Trish 2011 Competition prep #3- posing suits

This past weekend it really hit me that competition season is getting close! I ordered a suit from my designer, Elite Stagewear, on Sunday. She designed the blinged out red suit I wore for the IFPA Pro Show in Sacramento in July & I got tons of compliments on it, so I decided to work with her again this year.

That purchase made me think about the importance of buying a great suit. Many competitors, especially starting out (myself included), tend to wait until the last minute or try and skimp on their suits because they are costly. A good quality suit will cost anywhere from $250-$1800 depending on the designer and the level of competition you're entering.

Just behind perfect posing & a great body, the suit we wear in figure is one of the most important ingredients to a solid win. If your suit doesn't fit, your physique won't look as good as possible- in fact it can become a distraction instead of an enhancement. It's important to get the help of an experienced competitor or suit designer that will help match the right fit to your body type. Getting up on stage in a suit that's too big in the bottoms will make your butt look huge on stage! And having one that's too small will create that awful muffin top & make you look bloated and unconditioned! I've been to several competitions where if a girl just had a more flattering suit (whether it's the cut or color), she could have won or placed much higher. How disappointing would that be?

Whereas bodybuilding is a more cut & dry sport, the judges are looking for the total package in figure. The suit isn't nearly as important in bodybuilding as it is in figure because they are just looking at your symmetry & muscularity. But in figure the judges want it all- symmetry, muscularity, femininity, poise, & beauty. That's right- hair, makeup, suit bling, shoes- it all matters and creates the ideal package.

Where do you begin???

I suggest starting to think about your suit early on in the season. Give yourself plenty of time to get the perfect one, find a local seamstress that can help you with alterations if needed, and don't skimp on the bling! There are several places to look for suits to help you pick the right one. If you're trying to decide what color or cut, check out www.musculardevelopment.com. They have tons of photos on their site of figure competitors & bodybuilders. See which colors and designs catch your eye. Find a girl with a similar body type, look at what type of cut she has, and how her suit fits. If you're on a budget and have some time before your show, check out www.divaexchange.com to get a used suit. I typically sell my suits on this website (after I've used them for a season) and put that money towards my new one. But be careful on this site as many girls have had their suits altered. So, get their measurements and make sure you're close to the same size! Lastly, ask around where other competitors get their suits made, call & talk to the designer to make sure you get along with her. I called a designer last season & realized during our conversation that she was NOT for me...

Questions or comments? Feel free to email or post!