Clothing Contests

Ready to Wear Clothing Contest

Ready‐to‐Wear Selections & Judging is where contestants purchase an outfit (outfit may be one garment or a combination of garments) and are judged on selection and appearance. Contestants also compete in a consumer judging activity.

Judging – Outfits and forms should be submitted by 4:00 pm on January 7, 2026, to the 4-H office.

Fashion Show & Awards – January 15th, 2026. Fashion Show will begin after appearance judging which will begin at 5:30 pm.

Rules:

1. Categories include grades 4-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.

2. Select a ready-made garment(s) suitable for any occasion. Complete data forms and submit forms on January 7. Copies of receipts should be attached to form. Please note part of your score will include your ability to be a wise consumer.

3. 4‐ H Ready‐To‐Wear Consumer Judging is a decision-making exercise based on a hypothetical buying situation. 4‐Hers will judge a class of Ready–To‐Wear garments (T-shirts, jeans, shorts, blouses, shirts, etc.). There will be 4 garments for contestants to evaluate, and a consumer judging test. Notes may be taken on sheets provided during the evaluation of garments.

A written situation will establish the basis for determining garment placing (1st‐4th). To place the class, 4‐Hers will rank garment choices from best to poorest for the situation.

Judging will include true/false test questions for each garment class. Test questions will be made based upon the following categories.

Consumerism

• Garment Care
• Appropriateness to Scenario
• Budget
• Labeling information: fiber content, care instructions, country of origin
• Cost of garment: fits situation

Garment Construction

• Closures: buttons, zippers, buttonholes
• Matching patterns/pieces, parts of design
• Areas of Weakness
• Appropriate seam finish
• Hems

Textile Science

• Fiber content
• Fabric Appropriateness
• Fabric Performance/Characteristics
• Fabric color combination/dye stability

Scorecard

• Appearance 50 points
• Data forms 50 points

(Knowledge exhibited, budgeting of money, reason for selection, label information and cost)

• Judging/Reasons 50 points

Total: 150 points

Please feel free to call the 4-H Office, 225-621-5799 if you have any questions.

Mardi Gras Shirt Design Contest

Express your Mardi Gras Mambo flare and create your own Mardi Gras shirt for the Annual Ascension 4-H Mardi Gras Shirt design contest. The contest will take place at the Mardi Gras Masquerade Fashion Show where you will learn to walk the runway and model your shirt! To participate in the Mardi Gras T-Shirt Design Contest you must wear your decorated Mardi Gras shirt to the Fashion Show on January 15th at 6:00 pm in the 4-H office. Please limit attendance to 2 guests.

The contest rules/guidelines are:

• A solid t-shirt of any color should be used by the 4-H member to create the shirt design.
• All items must be permanently attached (to where they won’t easily fall off) hot glue, etc.
• Be creative; Only one entry per person.
• Homemade
• Must be age-appropriate.
• If you are submitting the shirt, but cannot attend the fashion show, please make sure your shirt is clearly labeled on the back or inside with the member's name, grade, and 4-H Club name.

Dress Review Clothing Contest

Who?

All Ascension 4-H members may enter the Parish 4-H "Dress Review" Contest.

When?

Garments are to be brought to 4-H Office at Lamar Dixon on or before January 7 for judging of construction.

Appearance Judging - Contestants must model for a panel of judges on Thursday, January 15 at 5:30 pm at Lamar Dixon Expo Center.

Construction Judging – Contestants will leave the garments for construction judging on or before January 7. Construction judging will not take place during Mardi Gras Fashion Show.

Style Show and Awards Presentation - The 4-H Clothing Style Show will be held on January 15th, 2026, in the Ascension 4-H Office.

Fabric Content

Sew with Cotton – Garment must be made from 100% cotton fabric.

Other Clothing – Garment can be made from any fabric.

Categories

4th -5th Grade Divisions

Choose one category:

(1) Apron - any style

(2) Skirt – any style skirt (not required to make a top.)

(3) Pajama – basic elastic or drawstring waist bottoms. (Not required to make a top)

6th, 7th, 8th Grade Division

(1) Apron - any style

(2) Skirt – any style skirt (not required to make a top.)

(3) Complete Outfit. This may be any garment except sleepwear. Examples: Pants outfit, dress, jumper, skirt and blouse, etc.

Senior Division - Grades 9-12

Submit a complete outfit. This may be any garment except sleepwear. Examples: Pants outfit, dress, skirt and blouse, jumper and blouse, etc.

Note: Contestant must make all pieces in the outfit - no ready-made blouses, etc. allowed.

Rules

1. Each contestant may enter only one garment in the Dress Review Contest and one garment in the Other Clothing contest. Contestant must do all sewing/construction, etc. on the garment herself/himself.
2. The Parish Contest will be divided into categories, with winners being named in each category. Senior contestants must be in high school and be at least 14 years old on January 1, 2026.
3. Contestant will model garment with appropriate accessories. Contestant will be judged on the outfit (30 points), the fit of the garment on the 4-H’er (10 points), and construction details (60 points). Total = 100 points.
4. The garment fabric for the Sew-w-Cotton contest must be 100% cotton. The lining, underlining, interfacing, trimmings, tapes, lace, appliqués, etc. may be any compatible fabric that can be used with the garment fabric and can be cleaned in the same manner.
5. Each contestant must fill out the personal data sheet and turn it in with the garment on Wednesday, January 7 before 4:00 pm. Please bring the garment in on a hanger. Check the end of the fabric bolt for fabric information. Write down this information so you will have it to fill out the personal data sheet. This must be signed by the contestant.

Please feel free to call the 4-H Office if you have any questions. The telephone number is 225-621-5799.