Earlier we talked about our very specifically Irish First Communion dresses.

Today we want to mention our Irish Communion accessories - which our Irish customers are loving!

Yes, you can have a dress that is made of fabric completely embroidered in shamrocks (like  CR-D4195).

Many come to us asking for just touches of Irish motifs for their child’s First Communion day - and we have just the answer for this, too!  It’s ACCESSORIES.

Accessories are available with both the shamrock or the claddagh symbol.  You can select from:  

• ties for boys
• purses
• rosaries
• guest books
• Bibles

You will find them in our Communion Accessories Department .

You have probably noticed that we haven’t been posting as much news here lately.  Why is that?

Actually, it’s because there’s SO MUCH news about to happen that we’re swamped.  We actually haven’t had time to stop, take a breath and talk about it!

Here are some sneak peeks:

1. Would you like a custom painted portrait of your child?  Would you like it FREE?  It could happen!  Stay tuned and watch our newsletter for the announcement (if you don’t subscribe - better get on the list right away at http://www.theperfectpear.com/newsletter.html 
2. How about more sale styles? We’re working on another manufacturer to present their close-outs exclusively here too - just like the dresses you’ve gone wild about in our current Sale Dresses Department.  First quality at extreme discounts.  We’ve brokered a similar with another company to bring you more first-quality discount communion dresses and flower girl dresses!
3. Do you have a portrait or video of your child that’s absolutely adorable?  Would you like to win something FABULOUS just for letting us see it?

These are just a few of the things happening behinds the scenes here — so stay tuned!  And be sure that you subscribe to our Newsletter to receive the announcements when they happen!

One of everybody’s FAVORITE baby dresses has arrived  — in time for Easter!

This is WB-16594S - just one of a number of delightful little dresses that are perfect for your little one’s Easter Sunday!

We have all sorts of darling baby dresses that are perfect for Easter or any other very special day (and with a tiny little one, EVERY day is really special)!

See all our Baby Dresses

Do you have an Easter Parade (little ones in their Easter finest) in your area? If so, we’d LOVE to see the pictures!

That’s right - smack dab in the middle of the busiest season of the year . . . we’re launching a whole new collection!

It’s the Angels Collection (separate and in addition to the US Angels collection).  This new collection of dresses has started to arrive.  They’re stunning and unique.  Very different from everything else we offer.

More selection - more dresses to choose from!

Many of these are IDEAL First Communion dresses - especially if you’re looking for something very traditional and very modest.

Others are perfect for Flower Girl dresses - Damita dresses for a Quinceanera - and pageants!

Come and take a look at the new Angels dresses . . . . and keep watching because many more are on their way!

What should you expect?  Well, darling baby dresses for one thing - and more Communion headpieces too!

We get this question all the time.  What size was the model wearing?

The only real answer to that is — it doesn’t matter.

What can we possibly mean by that?

The only way to know how it will look in YOUR child is to use the measurements on the size chart.

A tea length dress can look like a floor length dress on a short model, while a floor length dress may look much shorter on a tall model.

That’s why we stress SO much that you MUST use the size charts to select a size.  It really is the only way to know.

I just finished reading part of a blog and had to go “oh ya!”  It said:

The road to hell is paved with sexy chicks.

That’s profound.

Why did I immediately think of Communion dresses?

Because over the years we’ve talked with so many Nuns and Priests and Communion Directors who told us endless stories of inappropriate dresses on little girls making their First Communion.  They tell of some who have shoulders bare, short skirts, tight dresses - basically the “pop diva gone bad” look.

How shocking!

First Communion is a holy time when a girl is making her sacrament with God!  But we’ve heard these stories from so many places and from such highly reputable people that we know they’re true.  Sad - unfortunate- the minority (hopefully) - but true.

First Communion dresses should be sweet and demure. This doesn’t mean it has to be all ruffles and frills!  But it should absolutely be MODEST in all ways.  It should properly cover the toros completely and be sufficiently long enough that, even if she is up on an elevated platform, she is in no danger of any sort of “reveal”.

That being said, there’s nearly an endless array of choices to pick from that ARE totally appropriate!  And we offer them by the hundreds. 

So - happy shopping!  Let’s just always make sure it’s appropriate for the day.

And with a longer view in mind, let’s teach our children how to respect themselves in public.  If they dress in a way that is tasteful and modest, they will be treated with far more respect.

Do all girls wear a veil for their First Communion?

Trends are changing.  Yet we estimate that probably 98-99% of all girls making their First Communion will still wear a veil.  All will wear something on their head or in their hair.

A veil is a covering, a form of modesty.  It also harkens back to the “little bride look”, of course.

But today’s Communion veils have come a LONG way from the frothy fountain of tulle enveloping the child.  A wide assortment of First Communion veil styles are now available.  Here are some of the basic styles:

• Tiara - the tiara is very much loved by most little girls.  It makes her feel like a princess!  Tiaras are made in scale to be appropriate for children.  The veil either hangs from the back or attaches with a separate comb.  The tiara looks good with just about any hair style from updo to short to long.
• Wreath - the wreath is an all-time classic and usually looks good on all children.  It encircles her head, usually with floral or leaf motifs but can be accented with pearls, crystals, etc.  The veil hangs from the back; it some times comes separately so it can be removed afterward yet she can continue to wear the headpiece.  Again - the wreath looks good on just about any hair style.
• Headband - this is the #1 most sought-after style by mothers and yet it is also the one that they are dissatisfied the most when they put it on their child.  The veil on a headband headpiece creates a lot of fullness around the face.  It is definitely the wrong style for a full, round face.  First ask yourself - does she usually wear a headband and look good in it?  Then if yes, would she look good with tulle about 4-6″ around face with the headband?  Some girls will look terrific, of course!  Good for medium to long hair lengths.
• Bun wrap.  This is a smaller circle than the wreath and is intended to encircle an updo at the top or crown of the head.  Do not think that a bun wrap would make a good wreath on a petite child  - they are much too small for that.   This can be very pretty with medium to long hair done up and is usually designed to keep the veil out of her face.
• Bows, Barrettes & Clips - these are intended to be worn either at the crown or nape of the neckline.  They look best with long hair that is pulled back - either the front pulled back to the crown or all of it pulled back to the nape of the neck.  These can be very pretty and stylish and are frequently the choice for those who don’t want the traditional “little bride” look.  Hair has to be long and thick enough to support the weight of the headpiece on a barrette clip.</p>

Are all headpieces white?  Almost always - with one exception . . . .

                  . . . . if she is wearing a family heirloom Communion dress, chances are very good that the dress is no longer bright white.  In that case, it is important NOT to put a bright white headpiece against it, or the dress will look terribly dingy!  Choose a diamond white or light ivory headpiece instead.  They aren’t common, but they are available if you shop early.

Shopping for a girl for First Communion is easy - she wears a white Communion dress and veil.  The variations on this theme are certainly endless, but that part is for sure.

But it’s not like that for boys making their First Communion.  Color comes into the picture.

First - be sure to ask your director what they request.  They may have certain criteria, yet again, they may not. 

Then  check to see what is common in your area.

Now we’ll cover the options:

• A classic tailored suit.  We see the most in navy or black, but medium to dark grey is certainly used as well.  Brown is now available, too.  This is worn with a white dress shirt and long, conservative tie.  The tie may be plain colored or with a moderate pattern and can match or be contrasting.  Dark dress shoes are worn.
• A white suit.  This is not as common today as it once was, but it is still the suit of choice in many locations - especially in warm climates and along the coast.  The white suit is worn with a white dress shirt and long white (plain) tie.  Shoes are likely to be white as well.
• A white tuxedo.  This is far less common today.  However, tuxedos are available in dinner jacket rather than tail styles, which would be preferred if a tuxedo is chosen.
• Dark blazer and pants.  This is becoming more and more popular these days.  A dark blazer - usually navy - is worn with dress pants.  The pants can be tan, grey or white.  This is worn with a white dress shirt and long tie that is usually a contrasting color such as red or yellow; it can be plain or with a small pattern.  Dark dress shoes are worn with this.

The Perfect Pear has all these choices at your finger tips in our Boys Suits & Tuxedos Boutique!

You will find tailored suits in three price categories - Economy, Moderate and Fine.  You will find single- and double-breasted styles.  You will also find blazers and pants, shirts in accessories - even shoes! 

And of course, we have quite a selection of boys tuxedos.

We hear this question all the time.  It’s a very legitimate question to ask!

We can only answer with what is true for our stores, of course - we cannot make any claims for any other companies.

Basically - the price will tell you the level of quality.

Absolutely EVERYTHING we carry is worth the price you pay for it.  But we have a lot of wonderful styles and in many different price ranges.

A $59 dress is going to be well worth $59.  However, it simply cannot be compared to a dress costing $120, $150, $210. 

A $120 or $150 dress will be made much nicer (usually better fabric, to start) but cannot be compared to a dress costing $210.

The same goes for suits and baby styles too.

Are there exceptions?  Absolutely!  Styles in our Clearance and Sale! departments are deeply discounted first-quality, premium styles!  Most will show you what the original price was so you have a good idea of what to expect.

And on the subject of many different price ranges - dresses in our new Budget Sensitive Departments (one each in First Communion dresses and Flower Girl dresses departments) are flying through here as fast as we can get them on order, boxed and shipped!