple style elongates your legs on stage. These heels are my absolute favorite.
Suntan by Johnathan Kayne
- Competitions: Gown, Swimsuit, Opening Number, Runway, Appearances
- Age Divisions: Jr. Teen, Teen, and Miss
- Comfort Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
- Heel Height: 5″ (2″ platform)
- My Review: Once you get comfortable with Queenie, Suntan is the perfect next heel. It has the same Heel-Platform height (about 3″), so the steepness of the heels are about the same. It also has a sturdier heel than Teaser for some extra support. The thick band gives contestants a classy, simple look. The clear ankle strap elongates the legs even more by keeping the line of sight uninterrupted. Love these shoes!
Marc Tops by Marc Defang
- Competitions: Gown, Swimsuit, Opening Number, Runway
- Age Divisions: Jr. Teen, Teen, and Miss
- Comfort Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
- Heel Height: 6″ (2″ platform)
- My Review: Similar to Teaser, you should only buy these heels if you’ve been wearing platform heels for awhile. They’ve also been featured on national and international stages for the gown and swimsuit competitions. Again, your toes may slip over the front, so just beware of this!
Remember, everyone is different; make sure you pick what heel is right for you! Don’t feel pressured to buy a heel that’s too high for you. Playing it safe is better than looking nervous on stage. Comment any heels I missed!
Talk to you soon,
Jordan