Pageants
How to Choose a Pageant Gown: Silhouette, Color and Fit
The best pageant evening gown fits you perfectly, moves well as you walk and turn, and suits both your coloring and your pageant's rules. Choose the silhouette first, then a color that stands out under stage lights, and leave time for fittings so the gown is hemmed for your competition shoes. Start looking in the fall and choose your gown by early spring, before pageant season begins.
In This Guide
- 1What Makes a Winning Pageant Gown?
- 2Which Silhouette Should I Choose?
- 3What Color Pageant Gown Stands Out on Stage?
- 4How Much Sparkle Is Right?
- 5How Should a Pageant Gown Fit?
- 6Can I Get a Custom Pageant Gown?
- 7When Should I Shop for a Pageant Gown?
- 8Check Your Pageant's Rules
- 9Sherri Hill Gowns for the Pageant Stage
- 10Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Winning Pageant Gown?
Judges see the gown for only a few moments, from the stage and in photos. A winning gown does three things at once:
- It fits flawlessly. A gown that is tailored to you looks expensive from any distance; one that gaps, pulls or drags never does.
- It moves with you. You will walk a pattern, pause and turn. The gown has to flow, not fight you.
- It looks like you. The gown should frame you, not compete with you. If people remember the dress and not the person in it, it's the wrong dress.
Sherri Hill has dressed titleholders across Miss America, Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA, and was formerly the official gown sponsor of Miss America. Regan Hutsell was crowned Miss America 2027 in a wine-colored satin Sherri Hill column gown with a corset bodice. Read more on On the Pageant Stage.
Which Silhouette Should I Choose?
| Silhouette | On stage | Think about |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted or column | Long, clean line; shows off a confident walk | Needs precise fit through the hips; check that you can walk stairs |
| Mermaid | Dramatic shape that flares at or below the knee | Practice your stride; the flare sets how long a step you can take |
| Ball gown | Instant presence and movement on a turn | Volume can overwhelm a small frame or a small stage |
| A-line | Flattering on most figures; easy to walk in | Choose a striking fabric or color so it doesn't read as plain |
See how each shape fits in the Size Guide.
What Color Pageant Gown Stands Out on Stage?
Stage lights wash out pale and muted colors and make saturated ones glow. Bold jewel tones, brights and metallics read well from the back of an auditorium; very pale shades need beading or shine to hold their own. Hold the color up to your face in natural light, and if you can, see it under bright light too. Choose the color that makes your skin look its best, then check that it won't match the stage backdrop.
How Much Sparkle Is Right?
Beading, stones and sequins catch stage light and photograph beautifully, which is why so many pageant gowns are embellished. The test is balance: a fully beaded gown works with a simple silhouette, and a dramatic silhouette works with cleaner fabric. Make sure the beading doesn't scratch or catch when you walk and turn.
How Should a Pageant Gown Fit?
- Measure your bust, waist and hips and use the Sherri Hill Size Guide. Choose the size that fits your largest measurement and have it tailored down.
- Have the hem set with the exact shoes you'll compete in, so the gown just clears the floor when you walk.
- Do your final fitting in the undergarments you'll wear on stage.
- Practice your walk, turns and stairs in the finished gown.
Can I Get a Custom Pageant Gown?
Made-to-measure Sherri Hill gowns are offered through a select few retailers. You can generally find them in the couture section of Find A Store. Contact the store to ask about options, timing and appointments.
When Should I Shop for a Pageant Gown?
Browse from October to December, and aim to choose your gown between January and March, before pageant season, which typically runs from April through August. That leaves time for fittings, alterations and practice. If your pageant falls at a different time of year, start four to six months ahead. See the Shopping Guide for the full calendar.
Check Your Pageant's Rules
Every pageant system sets its own rules. Read your system's guidelines before you shop, especially on length, slits, necklines and sheer fabric, and ask your director if anything is unclear.
Sherri Hill Gowns for the Pageant Stage
Most Sherri Hill pageant gowns are in the Couture collection. To try one on, find a retailer that carries couture with Find A Store. If the store doesn't have your color or size, the retailer can check whether it's available to order.
Style 67229
A strapless ballgown with a Queen Anne neckline, a corset bodice and bead embellishments. It comes in 21 colors, in sizes 000 through 14. See style 67229.
Style 46707
A fitted couture gown in liquid beading with a deep V neckline and a skirt slit, in periwinkle. See style 46707.
Style 46752
A beaded mermaid couture gown with a taffeta skirt, in sky. See style 46752.
Style 67165
A strapless gown beaded across the full surface, with detachable chiffon sleeves and a beaded choker, in five colorways. See style 67165.
Style 46729
A strapless satin couture ball gown with a drop waist and a tulle skirt, in aqua. See style 46729.
Style 67191
A fully beaded halter gown with layers of fringe through the skirt, in eight colorways. See style 67191.
Planning every phase of competition? See the pageant wardrobe guide.
Shop the Look
Your retailer can check whether a color or size is available to order.
Find A Store
Find a Sherri Hill Retailer
In the United States, Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color pageant gown is best?
The best color is the one that flatters your skin and stands out under stage lights. Bold jewel tones, brights and metallics usually read best from a distance; very pale colors need beading or shine to hold their own.
Should my pageant gown be fitted or a ball gown?
Either can win. Fitted and mermaid gowns show a confident walk and a clean line; ball gowns add presence and movement. Choose the silhouette that flatters you and that you can walk, turn and climb stairs in with ease.
How far in advance should I buy a pageant gown?
Four to six months before your pageant. For a spring or summer pageant, browse from October to December and choose your gown between January and March.
Where can I buy a Sherri Hill pageant gown?
From authorized retailers. Use the couture filter in Find A Store to find a retailer that carries Sherri Hill couture near you.
Can a pageant gown be altered?
Most pageant gowns are altered for a perfect fit, especially the hem and the bodice. Beaded gowns take extra hand work, so ask a seamstress experienced with beaded fabrics what is possible for your specific gown.
Has Sherri Hill been the official gown sponsor of Miss America?
Yes, Sherri Hill was formerly the official gown sponsor of Miss America. See On the Pageant Stage for the titleholders who have worn Sherri Hill.
