Spirit Jerseys!

These seem to be all the rage!

Now taking orders! If you are interested, please see the post in this group

Be YOU!

NCGTM encourages girls to be themselves! Be Unique! Be who YOU want to be! Make your own choices, your own decisions and don't follow the pack! Be the leader and lead the pack! Don't be afraid to think for yourself and stand up for things you feel passionate about! Change the world!
NCGTM is changing girls one crown at a time!
You will never influence the world by trying to be like it. — Sean McCabe
‪#‎bepink‬ ‪#‎bethepinkduck‬ ‪#‎thinkpink‬ ‪#‎beunique‬ ‪#‎beyou‬ ‪#‎beoriginal‬ ‪#‎behappy‬ ‪#‎ncgtm‬ ‪#‎sisterhood‬ ‪#‎bealeader‬ ‪#‎jointheprestige‬ ‪#‎changetheworld

Introducing New Titles at Nationals!

FOR DETAILS ON THESE NEW TITLES CLICK HERE

NCGTM Loves to reinvent and come up with new ways to award our girls!

Introducing 2 NEW TITLES!
NCJM (ages 0-13 years) and NCSM (ages 14+ years)
These are NOT double crowned. If you win the National title in your age group, or the National Ambassador title, you will bump out of winning one of these.
There will be ONE SCJM and ONE SCSM crowned.
NCJM and NCSM are NATIONAL LEVEL TITLES you carry for the year! Winners of these titles ARE allowed to compete in NCGTM in 2016-17 season if they choose to.

What Makes NCGTM Different & Unique?

At NCGTM, we pride ourselves on being the Canadian trailblazers in girls pageantry! We often find that many of the rules we make, new categories we come up with, ways of doing things,  have become the standard in Canadian pageantry for young girls!  While many things in pageants are standard across the board (like beauty wear), and we try to stick with a USA pageant standard in our system, yet we have put our own  "Canadian twist" on certain things, which have now been followed by new pageants growing in Canada.  Until last year, the director of NCGTM also ran Dreamboat Dolls, a glitz system. All of the new pageants in Canada were run more like DBD (supreme title system) than NCGTM, which is why NCGTM is so unique!

We are proud to set the bar high, and to have such a following is humbling!

99% of Canadian pageants are run on a supreme title system (divisional queens, supreme queens, grand supremes, ultimate grand supremes, etc...). Typically this style of crowning is only found in a  glitz system, but Canada has seemed to adopt more of a 'semi-natural/low glitz' approach to girls pageants. Lots of supreme titles, tall crowns (often themed), themed pageants,  allow glitz move routines, costumes, etc... 
NCGTM is a National Scholarship Natural Prestige System and the only one of it's kind in Canada!

What is the difference between Glitz, Semi-Natural & Scholarship Natural? Is USA different from Canada?

In Canada, 99% of the pageants have the girls compete "As far as you want to go with the glitz". Some girls will compete in a natural dress, natural hair, no makeup, etc.., while the girl next to her is in a cupcake dress and glitzy custom casual wear and ooc, but keeping her hair/makeup natural. Then the next girl could be in a full custom glitz dress, full fake hair, fake lashes, tons of makeup, spray tanned, etc...  Also you will see a wide range of modeling from girls doing just a basic runway walk to full choreographed and coached glitz routines. Dreamboat Dolls was a full glitz pageant at one point, but due to many new girls, it went more semi-glitz for the last couple years.

Semi-Glitz - She has fake hair, glitzy dress, but no makeup.

Semi-Natural - A teensey bit of makeup,  had routines, but all natural otherwise.

Full Glitz - Fake hair, fake tan, full routines, full glitz dress

Scholarship Natural - Polished but Natural

In the USA, you will generally find you enter a pageant and it is either 'glitz' or 'semi-natural' or a scholarship natural style pageant. If it is glitz, you better bring the glitz - because you are being scored on your clothes, hair, makeup, shoes, routines, etc.. etc...  Don't dare show up in just a Halloween costume for OOC for these pageants - you will be laughed off the stage! These girls wear custom pageant wear that can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars! Glitz shouldn't have any 'talking' involved. No introductions, interviews etc. Some glitz pageants do a fresh face portion, where there might be some kind of interview or on-stage question involved. These pageants don't have titles that you hold for a year. These are for fun to attend, win some crowns, hopefully some cash and bring them home for your collection. Typically the 'big' winners don't compete for a year in the system and then go back to crown the next year.

In a National Natural or Semi-Natural system in the USA the girls are very very polished, and to be honest, to a new pageant person, it looks a lot like glitz! Many years ago, when we were still new to pageants, I took my daughter to what was called a Natural pageant. It was a big National with girls across the USA competing. We went 'NATURAL' - and I mean really natural! She failed miserably, as these girls were so polished with fancy routines and custom outfits, spray tans and makeup I didn't consider all that natural - but for a supreme titled natural system, that is what 'natural' was!  Semi-Natural pageants don't typically have speaking involved (interviews, intro, etc..).

USA Natural Pageant

USA Natural Pageant

In Canada, for semi-natural, generally you are going to find  your pageants allow you to compete as you wish, no major rules.  One of the reasons for this is because directors don't want new girls to be scared off from entering! They don't want moms to think they have to go all toddlers and tiaras to win!
They are also always themed (some of the most popular have been Holidays, Valentines, Candyland, back to school, Paris, Country, Hollywood,  Tropical, etc...etc.. the list goes on and on!)
These pageants also run on the supreme title system I talked about earlier. They are fun  pageants to go to for a day or a weekend, you win a fun crown and maybe a sash and some other prizes and go home and put them up on your shelf to admire. The girls love to collect these themed crowns.
These pageants do not give out 'titles' that you hold for a year. Imagine being "Little Miss Dreamboat Dolls?" - doesn't sound quite as prestigious as being "National Canadian Little Miss" or "Miss Teen Canada" or "Miss America". That is why supreme titled systems are there - for fun, no commitment to a title and for girls with titles from prestige systems to have some pageant fun!
A Semi-Natural Pageant in Canada is also very laid back about wardrobe expectations and often we will see girls using Halloween costumes for OOC, wearing any type of dress, etc...
Due to a lower population of pageant families in Canada vs. the USA, rules on this are much more relaxed, as parents in Canada typically don't want to spend too much on theme wears. With every pageant themed, it means a new theme wear outfit, music and routine for each one, which can get costly for most families. Some Canadian pageants also allow face paint, wigs, etc... to be a character for OOC, which is generally not done in a USA pageant, as they don't really want the kids to do this.
These pageants are also generally a one day fun event, rarely more than that. Sometimes they are a fun weekend event as well, but again, no titles are being held afterwards. These are fun for the kids and families in Canada, and great because they are not falling under the same super serious glitz rules and people don't have to spend a fortune on National level glitz outfits!



A Scholarship Natural Pageant is a title holding pageant. These are pageants where you hold a title for a year, usually charity of some sort is involved.
These pageants are not themed and do not have the big 'glitz' style crowns. Crowns are smaller, but often more expensive, due to the materials they are made with and also made 'stronger' as they are used for appearances quite often. 
Scholarship Natural Pageants are basically 'polished natural'. Girls should still make an effort in their appearance, hair, wardrobe, etc... but these things are not always judged. It is the girl's 'overall appeal' that matters. Girls need good interview skills, a good introduction, a good poised beauty walk and also they will do other categories such as fun fashion, casual, tv commercial, speech, etc...
Sometimes girls are required to have a platform. Winning a title is an honor and shouldn't be taken lightly! As a titleholder, it is basically your job for the  year to make appearances for your title, represent the system well and promote the system. This is why most pageants will not allow their title holders to hold more than one title. Many systems understand girls have choices and love to do pageants, so they are more open these days to girls holding more than one State or Regional title, but if they win the National title, they are expected to honor their commitment to that system for the year. This is why it is fun that there are semi-natural systems out there for pageant girls (especially those younger girls age 18 and under who have pageants as more of a  hobby) to go in. These don't have titles, and they can go for a fun day, bring home a theme crown for their collection, but not affect their title holding status!

What is a national pageant?
A National pageant is when there are pageants across the country that lead up to one big one (Nationals) OR is such a big pageant that they have contestants/delegates from across the entire country. In the USA many of the big glitz pageants will be called a National, because girls from all the USA will attend. They don't necessarily have smaller pageants leading up to it.
National Scholarship Style pageants usually do have smaller pageants across the country to lead up, or offer appointed titles and have delegates from all over taking these and attending.
A National Scholarship style pageant also tends to be held over 3-4 days, or maybe longer.
These pageants also offer quite a bit of cash winnings or scholarship winnings.

What is a mini-national pageant?
This term is not used often, but I did use it for Dreamboat Dolls a few times, as I had the bulk of my contestants from BC, and then about 1/4 of them were from Alberta and maybe a couple others from Sask or even WA state. This was not a full National, but was a bigger pageant that was held over a weekend, and run similar to a big National glitz pageant. There was some cash given out, but maybe top prize was about $100-$200, nothing huge.

What is a Local or Regional Pageant?
A local or regional pageant is one that has the bulk of their contestants from one area. For instance if I ran a pageant in Vancouver and had 40 girls, and 35 were from BC and maybe 5 from Alberta, I would still consider this local or Regional. These are usually a one day type pageant. Sometimes they have a little mini weekend event.

So what makes NCGTM different in Canada?

NCGTM is a NATIONAL LEVEL Prestige Title holding system for girls ages 0-59 years.
We are the ONLY system in all of Canada that has a National Scholarship Title available for all ages. There are many types of National level Miss and Teen pageants out there, but NCGTM is the only one that allows those amazing younger girls to also win a title!

NCGTM is about the title, not about the crown (but don't worry -we do have amazing custom NCGTM crowns designed by our director!). We want girls who understand that the NCGTM crown is not part of your 'Crown Collection", but a prestigious title you have worked hard to earn and want to do something with!
This is a positive and exciting title to earn! You will have a National CANADIAN title! If you are older, this looks great on your resume or college applications!

We hold smaller Regional pageants across Canada from Jan-May, and then the girls come to Nationals in July. We have girls from Atlantic Canada to the Pacific Coast, and everywhere in between!

We are all about pink! We love pink, we started 'Pink theme wear' 5 years ago and it is still going strong!

We NEVER change our age groups. They will always be the same, and always be fair!
Baby Miss (0-23m), Toddler Miss (2-3), Tiny Miss (4-5), Petite Miss (6-7), Little Miss (8-9),  Young Miss (10-11),

Tween Miss (12-13), Jr. Teen Miss (14-16), Teen Miss (17-19), Miss (20-29), Ms (30-59)

Scholarship Money is awarded at the Regional and National levels!

There is NO conflict of interest in our pageants. We make every effort possible to ensure our judges do not know our contestants.

The director (Liz McKinnon) of NCGTM won a top ten pageant director in the world award from The Pageant Planet. She does not do anything with pageants but direct. There is no conflict of interest with her at all! She is not a hair and makeup artist, photographer, coach or anything else in the pageant industry BUT a director! No conflict of her knowing a contestant personally through being her photographer, coach, hair/mu artist in the past- no favouritism will happen at NCGTM!  Liz has no vested interest in any contestant competing!

Liz has had over 10 years in the Pageant industry, has attended pageants all over Canada and the USA as a pageant mom, and knows what Moms want! She brings her expertise to bring you the BEST experience ever!

NCGTM is an honest system! Scores are tabulated by someone who has no vested interest in the contestants.

Judges have no vested interest, nor does the Director. The winner is the winner - plain and simple!

NCGTM is offering an amazing new category at Nationals, which is Photo Shoot Model! For details on this see the blog post from yesterday!

NCGTM uses a full professional stage and lighting/sound system at Nationals!

NCGTM has an amazing 'Pink Carpet Awards Night".

Crowning at Nationals 2016 will be much different from what you are used to in the past, as Liz really wants to get away from a traditional crowning ceremony she has used for her past DBD or NCGTM pageants.

All girls receive a crown at regionals no matter their placement! We want all girls to go home feeling good about themselves! They also receive other prizes and gifts.

NCGTM gives away up to $12,000 Cash at Nationals!

Girls can compete in a wide variety of categories including fun fashion, casual, speech arts, tv commercial/spokesmodel, talent, photo shoot and more!

Tons of award opportunities!

Girls can earn a Sparkle Award! Also awards for ad sales, charity work,  appearance scrapbook, scholastic achievement and more!

Outgoing Royalty Receive Personalized Directors Chairs!

Royalty get to participate in the Joey Awards!

Friendship Bags at Regionals and Nationals!

NCGTM is holding Nationals as a fun family getaway at WEST EDMONTON MALL!

All delegates get a FREE OPENING NUMBER DRESS!

The BEST part of NCGTM is the friends and family you make! Our sisterhood is amazing! Girls develop amazing social skills, public speaking skills, and appreciation for doing good for charity without having to be rewarded and have so much fun!

JOIN THE PRESTIGE! REGISTER TODAY!

How to be a Great Pageant Parent!

At NCGTM, we pride ourselves in our amazing pageant Moms and Dads (and Grandparents, Aunts,  Uncles, Cousins, BFFs, etc....). We are truly a family friendly system, and love to have the participation of the entire family in the support of their pageant girl!

We have had some amazingly fun parties! At these parties we have often had Moms do a dance off and some Dads get involved too!

Last year at Nationals, Director Liz had a super fun surprise for the girls after playing the PJ Games -they all ended up at the Pool area and had sparklers! Problem was, poor Liz couldn't get the sparklers to light, and 3 dads jumped right in and helped get them going! This is the NCGTM spirit! All weekend, those same 3 dads were always asking if Liz needed a heavy box lifted, or any help.
At crowning, Liz actually awarded the 3 Dads with King crowns to thank them for saving the day with the sparklers!

Dads get King Crowns!

When Maddie won National Ambassador, her Dad joined her on stage for a hug! Proud Dad moment!

2014 Nationals Party - Moms and Dads Have a fun time!

Being a good Pageant Parent does NOT mean you have to join in the dance on stage, or help light sparklers -being a good Pageant Parent is SUPPORTING YOUR DAUGHTER!

How can I support my daughter?

• Register early or on time. A director loves nothing more than a parent who is on top of registration and doesn't beg 3 days after registration has closed to let their child in, even though you have known about the pageant for months.
• Pay your deposits and payments on time. Save the director from chasing you down. She/he shouldn't have to do this. Also pay attention to other deadlines for Ad pages, good luck pages, program photos, etc...
• Write down everything you have entered and also how much you owe and have paid. Save yourself having to email a busy director numerous times. She/he will appreciate this!
• Use google. Your director is not a travel agent, provider of phone numbers, provider of contacts, etc...  Before asking your director a question, think "Is this information I can find on my own?". Check your delegate information on the website or info package. Check google. Ask another pageant mom. NCGTM provides 2 chat groups on facebook - one that is open to all people who are registered or thinking of registering for an NCGTM pageant to talk, discuss, ask questions, etc... and also a private chat group ONLY for those coming to Nationals. You can talk to other parents in there as well.
• Organize your daughter's outfits/accessories for her in an easy fashion. If your daughter is older and capable of steaming her own outfits, surprise her and tell her to go for a swim with her friends and you will do it. Taking some of these little chores off a contestant and letting them have some downtime can be key to a contestant having a lower stressed time!
• Don't let your stress show! A stressed parent rubs off and makes for a stressed child! Running late? Elevator slow? Frustrated about something? Keep it inside!  Don't race your child by dragging them by one arm and screaming 'OMG we are late!'. Instead, if the child is small enough, put them on your hip and giggle and run and make it 'fun' to get there fast! For an older girl, just reassure her you will be there on time and don't let her stress! Smile, even if you don't feel like it at the time - keep things light and happy.
• Put accessories for outfits in zip lock baggies and label them as to what they are for. Poke a hole in the bag and put these around the hanger neck of each outfit.
• Have healthy snacks on standby! Things that won't make a mess. Grapes, carrot sticks, cheese cubes, crackers, etc... If your daughter is at a rehearsal, she will be hungry (and probably thirsty after!). Greet her with a snack bag and bottle of water or juice.
• Be supportive through the ENTIRE pageant process. From deciding to register, to picking out the dress, outfits, etc... right through the whole pageant weekend!
• Do not put pressure to win on your daughter! Go into the pageant with the attitude that you of course hope to win, but there will only be one winner in your age category. Go in to have a fun family weekend or mom/daughter weekend getaway and make fun memories. Winning is just a bonus.
• Don't trash talk other contestants with your daughter. I know it can be tempting to compare yourself to every single girl in your category and decide who you think you are better than, but it is just teaching  your daughter to talk badly about people. Especially remember how much a younger girl really takes in. It isn't healthy for a 6 yr old to think she did better than other girls because Mom says so. This also teaches girls to compare themselves to others, and not be their own independent person.
• Ask what you can do! If you see your daughter stressing, ask her what you can do to help. Be calm, don't get angry with her for stressing, don't tell her to calm down (they seem to hate that!), but just say 'What can I do for you? What will help you right now?"
• Don't over-rehearse! There are a couple of types of pageant girls. Some will never want to rehearse and just want to wing it on stage. It is ok to encourage them to maybe do a little run through. Some girls will OVER rehearse. They will practice until their toes are numb in their shoes, or practice their intros, etc... until they have no voice!  Don't let girls do this to themselves. Also, as a parent, don't force a child to rehearse over and over and over. This takes the fun out of it. I think one of the saddest things I have ever seen was a mom who kept pulling her daughter out of the pool every 10 mins to rehearse her intro and speech on the side of the pool deck, and if she didn't do it properly, she wouldn't let her daughter go back into the pool until she did! Same mother would separate her daughter from chatting to friends and be down the hall DRILLING her with practice. By the time this poor kid hit the stage, she was so stressed out and worried, that she completely blew it! She forgot everything and ran off crying.
• Teach your daughter to be positive and make friends! Girls need to build each other up and not tear them down! Let's teach our daughters to be happy for one another whether they win or lose!

Got more tips? Please leave them in the comments!!!

Another Reason to Register Early!

ONLY AT NCGTM!!! We can only take 30 girls for this, and it is 2/3 full right now! Last July we announced we were adding a super fun modeling photo shoot competition! Award winning pageant photographer Eve Dupree will be shooting this! Eve has been involved with NCGTM for 5 years now!

You arrive in any outfit you wish! Use your casual wear or fun fashion if you want! Eve will be shooting every girl in the exact same location and will take 10 photos of you. It is up to you to pose and work the camera!

Winners will be awarded at our Pink Carpet Awards Night!

This is another great reason to register early for Nationals - get your spot for this original, amazing and fun competition! #ncgtm #ncgtmphotos #evedupree #ncgtmgirlswearpink #sisterhood #jointheprestige

Meet Our Ambassador Maddie!

My name is Maddison and I am so honored to be your National Canadian Ambassador.
My journey with NCGTM has been amazing, from my first pageant back in the summer of 2014. Back then I would never think I would be where I am now.
After winning my provincial title it was two months of fundraising setting my goal of going to nationals.

While fundraising it gave me the opportunity to meet many people and share with others NCGTM. So many people did not know about it and we're very interested in what it is exactly. Over my fundraising with the support of my community, family, friends, and the staff and students at my school I was able to pay off a great portion of cost. During these few months of fundraising I was also able to do a few appearances at community fundraisers, as well as fairs.

The time came when it was time to go to nationals and I was very nervous. but being able to represent Nova Scotia all the way in British Columbia for my first time at nationals I was excited. With the company of my dad we flew to Calgary then straight to British Columbia. Not only was it my first time at nationals but also in British Columbia and being a traveler at heart it would make nationals that much better.

Nationals was so amazing words can not explain!

The support and help I got at nationals I am beyond thankful for. Traveling with my dad no matter how many times we practiced before hand the hot rollers just were to going to happen. But thanks to other moms from Atlantic they were able to help me and make sure I had those hot rollers in. And thanks to the amazing Casey Mac, my hair and makeup was done. One of the other National royalty moms was able to help do up the back of my dress and I was set to go.

Going through the different categories it was easier after getting the hang of it, every time I would get my hair and makeup touched up then go to line up.
Not only was onstage fun but also off. We were able to get together as one big group and take part in different activities. We did a photo/video scavenger that was amazing.
‪#‎teammegatron‬

Not only did we do activities at the hotel but the older girls were able to take a field trip downtown and also go to a hairspray musical(the talent was amazing)
After face timing my mom and sister back at home it was time for crowning.
I won a award for my scrapbook(thanks to my mom helped make it) and an academic award. During crowning they called up three dads and their daughters me and my dad being one, and they all got a king crown.

When it was time for them to go they asked me to stay on the stage. Liz gave a amazing speech and then announced that I would be National Canadian Ambassador. The whole time I was trying to hold in my tears, and there was no wiping off the smile on my face. My dad came up to congratulate me after being crowned and even he had a few tears.

As soon as I stepped off stage the tears of excitement came. I called my mom back at home who was watching the live stream and even she was crying. While we waited for the other groups getting awards my phone would not stop glowing from all the supportive messages I was getting back home from friends, family and my provincial royalty sisters. After when my age division(Jr. Teen) was called up I went up with everyone. I received personality, and spirit award.

When crowning was finished the new royalty went up where we all got our hair and makeup done with matching dresses to head out for a limo ride to our photo shoot!

My journey with NCGTM is just getting started, I continue to fundraise with my title for different charities close to me and that mean something to myself.
Such as, the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and local animal shelters.

I am so excited to be able to continue on with my platform; empowering girls about building self esteem and self confidence. Something I struggled with in the past but continue to build on.

I encourage everyone to try out NCGTM it will be an experience you will never forget!

Free Dresses For Nationals!

Did you hear our big news??

ALL NATIONAL CONTESTANTS WILL RECEIVE A FREE OPENING NUMBER DRESS!!!!

This is unheard of! Usually an opening number dress costs the contestants extra, but NCGTM is GIVING them to you as a registration gift!!!!

How exciting!!!

Register today for nationals! www.ncgpageant.com ‪#‎westedmontonmall‬ ‪#‎ncgtm‬ ‪#‎free‬ ‪#‎dress‬ ‪#‎surprise‬ ‪#‎amazing‬ ‪#‎sisterhood‬ ‪#‎jointheprestige

www.ncgpageant.com

Periscope!

Don't forget today is the day you can chat with Liz and ask all your questions LIVE!

Add @ncgpageant to your follow list on Periscope!

Pink Shirt Day!

NCGTM Girls Wear Pink! 

And soon will be Anti-Bullying Pink Shirt day! Last year we had so many amazing photos of you wearing pink with your sash and crowns on - This just popped into my email - so make sure you hashtag #pinkshirtpromise  #shaw as well as #ncgtm #ncgtmwearspink #thinkpink in all of your tweets, Instagram and facebook photos!  

http://www.shaw.ca/corporate/community/skip/pinkshirtday/?emid=em-2016-02-18-bp-L03

Has contest details - be sure to read them! Start posting now!

How to Find THE Dress for YOUNGER Girls!

I think the most common question I get, and usually every day (and usually multiple times in a day!), is 'Is this dress ok for NCGTM?'.

In Canada, all of the pageants except NCGTM seem to allow cupcake dresses in Natural (if I am wrong on that sorry - just from any paperwork I have noticed in Canadian pageants - which are all semi-natural-semi-glitz-full glitz).  NCGTM is true true solid natural - we don't allow the routines, the cupcake dresses, the hair pieces, makeup, eyelashes etc... and what many new people to NCGTM know as 'Natural' in Canada, is not as natural as we are! In some systems it is 'if it looks natural' (ie: the fake hair blends in ok) - but NCGTM is not if it 'looks', but if it 'is'!


So what dresses can be worn for beauty?
Answer is basically - anything BUT a custom glitz dress or cupcake style dress.

These are glitz dresses and not allowed:

All of the above styles are NOT allowed at NCGTM!

For NCGTM you can wear any dress you like, but please be sure it fits you properly, you have steamed out the crinkles and the color suits you. While we don't judge the actual dress itself, your appearance in the dress can have an overal affect on the judges and how you come across to them. 

I once had a fabulous contestant, amazing intro, great walk, but her dress looked like she had taken it out of storage and put it on. It was so wrinkled it was distracting. 

Color: Keep your dress simple. Don't go with big multicolored gowns. They distract from judges seeing YOU - instead they are staring at your dress! I recommend trying to go with a solid color, or if it is more than one color, it should be subtle and not in your face.

I also strongly suggest pastels, as they look fresh and natural. White, pink, blue, soft green, yellow, etc... look great in a natural pageant. Stay away from black unless you are in the miss category or older. 

Not a good dress for NCGTM! 

Too much going on - Judges are looking at your dress, not  you!

Also not a good dress - just too much going on to notice your face!

Baby Doll Style Dresses: I get asked if a baby doll is ok from moms of little ones ages 0-3 a lot and the answer is yes. But please watch the bling on it- is it a custom glitz babydoll or a bit more simple?

National Baby Miss Autumn in a babydoll style.

Past National Winner 2013 in Baby Doll Dress

This dress is too much for NCGTM!

This dress is too much for NCGTM!

This dress is OK for NCGTM!

This dress is OK for NCGTM!

This dress is OK for NCGTM.

On the note of Baby Doll dresses, please do not feel you need to go get one of these!

THE BEST BEST BEST type of dress you can put your daughter in is a Sunday or Easter style dress!  These are great for any age you feel still looks ok in one - some girls at age 10 can pull this off, while others are much too mature at that age. I would proably say these are good up to age 9, and then age 10 you would move onto the next style of dress.

Watch that it is not too long - just at the knee or just above is nice. White socks and shoes are a nice touch for younger girls!

Here are some good examples!

Current National Toddler Miss Kiellah

Current Tiny Miss Bella-Rose

Past Contestant Elle

One warning I have on dress buying, for any age, is to avoid buying the ones that ship in from China. You will often see these on ebay. Especially if you put in the words Pageant Dress as a search. 1000s of dresses come up super cheap - like 9.99 and up - and they do NOT fit well and often look nothing like the photo! They are made with cheap fabric, fall apart, fit badly, etc.... I have witnessed moms buying 5 of the $12.99 dresses in the hopes the next one is better, and by the time they have done that they have spent $65 and have nothing. You are better to spend $30-$60 on a good dress!

Don't be afraid to buy second hand! Remember, we have different judges everywhere! If you buy a dress from another NCGTM mom, no judge is going to say 'Hey that was Suzy's dress in 2012!'.

Try searching 'Easter Dress' when shopping online! Some brands I have known to be good are Rare Editions, Bonnie Jean, Perfectly Dressed, Bonnie Baby and Sears often has some too. Sometimes The Children's Place has good Easter dresses.

The most important thing is keep it simple, keep it fresh, keep it pretty, keep it unwrinkled and let judges focus on your child's face! 

Keep that in mind with hair accessories too! Don't distract judges with a massive flower or bow on their heads-  a simple bow or headband goes a long way!

Remember we have a great guide to clothing on our website:

http://www.ncgpageant.com/2016Categories.html

Happy Shopping!