Pageant Tips from Miss Petite USA National Director
A special welcome & thank you to Jenna, the National Director for Miss Petite USA, who shares her unique perspective on being a petite pageant competitor. Jenna knows the pageant industry well, and what it takes to be a state, national AND international titleholder! She has captured the attention of judges time and time again, and has earned her titles as Miss Wisconsin United States, Miss Petite USA, and Miss Universal Petite.
On a personal note, this woman ROCKS. I am so excited to be a sponsor for the Miss Petite USA system whose Nationals in March 2021 will be Jenna’s first national pageant as their director. In our time Skyping and shooting together, I had a fun time hearing about Jenna’s views on the pageant industry, her passion for directing, and all the other entertaining and hilarious stories she has about the industry. I immediately knew her expertise needed to grace my blog.
Q: What have you learned most from pageantry?
I've learned how to be a better version of myself. I not only have become a more eloquent communicator, better organizer, and time manager, but I have learned how to be more confident in myself despite my height.
Q: What’s the most difficult part of competing in a pageant when you’re petite?
Alterations!! Just kidding! I think sometimes when you're lined up with women that may be from 6 inches to 1 foot taller than you, you start to compare yourself and feel like you may not fit the mold or be what the judges are looking for. I remember when I was first competing, that really bothered me, but as I matured and became proud of my height I strived to use standing out or not "fitting the mold" to my advantage!
Q: What do you need to alter most often?
Pretty much anything that is floor length! Gowns, pants, jumpsuits, you name it!
Q: Why do you believe it’s important for a pageant, like Miss Petite USA, for girls under 5”6” to exist?
Petite pageants give ladies who are "short" an opportunity to break any stigmas about what a "pageant queen" should be or look like. It also gives a very different platform for the ladies who do compete. They are able to become spokeswomen for other petite women. They are able to share their experiences being petite a petite woman. Encourage designers to include petite friendly designs in their lines. As well as, break barriers in the pageant and modeling industries!
Q: What styles of gowns do you prefer as a petite woman?
I personally like mermaid gowns. If altered correctly they really elongate the torso making women look taller. Getting professional alterations that are specific to your body is extremely important, especially when you are petite. If a mermaid gown on a petite woman is altered incorrectly it can cut her off in the wrong places making the style not very flattering. I also think gowns with a choker neck and deep v-necks are very flattering on petite women. Those styles also really elongate the torso making the dress look longer and the woman in it taller.
Q: Do you have any wardrobe hacks that would benefit petite women?
Cropped pants! Most brands that offer a "crop" style are the perfect full length for petite ladies, and no alterations! "Good American" offers a crop jean that is the perfect full length (and not to mention super comfortable)! Lululemon 25" leggings, although they look cropped in photos, also make for the perfect full length leggings for petite ladies!
Q: What brands do you love for petite women?
It's so great to see many more brands that are offering petite collections in addition to their regular lines! Some of my favorite petite lines include "Pretty Little Thing", "Boohoo", "Missguided". They all do a great job to include in their petite lines things that are fashion forward and on trend! I also love "Banana Republic" and "Express"' petite lines. They offer tons of great wardrobe staple pieces that are timeless!
Q: What’s an upside of being a petite woman?
For me the biggest upside is being able to empower other petite women. It's my goal that every petite woman knows that her height does not limit her. Whether it's breaking into the modeling or pageant industries, or advancing her career, I want her to know that she is limitless. As petite ladies, we know what it's like to get overlooked because of your height. We know what it's like to spend hundreds of dollars a year on alterations. We know what it's like to think you can't do something because you're "too short". I want other petite ladies to know there is a community of petite women all over their country who feel any struggle her height has given her, want to stand beside her, and want her to succeed.
Check out these dreamy captures of the National crown!
Check out who walks away with this beauty in Spring 2021
