First Communion Trends
for Girls
She has
taken her Catechism and has prepared for her First
Holy Communion. This is a big step in her
life and a memory you will cherish forever. She's
growing up!
Selecting
the right Communion dress and accessories is an exciting time. While it is definitely not
the most important part of the day (the spiritual rite
is by far more important), what she wears will help
her feel just that much more special and create memories
for a life time.
What
are the trends today and what should you consider when
shopping?
First,
be sure to talk with your Catechism Director or representative
from your Parish on their requirements for Communion
dresses. Some have none
but others are very specific. You will want to
follow their guidelines to the letter and you will want
her to feel that she fits in with her peers.
What
are some of the questions to ask?
- What
dress length is most common at their First Communion
ceremony - or what do they require?
Most prefer not to see 'shortie' dresses
any more and opt for tea length or formal length.
Some prefer all dresses to be one or the
other. Be sure to ask.
- Headpieces
- do they all wear Communion veils?
- Are
sleeves required? Some will say 'yes'
while sleeveless dresses are perfectly acceptable
for her First Communion
in other locations
- Accessories
- are gloves allowed? Sweaters, jackets,
capes?
Then
you have to ask yourself and others - what is the style
trend in your area? In all cases, modesty
is the key factor.
Many nuns have explained that rigid rules have
developed simply because common sense and good taste
had to be dictated. Sad but true - we've seen
it too. This is her First Holy Communion and modesty
should be a major consideration when selecting her dress.
The
Dress
Traditionally
and in many cultures yet today, the "little bride"
look is desirable for First Communion. . It is usually a full satin
gown with plenty of trimming and a frothy veil on her
head like the gown shown #SW-548
and the gown #VN-V48.
You'll find more in the Traditional
Communion Dresses Department.
But
the trend to day is away from this in many modern parishes.
Today we're seeing a desire for clean lines and simple
styles more in tea length than formal. Many feel
that this helps focus the emphasis on the child and
the meaning of the day. Styles more like this are included
in the Classic
Communion Dresses Department.
Sleeveless
is definitely popular in many locations - again, ask
before you assume that it is acceptable. Styles like
#AG-701
are very popular. You'll find these in the Modern
Communion Dresses Department.
Light
touches of beading are still very popular but it is
not as 'standard' as it once was. A fine example
of a dress like this would be style #VN-V459
.
More
modern styles will include lovely dresses with an entirely
different silhouette from the standard ballgown style
such as style #AG-406.
A-line and empire waist dresses are now very popular
- and they look terrific on plus-sized girls too. A
really slenderizing style is #VN-V474
with the 'V' neckline as well as the long, slimming
A-line skirt.
More
conservative locations requesting sleeves are looking
for something especially modest like #AG-801C
or #VN-V905.
A more modern style that is still very conservative
would be like #AG-719.
These
are just examples for illustration of course - there
are many choices in every category.
Accessories
Gloves
are a classic accessory often desired but frequently
discouraged for wearing during the ceremony.
While
sweaters or jackets are usually fine, capes are often
discouraged. The whole reasoning behind this is
simple - they cause children to fidget. They don't
need to be distracted from the purpose of the day with
accessories that cause them to fuss. Simplicity makes
the day go better.
If
you have your heart set on accessories remember that
she can wear anything at all before and after the First
Communion ceremony
and at your family gathering afterward!
When
to Shop
It
is very important to shop early so you have the widest
possible selection. We get panicky calls and emails
in March-April from families who did not start early
enough and found that nothing was left when they started
shopping. Don't let it happen to you!
Start
shopping in early January for a March - May Communion
date. Shop for her headpiece at the same time - once
they are out of stock, they won't be available again
this year. This will allow you time to think things
through and order any style you want - even with extra
dress length if necessary/available and still have
time to make alterations before the day she wears it.
Her First Communion day will go so much better
if her dress and accessories are safely hanging in her
closet a few weeks early. Waiting until the last minute
ruins much of the joy with unneeded stress.
Preserving
the Memory
You will, of course, want gorgeous
photographs of her day. A good photographer's
portrait is something you will also cherish forever.
Consider having the portrait scheduled before
her Communion day - dresses and headpieces tend become
worn and often stained and you do not want to risk not
getting the perfect shot.
Another thing to consider is
something you will cherish beyond any other - a custom
painted portrait. Unlike portraits of the past
requiring grueling hours of sitting before an artist
with an easel, today's modern portrait artists can paint
from your photograph with amazing results! One of the
finest examples is this Portrait
Artist.
And
you will, of course, want to preserve her Communion
dress and
headpiece. This is best done by professionals.
Kits are available to preserve a girl's Communion
attire just like a bridal gown (and cost quite a bit
less, too). For more information, click
here.
We
wish you every happiness on your blessed event!
About the Author: Written by the Children's
Fashion Specialists at
The Perfect Pear Children’s Boutiques – special occasion clothing boutiques for
infants, children and juniors all available from one main website: www.theperfectpear.com.
Reprintable unchanged
with permission. Content and links subject to change
quickly due to style changes. Contact us by email.
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