Hello, everyone! Welcome back to The Queen Next Door. As you have probably figured out, this article is all about Fun Fashion (or runway, depending on the system). This area of competition is present in nearly all systems, as either a required competition (IJM, RIM, UNM) or an optional (NAM, USAA, MAC). There are two parts to this onstage competition: the outfit and the walk.

The Outfit

As always, your Fun Fashion should be fun and age appropriate, and reflect your personality. These outfits are typically described as red-carpet-ready, and include cocktail dresses and patterned jumpsuits. Dress as if you’re attending a cocktail party or a Hollywood movie premiere, but keep in mind this is a pageant. You want to look classy and polished no matter what. If you watch a fun fashion competition, you’ll likely see bright colors, glitter, cool patterns, and dangling earrings. You can get your outfit custom made, but you definitely don’t have to. Whatever you do, make sure you feel great in it! Each pageant has their own trends, but some elements are present across all systems. Here are some examples:

No matter what the trends say, don’t forget to be yourself. Wear an outfit and shoes you’re comfortable walking and turning in. I wore a yellow cocktail-length prom dress and matching converse in my first fun fashion competition!

The Walk

The Runway Competition is all about your personality, so let it shine! Don’t be afraid to try various facial expressions! You’ll often see girls turning and playing with their capes or skirts on stage. Make sure you’re only touching and/or moving your outfit if it needs to be moved, as many skirts flow naturally (ex. high-low dresses shouldn’t be intentionally moved). It’s great to practice your walk and sketch it out (where you’ll do your turns and other details) before your competition. This way, you’ll be prepared to get on stage and practice your routine at rehearsals. Don’t forget to practice your turns in your fun fashion shoes. Make sure you do research on your specific system and see what girls in the past have done, as each one has different values.

We hope you found this post helpful, and we’ll see you in the next one!