Mapping out competition success starts with discovering the perfect outfit for a youngster's particular personality.

Looking their best... Dressing for the occasion...
Expressing themselves... Having fun.

These are the fundamental goals of all good dressing. Children are no exception. To be successful, pageant, modeling, and talent competitors need to take extra care with their wardrobe choices. They know that first impressions are often the lasting ones. Here are two key topics of consideration that children�s apparel professionals and parents can use to help young performers gain a fashion advantage.

FUNCTION AND FIT: ON-STAGE COMFORT IS CRITICAL. If the outfit is too stiff or binds, such annoyances could filter through to facial features and body movements, inhibiting the overall performance. Two areas worth paying attention to are the correct size and the types of materials used. Children grow quickly, so try to get the child fitted for his or her stage outfit as close to the event as possible.
     Comfortable shoes are a must item, because they provide the foundation of expression and movement during the child's presentations and interviews.

THE INNER CHILD: SELF-EXPRESSION IS LIBERATING. Adults often tell each other, when noticing a new outfit, “That�s so you!” The same goes for kids. Finding their personal style is a matter of answering two key questions. The first is: “What is the appropriate outfit for this particular event/appearance/competition segment?” The second is: “If I were casting her or him in a film, what role does the child seem to naturally fit into and enjoy playing?”
     Paying attention up front to the child's opinion will avoid complaints and resistance later on. They often have an innate sense of themselves; let them express that individuality in their clothing choices, within the confines of what the event or situation will allow.
     Attending to these concerns ahead of time requires a total team effort, with a sense of give-and-take from adults and children alike. In its purest form, fashion is a mode of escape, a method of exercising the imagination, and a means of wearing your heart on your sleeve. Done right, children�s outfits become windows to their souls.