Pageant vocabulary and FAQs

This is everything I wish I had known when we first started out
The information on this page is not meant to replace any advice of a coach, but to serve as a guide to those just starting out.

Frequently asked pageant questions
Why is it necessary to send a deposit and why are they not refundable?
Pageant deposits are used for all of the pre-production preparation of a pageant. First off a venue needs to be secured. This requires a deposit and must be booked months in advance. Custom crowns need to be ordered and designed. This also requires at least a 50% down payment. Sashes, trophies, and other prizes are ordered. Emcees also require deposits. Production companies need to be paid in advance. All of the deposit is used toward these costs. When you send in a deposit for a pageant, the director forwards it on to one of these people almost immediately and it is gone. That is why deposits are non refundable.

I've watched Toddlers and Tiaras. Are child pageants like that?
The simple answer is NO!!! That is a television show, and while non scripted, is not reality. While, it is a competition, most pageant moms are kind and helpful to each other. The pageant community is really very much like a family. The kids even play together and cheer on their friends. Of course you will see the occasional overly competitive pageant mom, this is not the norm. And no, they don't eat Pixie Stix and drink Red Bull all day.

I know how to use photoshop. Can I just borrow a glitz photo I found online and put my child's face on it?
No! Not only will you not get a good scoring photo, but it is extremely unethical. People invest a lot of time and money for pageant photos. Putting your child's face on another child's photo is basically stealing.

When I watch the teens and miss compete, natural and glitz look the same. What am I missing?
As the girls get older the difference between natural and glitz does diminish. This is due partially to the fact that these girls usually wear makeup everyday and that many are now able to purchase a dress from a store or model a custom gown. Also, by this age, even in glitz, the modeling has become more poised and elegant and the girls are good at it. However, there are subtle differences.

How do you store all the pageant clothing?
This is personal preference. Some people like to keep outfits in garment bags. Some keep each outfit and accessories in separate rubbermaid containers. Others hang their outfits in their closet with their regular clothes, while others have a completely separate rack. It's all about finding the organization that works for you. Another tip is that you want to keep your pageant wardrobe fresh looking, so you may wnt to avoid everyday use.

What color is best for my child?
This is easy. Go to the fabric store with your child. Just take fabric in various colors and hold it up to her. It will become obvious which colors work and which colors do not work.

What's the difference between natural swimwear and glitz swimwer?
This is best answered with photos. Both can be custom or OTR. Again, check the rules for the pageant you are entering.

glitz swimwear

custom natural swimwear

glitz swimwear

natural swimwear

natural teen in a short dress

glitz perfection

pro am example

Christmas themewear

natural example

teen glitz

old school pro am

natural photogenic

print model

glitz photogenic

glitz OOC

natural gown

Doing pro am for OOC

cupcake skirt

pro am modeling

glitz photo

Southern style skirt

babydoll dress

teen glitz

Pageant vocabulary
This is everything I wish I had known when we first started out
The information on this page is not meant to replace any advice of a coach, but to serve as a guide to those just starting out.

ppw: this is short for paperwork. It is very important to read the ppw for every pageant you enter. In fact, read and reread. Make sure you understand the rules and expectations. Every pageant is different! A successful contestant is a prepared contestant.

OOC: This is outfit of choice. This literally means any outfit you choose. Swimwear, a costume, casualwear, or westernwear are all appropriate. Modeling should be appropriate for the outfit you choose. This may even be accompanied with elaborate props or custom music mixes.

wow wear: synonym for OOC

pro am: This was the forerunner to OOC. This was characterized by elaborate modeling routines including double and triple spins in which clothing tricks were usually performed and elaborate outfits were worn. This type of modeling takes a high degree of skill and balance. It may look like a "dance" due to it's technically advanced choreography.

themewear: sometimes pageants will have a theme. Themewear is simply an outfit and/or modeling routine that has the theme. It is similar to OOC.

OTR: This stands for "off the rack". This means going to the store and purchasing an outfit. Sometimes rules will even state OTR without any added embellishments, so be sure to read the rules carefully

natural: this means different things to each person. It is important to read and reread the pageant paperwork to check the rules. Usually it means little to no make up and a store bought dress, but not always. Natural ALWAYS means the contestant took care in her grooming and wardrobe choice.

glitz: of course this means big hair and sparkle, but it's so much more. Glitz consists of perfect hair and makeup, perfect attire, and perfect modeling technique. Most glitz pageants are looking for the total package contestant.

straight runway: this refers to the type of modeling seen on fashion runways and Miss America. You will not see any gymnastics moves or double spins. It's more of a walk and pose pattern.

beauty: many pageants will refer to the main event as "beauty". This is also known as formalwear.

beauty plus one: This means the the contestant's supreme score is calculated by adding their beauty score plus their one highest event

beauty plus two: This means the the contestant's supreme score is calculated by adding their beauty score plus their two highest events

replacement score: This means that there is an add-on optional event or events that can be used as a replacement score in case it is higher than an included event. For example, if the pageant includes casualwear in the main entry fee, but a contestant added on OOC, if the OOC has a higher score, it will replace the casualwear score. It is sort of like buying insurance in case an event doesn't go as planned.

flipper: this is a dental appliance used to give glitz pageant contestants a perfect smile

wiglet, fall, cascade, extensions: these are all different hair pieces that are used in glitz pageantry. They not only add hair, but protect the girls' real hair and make it easier to change hair styles between events. It is important that the child's hair piece match exactly to their natural hair. You will want to check with your hair and makeup artist about how to prepare the hairpiece prior to use.

natural photogenic: This is a natural photo that looks like your child. This means that the only retouching should be stray hair removal, shadow reduction, etc. This is standard for most professional photographers. Make-up (if any) should be minimal in all age groups. 8 1/2 x11 headshots work best.

glitz photogenic: These are generally highly retouched perfect looking headshots. They are often thought of as doll like, and I'll admit, they take some getting used to. 8 1/2 x11 headshots work best.

print model: This is generally a ¾ to full body photo such as you would see in a magazine. These are generally 8 1/2 x 11.

face dress: this a simple dress because you want the focus on the face not on the dress

babydoll dress: This is a type of dress worn by young contestants. It has a full non ruffled skirt (see photo) These can be natural or glitz

cupcake dress: This is the type of skirt worn by children typically 10 and under. It has a very ruffly full skirt. It is important that the dress is not too long and not too short.

southern style: This refers to the type of skirt on a glitz dress. It is similar to a cupcake, but it isn't ruffly.