Why shop on line?

According to Nielsen Online, shoppers say:

• 76% love the ability to shop 24 hours a day (and we’re right here for you!)

• 74% mention time savings as a key factor for choosing on line shopping.

Those numbers don’t “add up”, of course, because there are more than one wonderful reasons for shopping on line - and we have it all!

Imagine the frustration of dragging from store to store with child in tow looking for First Communion dresses, Communion suits or Flower Girl dresses!  It could be raining or snowing or you simply don’t have a lot of time . . . then you find the same thing in store after store, then have to try on . . . .

Tempers flare.  Everybody gets irritable.  Perhaps there’s a bit of whining –

Now imagine that you could be sitting together in the comfort of your own home with snacks!  You can get up and run to the restroom or answer the phone or anything else while you’re shopping.  You can even shop alone then email or save the ones you really like to show the child.

You then take measurements, select a size and place your order any time day or night - any day of the week - and voila!  You’re done!  It arrives to your home (or anywhere else you choose) and it’s off your “to do” list forever.

What could be better?

We get this question all the time - when will it arrive?

We go to great lengths to give you the best estimation.  When you click on a special order style, be sure to scroll down!  Why?  Because we give you all the information that we have right there at your finger tips - an actual approximate date.

Can it delivery sooner?  Yes, certainly.  Can we accept an order requesting/expecting it earlier?  No, we cannot.  Might it take a bit longer?  Yes, it can.  The later in the Spring season - the more likely that will be.

Many of our customers order the whole outfit - great!  This can result with many different availability dates.  For instance, a special order dress may take two months while the gloves, purse and headpiece may only take 2-3 weeks.  Will those items arrive sooner?

No.  We package and ship your entire order together.  That means that everything will have to be here before your order ships.

So, if you want/need some items sooner than others - just place separate orders.  That’s all there is to it!

Then the items that arrive sooner will ship right out and not wait for the other items being made for you.

Any questions?  Just ask!  Our skilled Customer Support team is available six days a week to assist you either by email or Live Support (which is instant!)

When does a problem arise about size selection?  We see very specific occasions when size is an issue after a garment has delivered.  They include:

• When the person ordering does not bother to measure the child and use the size charts we provide on line
• When the person ordering insists that the child/person wears a specific size regardless of what the size chart provided with that garment says
• When the person ordering insists that they want to “allow room to grow” and add on considerably to the actual measurements
• When the person ordering has measurements taken by a seamstress or tailer (believe it!  After all - they will only get paid to do alterations!)
• When the person ordering uses a size chart other than the one provided with the style they are ordering.

These are the most likely times that fit will be a genuine issue.

To avoid the problems - simply take accurate measurements and use the size chart with the garment you’re ordering — it’s that easy!

There’s really no mystery or secret to it.  We even provide a full page on “how to” in the Girls Dresses and The Perfect Pear Departments to help you.   It’s really only common sense:

• Measure over underwear only (and  not long johns, please!)
• Measure with a non-stretching tape measure (never use a string or something else)
• Take accurate but not too tight measurements
• Compare to the size chart shown with the style(s) you will be ordering
• Select the size that is large enough for all the wearer’s measurements

That’s it!

Do  you have another question or suggestion?  Please be sure to let us know using Comments.

We’re all concerned about the economy - in fact, more than concerned!  And gas prices are crippling our enthusiasm for just about anything.

What to do?

Shop on line!

We’re here for you.  Not only will you save time, shop in the comfort of your own home or office AND save considerable $$ on gas driving around . . . we have some terrific deals too!

Where?  Check out the Children’s Special Occasions Clothing Outlet Boutique!

What dresses can I have really FAST?

We get this question all the time.   So —

We created a department specific for this - called “Available Fast” in our Dresses & Gowns for Girls Boutique.

Our Customer Service staff tells us that they get this question all the time -

“What length will it be on my child?”

First, let’s talk about dress length terms.

SHORT or SHORTIE:  This is a short skirt length well above the knee.  In older girls it requires lady-like behavior and movement (especially sitting down) while in little ones it requires panty covers because things underneath will likely be exposed.  Teen, pre-teen and baby dresses frequently come in this length.

KNEE LENGTH:  At or just above or below the knee.  This is a little bit more formal and THE length for interview suits in natural pageants.

TEA LENGTH:  This length is intended to fall somewhere in mid-calf.  It can run a bit longer or shorter - it’s entirely a matter of personal preference.

BALLET LENGTH:  This term is not frequently used.  It is typically right around the top of the ankle.

WALTZ LENGTH:  This term is not frequently used.   It is typically right around the lower part of the ankle.

FLOOR LENGTH - FORMAL LENGTH:  While it is often called “floor length”, it is NOT intended to actually touch the floor; this can be a hazard!  Ideal floor length would be approximately 1″ above the actual floor when worn with shoes on.

How will THIS dress look on YOUR child?

There is only one way to know for sure - use the size chart and get a measuring tape out. 

Every manufacturer has a different sizing standard.  Every dress style runs just a tad differently of course, too.  But by using the size chart and measuring on your child, you should have a VERY good idea of where that dress in the size you need will fall on your child.

• If tea length is too long, it may be wearable as a formal length dress on your child.
• If tea length is too short, you might consider getting the formal length (if available).
• If formal length is too short, consider selecting a dress that offers the option of being made with additional length.  For instance - almost if not all dresses beginning with the prefix “VN” (except those in stock on clearance) can be made with additional length.

We hope that this helps you in selecting the right dress length for your child!

And remember - EVERY dress can be altered to be made smaller or shorter.  We ALWAYS recommend a highly qualified professional alterations specialist - preferably one whose specialty is bridal attire.  S/he will understand exactly how your dress can be altered to perfection.  For instance - a dress with a fancy hemline would be shortened from the waistline.

You’re shopping and need an answer fast — what do you do?

You click on our Live Chat icon!

When it’s green - we have Customer Service Reps available instantly to help you!  This is during normal business hours Monday - Friday PLUS Saturdays!

When it’s red, our offices are closed.  What do do then?

Then - and always - you can contact via email by clicking on the Contact link in the top navigation bar.  This will take your questions directly to our highly trained Customer Service staff.

What can you ask about?

You can ask information about the garments you see on line.  You can ask any questions about the ordering process.  You can ask just about anything!

How will they help you?  Our highly trained staff will help you find all the information you need to make a fully informed decision!

We strive to provide you with all the information necessary to make your choices easily. 

We get asked a lot - where does it ship from?

Our main location is in Michigan - USA.

Directly shipped items come from a lot of different places, of course. 

But usually this involves the REAL question “how soon will it arrive?” and “do I need expedited shipping?”

If a day or two or three will make the difference between having it in time or not it is always better to pick expedited shipping.

Better to get it earlier than after you need it!

We receive all sorts of questions along this line.

What we think that most are asking is “can I put it on right out of the box and wear it?”

Let’s talk about that for a moment.

Every garment arrives complete - absolutely.  But it has also been packed in a box and shipped across country - in fact, often across the world since we delivery almost everywhere. 

It’s entirely reasonable to expect that the garment(s) you receive will need to be steamed out or touched up.  There is absolutely NO way to guarantee delivery of a garment that doesn’t.

If you go to a bridal salon, you almost always pay considerably more.  Why?  Partly because they spend a lot of time steaming out your garment before you come to pick it up. Then you carry it ever so gently to avoid causing wrinkles.

Shopping on line and having things delivered is a bit different, of course.  The garment does have to be folded.  And then it ships - in conditions entirely out of everybody’s control.  It could be hot and steamy outside, for instance.

Your garments leave here after having been fully inspected.  They are gently and lovingly folded appropriately, placed into a box and sent to you with utmost care.

But yes, it is entirely possible that you will need to touch it up.  That’s normal for anything shipped and delivered.

I just [personally] received a garment from another company.  It was folded over a cardboard frame as if it has been steamed and pressed heavily onto it, then shrink wrapped and put into a cut-and-seal plastic bag for shipping.  I had to launder and iron it to get those folds out.

Our garments aren’t shipped in cut-and-seal bags, nor are they pressed onto cardboard (items from us, we’re saying - directly shipped items are all done differently but they are still handled well).  Our garments are hung out, fluffed out and gently folded into an appropriately sized HIGH grade box for shipment and delivery to you.

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.