There's nothing more important to a young girl in a beauty pageant than her dress. Literally, it can be the crowning moment in her life, and most pageants require some sort of formal gown ceremony. However, pageant dresses can be very pricey, and they are typically only worn once, so how can you save money?

A great way to find a pageant dress without breaking the bank is to look for secondhand dresses. Chances are, they've only been worn once and won't show any signs of use. Online auctions should be one of your first stops, as they have the greatest variety of dresses from all over the world.

When choosing a gown, be sure that the style reflects your personality and fits you well. Just because the dress looks good on another girl doesn't mean that you will fit into it the same way and vice versa. The aim of a pageant dress is to wear the one that will help you exude confidence and poise. A dress with uncomfortable straps, too low of a neckline, or itchy material should be avoided at all times.

Most pageant contestants will opt for a bright color, which is a great way to go. For fair-skinned girls, avoid pastels and dark colors like black and deep chocolate, as they can make you look pasty. Bright blues and reds of all shades are highly recommended for fairer skin. For ethnic or tanned skin tones, bright colors are great as well, with more variety here in the spectrum. You can wear black or purple just as easily, but you should avoid white and beige tones.