Swimsuit Judging Criteria – What Judges Look For

While swimsuit competitions differ significantly, judges usually consider some of the following qualities:

first impressions
beauty of face and figure
well-proportioned body
good muscle tone
proper level of body fat
statement of physical fitness and health
poise, posture, and carriage
graceful walk and modeling
confidence
proper fit of the swimsuit
overall presentation
energy and charisma
Regardless of the individual format and judging emphasis of a given pageant’s swimsuit competition, there is no question about what it takes to win. Judging instructions may use vague terms like “pleasing proportions” – but judges award their highest scores to women who are in top physical condition: “the . . . contestant who gives you that quick positive picture when you see her coming toward you,” observes Jeanne Swanner Robertson, a renowned humorist and national pageant judge. “You don’t have time to say, ‘Triceps look good, biceps are doing okay.’ But the overall quick picture is the one that says, ‘This is a physically fit young woman.”’ In the swimsuit competition, a beautiful, healthy body in prime physical condition is a sure winner.

source: http://pageantclub.com/pageant-swimsuit-competition/what-judges-look-for-in-pageant-swimsuit-competition.html