SASHES AND TIARAS....Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition: My Favorites, with "Nick Scores" + Video!

One of the Best Gowns: Miss Texas USA Alexandria Nugent in a gown designed by Venezuelan beauty pageant designer Gionni Straccia--Miss USA 29013 Preliminaries

This last Wednesday was the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition (Full Video at the end of this post, in case you missed it!). This is the pre-final contest in which a separate set of judges get to pick who the semi-finalists are for Sunday night's final Miss USA 2013 pageant...

The 51 contestants--representing all the 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia--competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Some of the evening gowns the contestants wore were the same as the ones I wrote about when I reviewed the "Miss USA Website Photos", but some were different (as expected). So, let's take a look at my "Nick Top Favorites" of the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition:

Miss Minnesota USA Danielle Hooper: One of THE BEST--if not the best, in Evening Gown. Michelle looked superb in this lipstick red crepe gown with a strapless peplum top section, fit-to-flare floor-length skirt and oversized jeweled neckline. She couldn't have been more perfect.  

Score: 9.9.

Miss Texas USA Alexandria Nugent: Alexandria just about stole the Evening Gown Competition on Wednesday night with this red with silver oversized paillettes gown designed by Venezuelan beauty pageant "go-to" fashion designer, the very talented Gionni Straccia. Straccia has designed gowns for Miss Venezuela's who have won Miss Universe and Miss World amongst others so, let's just say, he knows a thing or two about Pageant Gowns that Win! This gown is no exception; Alexandria looked like a Miss Venezuela in this. 

And for me, that gets her a 9.9 as well.

Miss Michigan USA Jaclyn Schultz: Jaclyn wore this green applique over nude gown with long sleeves and looked fabulous. I know that we have seen variations of this for a while (Hello Miss Croatia at Miss Universe 2012!) so some would argue it's a bit "pageant tired" but I disagree: It's all very good.  

Score: 9.87

Miss Mississippi USA Paromita Mitra: When she stepped onto the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary stage, I thought "Wow, she looks like a 'Miss Venezuela' contestant". Well, of course she does. The Bangladeshi-born Paromita wore a gold sequined and ivory crepe gown from Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. This was one of my favorites gowns of the Prelims--not just for the style of the dress--but the way Paromita WORKED IT.

Score: 9.79

Miss Louisiana USA Kristen Girault: Kristen also wore an ivory and gold sequined gown from Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. It was similar to Miss Mississippi USA's gown. But it was still striking and very impacting; very "Cleopatra in the Louisiana Bayou".  I'm not a huge fan of the thick beaded halter straps, maybe if they were thinner? 

Score: 9.65

Miss Kansas USA Staci Klinginsmith: Staci wore a midnight blue gown with a keyhole front and draped front and flared bottom section. I thought the gown was elegant and red carpet appropriate and I thought the embellished neckline was very "on-trend". Very well done Miss Kansas USA".  

Score: 9.62.

Miss Georgia USA Brittany Sharp: One of my favorites for the crown is this lovely woman, Brittany Sharp Miss Georgia USA. For the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, she wore a cap-sleeved ivory and silver sequined gown with a plunging neckline. I liked this gown and I liked this on her. It doesn't have any "red carpet"/runway couture fabulousness but somehow, it still got my attention. 

Score:  9.5.

Miss Idaho USA Marissa Wickland: I absolutely LOVE the color of Marissa's gown--a royal blue chiffon gown with ruched bust and silver sequined accents. It's beautiful. Is it very "Pageant Safe"? Maybe. But it looks DIVINE on her.

Score: 9.49

Miss Washington USA Cassandra Searles: Cassandra has got some piercing eyes--and dark hair to contrast them. This emerald green satin gown with ruched bust and over-skirt detail is quite dramatic and works for Miss Washington USA. I liked it in her Miss USA 2013 Website photos...and I like it even more here at the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition. 

Score: 9.47

 

Miss Massachusetts USA Sarah Kidd: Elegant, Ivory Princess, very "Gionni Straccia-Lite" (with the turquoise crystal accents at the high-hip and shoulders). Sarah looks very "Grecian Goddess". Therefore: I like it. 

Score: 9.45

Miss West Virginia USA Chlesea Welch: First off, this gown is a bit of a "Pageant Throw-Back". It is a little bit 2002 with it's fully applique main gown and the sunburst pleated chiffon "overskirt". But Chlesea makes it look fairly fresh. I would have prefered this beautiful woman to wear something a bitb more up-to-date but this creme-yellow gown is not that bad.

Score: 9.20.

Miss Vermont USA Sarah Westbrook: Sarah looks very pretty in this strapless gold-and-silver sequined applique bodice gown with attached sunburst pleated chiffon full skirt.She looks very "Pageant Perfect" in this. It's nothing fashion runway earth-shattering, but if you are going for a typical pageant look, this was a good one for Sarah and the fit is perfect.

Score: 9.00.



***Up Next: The Slit Queens, Evening Gown Color Trends and the Pageant Betty's of the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition



Missed the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition? Watch it in full below:

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2013 Evening Gown Website Photos, The SLIT Queens, Pageant Betty's & "Oh Dear's!"

Miss Tennessee USA 2013 Brenna Mader--Watch out Ladies, she might steal your HUSBAND!

In my last SASHES AND TIARAS post, I discussed my Faves from the Miss USA 2013 Website Evening Gown "Portraits" that were released last week prior to the upcoming Preliminaries (this Wednesday!) and Finals on June 16th. Now, as we know (if you are a Beauty Pageant aficionado--or a Missosologist, the term for a "Pageant Follower"), these evening gowns in the Miss USA 2013 Website Portraits may or may not be the actual gowns the contestants wear during the all-important Preliminary Competition as well as the Finals once they get chosen as a Semi-Finalist.

 Last year's Top Five at the Miss USA 2012 finals, in their evening gowns

A lot of times, the girls "bust out" with a new "Super Duper" gown that they have secretly held in the back of their closet just for that moment. But, at the same time, many will just wear the same gowns worn in these portraits, whether they should or not...Anyhow, without further ado, here is my Part Two Miss USA 2013 Evening Gown Website Photos Review--





Let's start with the Sex-a-Licious Slit Queens:

Miss Alabama USA 2013 Mary Margaret McCord--Mary Margaret is all things Sex-a-Licious in this super Va-Va-Voom of a gown. It's PLUNGING up there and PLUNGING down there. First off, she's got the super high side slit, and secondly, her "sisters" are all out on display for all of America to see. Not sure if this gown is just way too distracting for the judges to even take her seriously. Don't get me wrong, she looks beautiful, but it is certainly a LOT of look.

Miss Tennessee USA 2013 Brenna Mader--Brenna began this posting with this red hot gown with, yes, a slit up to there and very exposed top section with an open back. Once again, Miss Tennessee USA Brenna Mader, fills the "Slit Queen" requisite here but then takes it too a "Oh Girl!" moment with the rest of the gown. Like I said in the beginning, this is the girl who will steal your huzzzband ladies (in this dress) so watch out! On a good note: LOVE those gold strappy heels!

Miss Virginia USA 2013 Shannon McAnally--Shannon is a beautiful girl (like all the others of course!), and while she does look serene in this ivory gown with a slit/opening at the side, it's both the pose and wide thigh exposure that makes it look as if she's about to do something very, very naughty.

Miss Nevada USA 2013 Chelsea Caswell--Chelsea is in the "Slit Queen" category, naturally because of this black sequined gown with a high side slit. I actually like this gown; it's got Glamour, red carpet sparkle and fits her well. Not sure if I would have accessorized it with nude pumps (black strappy ones might have been better), and the Uber-platform is becoming very tired.

Miss California USA 2013 Mabelynn Capeluj--Mabelynn chose this strapless shirred chiffon gown with a beaded waistband and high side slit for her "Miss USA Evening Gown Portrait". She looks sweet enough but yet again, it's the "See my entire thigh and leg" pose and come-hither face tilt that takes her to a "Sex-a-Licious" moment. The big ol' red hoop earrings are a tad too "Cha-Cha", even for me (I Love a good "Cha-Cha"!). I don't actually dislike the dress, it is more the pose and styling that is the problem.

Miss Alaska USA 2013 Melissa McKinney--Three words: Go On Melissa. She's vibing "Cleopatra" in this ivory gown with center front slit, plunging front keyhole and gold and silver sequined neck-plate. I like this gown, but...I only wish the front keyhole wasn't so...deep. It didn't need to be. She's already got the front slit happening. But I know, when it comes to Pageant Gowns and these Pageant girls, too much is never enough. I may not agree with it, but what can I do.

Miss Oregon USA 2013 Gabrielle Neilan--Gabrielle looks pretty in this white with beaded torso dress with a side slit. It's very "Pageant 101" and frankly not very original; safe in fact, and something I could have seen at the Miss USA 1998" pageant. Yes, that's FIFTEEN years ago.

Miss Illinois USA 2013 Stacie Juris--Stacy wore this strapless red applique with nude backing gown with a high-lo silhouette. It reminded me A LOT of a NIKOLAKI custom gown I created for "Entertainment Tonight's" co-anchor (at the time she was with "Access Hollywood"), the GORGEOUS Nancy O'Dell, when she co-hosted the Miss Universe 2006 pageant with Carlos Ponce (see above). I like the way the gown fits on Stacie and the nude/red colors work well. This is another way of showing a SLIT...in fact it's a big ol' OPENING!

Miss New Hampshire USA 2013 Amber Faucher--Amber is my final "Slit Queen". I left her for last because she wore a slit gown but it wasn't HOOCHIE or too "Sex-a-Licious", in fact it was just right. The gown is very similar to Miss Oregon USA's but I just think this style works better on Amber. The fact that her "sister's" aren't, well, OUT THERE (like Miss Oregon's) just makes it look more elegant and less "I'm a former stripper". Just sayin'.



The Pageant Betty's:

Miss North Dakota USA 2013 Stephanie Erickson--Nothing wrong with this gown choice by Stephanie Erickson "Miss North Dakota USA", but it just looks a little dated. The top sequined section is pretty and looks expensive but the entire thing screams "Miss USA 1994" and not something more modern, reflecting the gowns one sees on the fashion runways of Milan, Paris or NY, or on the red carpet for that matter. It's very "Pageant Betty".

Miss Missouri USA 2013 Ellie Holtman--Ellie is STUNNING, and one of the tallest contestants in this year's pageant at 5'11" in height. This very "Pageant Betty" black with sequined top section dress does NOTHING for her. In my opinion, it actually ages her. She looks like a Mother-of-the-Bride. This is a gown someone's mom would pick up at their local department store's After 5/Gown section. I think Ellie can do better, I hope.

Miss New Mexico 2013 Kathleen Danzer--One shoulder: Check! Slit: Check! Red sequins: Check! This should have been super-good but the style doesn't seem very original and once again, went into "Pageant Betty" world very quickly. At least, Kathleen was wise enough not to give Pageant Betty big pouffy hair. I give her points for that.

Miss Kentucky USA 2013 Allie Leggett--I would have not expected anything less than this frothy pink mermaid-shaped concoction from a "Miss Kentucky USA". Remember this is the Land of the Kentucky Derby, colorful suits and big ol' hats! Although she does look like a Pageant Barbie (she's beyond "Pageant Betty"!), I'm kinda liking this, for just it's "I'm going to go all the way" chutzpah. Is it an "Oh Dear!" moment? Possibly, but an "Oh Dear!" that could work.



***STAY TUNED HERE for my Recap/Review of the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gowns later this week!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2013 Evening Gowns Website Photos, The Best, My Favorites!

Fab 101--Miss Michigan USA Jaclyn Schultz takes the "Best Gown" prize for me in this nude and green sequined applique gown

The Miss USA 2013 beauty pageant is happening as I type this blog. The Finals are one week away, on Sunday June 16th and being held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. As always, the Finals will be televised  LIVE on NBC.

Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether, Donald Trump and Miss Universe 2012,  Olivia Culpo at the crowning presentation of "Miss USA 2012", after Olivia Culpo (who was "Miss USA 2012") won the Miss Universe title last December

As you may know, I LOVE ME a Beauty pageant--and more importantly, beauty pageant gowns; this seems to be a popular subject, especially here on my NICKVERREOS.COM blog. The 51 contestants have been in Las Vegas for the past two weeks and recently, the Miss USA 2013 website photos were released, including the ever-important Evening Gown photos. So, naturally, it's time to review...First up, I want to discuss my favorites of the bunch...

Miss Michigan USA 2013 Jaclyn Schultz--LOVE this gown on Miss Michigan USA Jaclyn Schultz. She looks sexy...in fact UBER SEXY. And notice: not ONE SLIT or too-deep plunging neckline. I think she is right on trend with the nude under-gown with applique. Everything about this is right--from the hair to the nude pumps. I also noticed that it reminded me of Miss Croatia Universe 2012's evening gown at last year's Miss Universe 2012 pageant:

 Miss Croatia Universe 2012 Elizabeta Burg--Her gown was one of my FAVES from last year's Miss Universe 2012

Miss Minnesota USA 2013 Danielle Hooper--I think this is quite a stunning gown; a two-piece strapless bustier with attached peplum and fitted-to-flare floor length skirt, all in lipstick red. The star is the attached oversized jeweled neckline

Miss South Dakota 2013 Jessica Albers--This royal blue colored gown shines on Jessica, especially against her "Jessica Rabbit" red hair. The sequined bust is a great detail as well as the perfectly gathered chiffon midriff . This is a very good gown.

Miss Texas USA 2013 Alexandria Nugent--First off: there's no HOOCHIE slit so I'm happy. The gown is a little old school with it's off-the-shoulder style, but it looks expensive and well done, and it works for the beautiful Alexandria.

Miss Louisiana USA 2013 Kristen Girault--This gown was designed by Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. Kristen looks beautiful in this gown. LOVE the fit, silhouette and the gold and silver sequined details; a VERY GOOD GOWN. Felicitaciones Gionni!

Miss Mississippi USA 2013 Paromita Mitra--Miss Mississippi USA also wore a gown designed by Venezuela beauty pageant go-to pageant gown designer Gionni Straccia. It's very similar to Miss Louisiana USA's gown in that it is ivory and features gold and silver jeweled details/accents. I like the gown. I only wish Paromita's hair was just a bit less on "Pageant Steroid".

Miss North Carolina USA 2013 Ashley Mills--Ashley wore a white gown that was simple, "Pageant Right" and had all the details of a basic yet still quite stunning gown. The side slit is quite high and I will talk about the SLIT KRAZEE gowns in my next post, but this slit-gown gets my "Nick High Praise".

Miss Florida USA 2013 Michelle Aguirre--Here's another "Slit OK" gown, this time worn by Miss Florida USA. I like the simplicity and starkness of this black gown with long sleeves, v-neckline and center front slit. The black with gold buckle belt adds a 70's chic element to it; it's referential to the Halston era. For all these reasons, I like it.

Miss Washington USA 2013 Cassandra Searles--Cassandra wore this emerald green gown for her "Miss USA" website gown photo. The photo, pose and gown are all very regal. There's a lot of DRAMA and it works. I'm glad she chose to do simple when it came to her hair and makeup; otherwise, she would have been two minutes from a 1996 flashback. Well done Cassandra.

Miss Arizona USA 2013 Rachel Massie--I absolutely LOVE the back to this gown, worn by Rachel Massie "Miss Arizona USA". It's classic, elegant, and has a very perfect "see me from the back" silhouette.

Miss Maryland USA 2013 Kasey Staniszewski--Kasey's choice for her "Miss USA 2013" website evening gown portrait is a good one. I like the deep royal blue color and full gathered ball gown shape--with a slit no less! The high neck drop shoulder torso section made for a good balance, even if it was a HOT MINUTE from looking like a Figure Skating Costume.

Miss Pennsylvania USA 2013 Jessica Billings--First off, Jessica looks A LOT like Bravo's "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Camille Grammer, don't you think? Or is it just me? Besides that, let's discuss this gown: I like it. It's simple, classic. The fit is perfect and the Mermaid silhouette is on-trend for the red carpet. Also...me likey the violet color.



***UP NEXT: The SLIT HOOCHIE GIRLS of Miss USA 2013 Evening Gown Website Photos