The Elaborate Dresses

A small section of Duchess of Retama's Dress

Like I mentioned in my previous post, different Duchesses represent different products based on the city they are from. There are many strict rules that come with being a Duchess.  The most important rule that girls have to follow is the dress. Since this is a pageant that has been around since 1932, there are many traditions that are involved and expected from the girls. The dresses MUST be modest, no questions asked. The dresses must not have any low neck or back lines. They must have some sort of strap or sleeve. They must not have any trains or collars ( collars are exclusive for the reigning queen). Most importantly they MUST be the color of the product you are representing. The board members will give the Duchesses a swatch of colors that they are allowed to mix and match in their dresses, but they must only use the colors they are given. They are so strict that certain fabrics are not allowed in the competition. Speaking of fabrics, girls must make their own petticoats, since the dresses are ball gowns and must be as big as possible. No hoop petticoats are allowed, the Duchess will automatically be disqualified from judging if there is a petticoat present. Not being allowed to use hoops is the toughest part of the competition, since you NEED to poof up that dress. As if it wasn't hard enough, the petticoat must exactly match the color of your dress. No worries though, before the competition we are checked multiple times to see that we have everything in order :)