Clothing Rules

General Clothing Rules for ALL contestants:

* Body glitter or hair glitter is not allowed in any stage of competition.

* Spray tanning application will not be permitted during the duration of the competition, this includes early bird days. This will be cause for disqualification if done during the event.

* Contestants ages 0-12 years are not allowed to wear fake nail tips(hands or toes) during any phase of competition. You must be at least 13 years of age and competing in the Ideal Miss group, to wear artificial nails. This includes a French manicure. Polish for La Petites through age 12 should be clear or a very pale pastel. No nail polish is allowed on Baby Petites of any age. An infraction will be given as a warning for the first offense.

* Shoe heel requirements: Ages 0-9 no taller than 1.5” and ages 10-12 (OLMP) no taller than 2”. There is no heel regulation for ages 13 & up.

*Contestants ages 13 & up cannot have any outfits with the back going lower than their waist line.

*Sexy overdone clothing is not acceptable.

* Expensive designer clothing is not necessary.

* Failure to follow clothing guidelines will result in either an infraction or violation to be given.

* NO competition clothing with cut out or open sides.

* NO Midriffs are permitted to show in any outfit for all age groups.

* NO extremely low necklines in any phase of competition.

* NO disrobing or garment removal in any phase of competition.

* NO visual drawings on the body are allowed (i.e. tattoos) these must be covered!

* NO excessive or extremely large earrings on younger children on stage or in photos.

* NO extremely tight fitting gowns on older contestants.

*Shoes worn for Playtime/Team OLM should be tennis style shoes and must be white or light in color!!

* Wigs/falls/hairpieces - Fake hair is allowed for medical reasons. A note from a licensed physician is required.

Fake hair is allowed for talent/party presentations/events. No fake hair is allowed in party dress, sportswear, interview, pro-am competition or at any casual time while on the host hotel premises. This is a violation. These are allowed as costumes for both talent and parties.

* False teeth are only allowed for medical reasons. This is a normal growth process and braces and loss of teeth will not be counted against any delegate. Flippers (retainer based teeth to cover normal childhood tooth loss) are not allowed. This is a violation.

* Coaching - Baby Petites: Simple coaching from the parent/guardian on stage is allowed but must not be overheard by the audience/judges. Encouraging the baby petite to wave, smile or turn is acceptable but winks, blowing kisses and dancing are not. Coaching off stage by anyone will not be allowed in any division. Coaching from behind or beside the judges table is not allowed. You will be asked to stop immediately. All of the above will be considered an infraction for the first offense and will be quickly stopped. Failure to stop will cause delegate to receive a violation.

* Percentages - Personality, Interview/Personality, playtime/team OLM, sportswear and party dress. Interview is the tie breaker if needed, Beauty of face, personality and appearance are valued equally.

Specific Clothing Guidelines:

Party Dress (Contestants ages 0-12)/Evening Gown (Contestants ages 13 & over):

* Ages 0-12 will compete in Party Dress competition. The length of the dress should not be long. The acceptable length is any where from fingertip length to mid-calf. Remember we are not looking for "Miniature Adults!"

* Baby Petite-Our Little Miss Preteen age groups cannot appear in party dresses with the back lower than the contestants' shoulder blades...No exceptions. Ideal Miss-Universal Ms. Age groups dresses must not be below their waist line.

* Ages 13 & over will compete in Evening Gown competition. The length of the dress should be floor length. An example of an appropriate evening gown would be a prom dress or a dress worn to a formal Prom.

*Party Dress/Evening Gown should be age appropriate in style and adornments. No side midriff cutouts, indecent back exposure and no split skirts above the knees in Evening gown. There are no set rules for panty hose or socks for any age division.

* Ages 0-17 Years (BP-IM)...Strapless or one shoulder strapped dresses are not permitted and all straps must be at least a 1" minimum width. Halter-tops can be worn with 1" straps.

* Ages 18 & up (UG-UM) Strapless or one shoulder strapped dresses are not permitted. Your straps do not have to be a specified width, but remember to choose your dress with good taste. Halter-tops can be worn.

Sportswear/Casual Wear (Contestants All Ages):

* Sportswear for all ages must be an active or dressy outfit. No skirts, dresses, swimsuits, glittery costumes, rhinestones (glittery objects) or sequins will be allowed! This includes diamond or sparkly earrings/jewelry, hair adornment or buttons. Universal Ms. Contestants & Baby Petite escorts are allowed to wear an engagement/wedding ring only, no cocktail rings.

* Skorts can be worn; however they must resemble shorts in some way. They cannot simply wear a skirt with shorts or bloomers underneath. New fashion outfits do have short attached completely to over skirt and this will be acceptable; however bottoms must still not resemble a skirt totally.

*Contestants age 0-12 should wear something casual in style, for example a Capri set or a cute walking shorts outfit, pant outfits can also be worn at this age.

*Contestants ages 13 & over should wear a pant or Capri outfit. Most wear a matching pant and jacket outfit.

Close-up Appraisal (Contestants all Ages):

* Attire for Close-up Appraisal ages 0-6 should be a Sunday's Best type dress. Ages 7-12 can be a Sunday's Best dress or Business suit. Ages 13 & up should be Business suit attire. No slacks may be worn in any age division for close-up appraisal.

* Disrobing - If an article of clothing leaves your body intentionally (such as a jacket or hat being thrown), this is considered disrobing and is a violation.