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!

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.

This news is HUGE!

Quite a number of classic dress styles are being discontinued by one of our major suppliers (ok, this happens with every company from time to time - so what’s the huge news?) . . .

We have made arrangements with them to offer you the last of these dresses in production at a HUGE DISCOUNT!

This is definitely one of those one-time limited offers because once all the dresses they are making are committed - they’re gone - forever.

What does this mean - to you?

• Absolutely WONDERFUL Communion dresses and Flower Girl dresses are available at a fraction of the regular cost!  First quality - high quality dresses.
• Available FAST!

How long will they be available? Until they’re sold out.  That’s it.

Where do you find them?  Communion & Flower Girl Dress Sale

Can we guarantee they’ll be available? What we’re doing is working VERY closely with the company to keep availability (style/size/color) as up to date as humanly possible.  So if you see what you want offered - place that order right now.  Why?  Because you may be nabbing the last one (really!).  If somebody else beat you to it, we’ll let you know by email as soon as we find out.

Can we check ahead to see if it’s still available?  No. Why?  Because between the time you’re told “yes” and you get your order placed and we can process it - it could have been purchased by somebody else.  Just too risky (and you’ll be mad at us because you’ll say we promised).

So - get the order place right away and we’ll do the rest doing our best to get it for you. 

This one-time sale comes just at the right time for First Communion Dresses and Spring/Summer Flower Girl dresses. 

Happy shopping!  We’re looking forward to serving you!

Communion & Flower Girl Dresses Sale

Or - go to Perfect Dresses - select SALE!

We’ve long had an extensive Headpieces Dept in our Perfect Dresses Boutique - many styles to suit every face and hair style.

Many more new styles have just arrived!

If you want to see just what’s new, see the new First Communion Veils & Headpieces in our Newest Additions Dept (and everything else that’s brand new too).

And of course - they’re in their “regular” departments in Headpieces - sorted by design like Headbands, Tiaras, Wreaths, etc. to help you get started shopping.

And we have quite a number of lovely headpieces without veils.  When would you want one without a veil?  For the family party afterwards!  She won’t have to fuss with the veil behind her with family and friends all around congratulating her (and eating and playing too).

We are often asked - is it possible to get an IRISH First Communion style?

The answer - YES!

We hear requests for Irish First Communion dresses all year - but they’re not all that common or available.  We look high and low for dresses with shamrocks, specifically.

Guess what?  Not only do we have them — they’re also very economically priced!  In fact, you’ll find them in our Budget Sensitive Communion Dresses Department.

And yes, we have something for the boys too!  No, we don’t have boys’ suits covered in shamrocks — what we have are ties with shamrocks in our Boys Suits - Separates Department. Just a little shamrock to add Irish to his day.

And of course - we have Irish Christening gowns and suits for babies, too.

January is the season to shop for First Communion dresses!  We’re hearing from Moms, Godmothers and Grandmothers all day - every day - and through the night too!

One thing we’ve heard again and again - “Where do I start?”

We realize that we offer a LOT - far more than you’ll see anywhere else.  Perhaps the huge selection we offer can be daunting at first.  Let us help!

First, talk with your child.  Get a good idea of what she is looking forward to wearing - and what she is not.  Is she a girly girl who will love  a frothy, full tulle skirt?  Or, is she more athletic and adverse to wearing a dress in the first place?  These can be clues to help you begin.

The ultra feminine lass will love just about everything we offer, but she will usually prefer the ballgown style.  ”Ballgown” is what we call a “silhouette” - the outline or general shape of the dress.  The variations on this silhouette is in the details and the possibilities are almost endless.  It is a full, gathered skirt attached to a waistline (which can be many shapes) near her actual waistline like the dresses you see at left.  They can be of many fabrics, have sleeves or not, have lace, embroidery, beading, ribbons . . . .

If she is a tomboy, an athlete or just isn’t all that comfortable in a dress, you’re going to want to steer clear of the full, gathered skirts altogether.  Look for a smoother style - one without gathering and “puffs” like the dresses shown at right - they have a natural waistline but the skirt is a semi-circle skirt without gathers at the waistline.

If she still balks at this, the A-line silhouette is probably your best choice.  The A-line also varies considerably by style with different details. This silhouette is shaped just like the capital letter A getting wider at the bottom.  This is also a VERY flattering style on most figures - especially our extra fluffy gals.

Again, the number of variations is almost unbelievable!  One A-line dress can be as different from the next as any other style.  It often has a raised (Empire) waistline but can have no waistline at all (Fit-N-Flare).  The dress at left is a classic Princess line Fit-n-Flare style with gorgeous, delicate beading and a jacket over the sleeveless dress - sure to please!  And remember - almost every dress we carry comes in white even if it is shown in a color as it is here.

All these dresses - and many, many more - are available in our Communion Dresses Department. 

Knowing which silhouette is most likely to please your little lady making her First Communion is a great first step in beginning to shop.

This is just the beginning of the tips we’re going to share with you on Communion Dress shopping . . . So keep watching. 

We look forward to your questions and comments, too ~

We have long been known for our fine quality dresses.  But we are also aware that not everybody is prepared to spend as much on every occasion that comes up.

Simply - some times price is an issue.  So, we have opend Budget-Sensitive Communion Dresses (in the Communion Dresses Dept) and Budget-Sensitive Flower Girl Dresses (in the Flower Girl dresses department)!

Several of the Flower Girl dress styles are ideal for First Communion - and Jr. Brides Maids too.

These are absolutely lovely dresses that are worth every penny of their very economical price!

And of course, we have had budget-sensitive suits for boys all along ~ and new ones are arriving right now! 

In Perfect Suits & Tuxedos for Boys Boutique you can find the boys’ formal wear ideal for Christening, Ring Bearer, Jr. Groomsman, First Communion or Bat Mitzvah!

Whether you want something less formal like a vested suit, a baby suit for a tiny one, a full tailored suit - or a tuxedo with cummerbund and tie color coordinated with a bridal party, you’ll find it all here!

Please, let us know your reaction to our Budget Sensitive Departments!

The question has been asked -

Is a bubble skirt dress appropriate as a First Communion Dress?

There’s really no one way to answer this.  We cannot say a definitive “Yes!” or “No”.  It all depends, I guess you could say.

First (always) check with your Parish’s Director or Coordinator to know their rules and guidelines.

Then, check out what others typically wear in your community.

If modern and trendy are very acceptable, then a bubble skirt likely WILL be appropriate for you if you choose one.

If the look is tradition, maybe not.

Modesty is always the goal, and dresses like SW-351 is quite modest with it’s little bolero jacket.  The very pretty lace overlay could make it a candidate for a First Communion dress (it definitely is a great Flower Girl dress).

It’s a matter of personal taste and preference.  Does it express your daughter’s personality and sense of style?  If so, it’s a terrific choice.

If not, there are SO MANY other choices available in our Communion Dresses Departments!