'Toddlers & Tiaras' glitz dress breakdown

The "glitz" short homecoming dresses 2012 that contestants wear on TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras" can cost as much as a wedding gown and range from $400 to $10,000 depending on age, according to Annette Hill, director of Universal Royalty, one of the beauty pageants featured on the show.

But unlike a wedding dress, they are worn again and again.

"You want to wear your discount dave and johnny dresses as much as you possibly can, especially because you outgrow it," Hill tells Zap2it. "Then you sell them in a pageant community type of place to sell dresses that are very admired and needed."

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What makes glitz dresses so expensive are the custom design and all the tiny details intended to make them shine or glitter onstage.

"Glitz dresses are over the top with rhinestones and sequins and ruffles," Hill says. "Those types of flirt homecoming dresses cheap are time-consuming to make just like ballroom dancing dresses."

A standard competition wardrobe also includes an outfit of choice, a talent oufit (something movable for gymnastics or dancing) and a crowning outfit.

"Beauty pageants are like Hollywood," Hill says. "We have an outfit for every occasion, even at the end and you are relaxing waiting for crowning."

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