Elegance — not just for evening wear
The house lights dim. The audience is hushed. The stage lights fade to their brightest as I prepare mentally to shine my brightest. I take a step forward into the spotlight as my heart rate accelerates, and, suddenly, I feel radiant. All eyes are on me as I feel my gown flowing on the ground, adding silkiness and glamour to every step I take. It was at this moment, during my evening-wear walk at the Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen Pageant at the end of February, that I realized: When you feel beautiful, the world is your stage.
Coastal Point
Veronica Townsend, left, models a prom gown from Candlelight Bridal in Millsboro. Right, Sydney Barch wears a vintage dress from Millsboro Bazaar.
I began doing pageants last year around this time, and Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen Pageant was actually the first I entered. I competed again this year in the same pageant, after securing the local titles of Teen Miss Millsboro and Miss Mid-Atlantic’s Outstanding Teen, and I placed first runner-up, Miss Congeniality and Academic Achievement runner-up.
Whether I am strutting gracefully during evening-wear, playing the piano in a dramatic gown during the talent portion or showing my intelligent yet personable side during the interview, pageants give me the opportunity to be fashionable, outgoing and elegant.
After the pageant a few weekends ago, it got me thinking: What if everyone felt as glamorous as I do when I’m up on that stage? Since I’m class president, I’m head of organizing my school’s junior-senior prom, and, as I and all my friends have been searching for our dream gowns, I have also thought of how absolutely one-of-a-kind you feel when you put on that perfect dress.
But you don’t have to be entered in a pageant or going to a prom to dress with elegance and class – you can do it any time during the daily grind. It doesn’t matter whether you are grocery shopping or going out to a fancy dinner. Elegance comes from within.
Coco Chanel, one of my absolute favorite fashion designers and fab inspirational women, once said, “Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.” I agree with the superb Chanel in that you can be elegant when you exude elegance. Knowing deep down that you are fabulous makes any ensemble shine.
I am a strong advocate of inexpensive clothing, which not only makes my parents thrilled but allows me to have fun and showcase my individuality in my clothing choices. In my last column, I mentioned how even thrift stores can have amazing, unique little finds.
My complete favorite type of fashion is vintage anything. I’m actually convinced that I’m from a different time period. I practically live in my grandmother’s multiple closets, since she is the best dresser I know, hands down.
Taking the cue from her, I am going vintage fab for my prom this year, wearing either a dress of hers or one of the gorgeous gowns I found in the Millsboro Bazaar, my favorite spot for anything and everything vintage and original.
Since prom is becoming so expensive, girls and boys alike are ecstatic when they find something eye-catching yet reasonably priced. Candlelight Bridal, also in Millsboro, has a great selection of completely affordable yet fabulous gowns for prom, dances, dates, weddings and more. I even was fortunate enough to be in a fashion show for Candlelight a few weekends ago, where I felt elegant in every dress I was able to flaunt.
The key when shopping for elegant wear, no matter the occasion, is that you should always stay true to yourself. Whatever makes you feel the most glam and has your favorite style is what you should go for.
Whether you feel inspired to enter a local pageant, to go out and find your prom gown, or just to find something that makes you feel red-carpet glam, elegance is within you just waiting for the chance to come forth.
Since I’m already on a Coco Chanel/vintage glamour roll, I’ll let her assist me in saying, “Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.”
So go take possession of your future and your style, and be the elegant person you have the capability to be. Always remember – fashion is what you make it to be, and dress to be you!
Veronica Townsend is a student at Indian River High School, where she is also junior-class president in 2009-2010. She was named Teen Miss Millsboro in 2009 and Miss Mid-Atlantic’s Outstanding Teen 2010. She aspires to earn a degree in fashion and business and to become a fashion designer/editor.
