The subject of white dresses confuses many. 

It’s simple but relatively unknown that “whites” are not all the same!

We just had a call asking if a “white” flower girl dress will match the bride’s diamond white dress.  The answer?  It all depends.  What does it depend on?  The shade of the bride’s diamond white AND the shade of white of the flower girl dress she’s considering.  Is it bright white - or is it silk white, for instance?

We’ve discussed the subject of matching garments extensively here and throughout our websites.   You can find these discussions in the categories at right - they’re always here for your use.  It applies to white like any other color.

In short, to ‘match’ all garments must be ordered from the same manufacturer at the same time from the same dye lot. 

To coordinate, though, there’s a little more room for variation.

What shades of white are there?  We’ll name several but likely will miss something.  Why?  Because every company likes to come up with their own names for things.

• White a/k/a/ Bright/Brilliant White a/k/a Stark White
• Diamond White
• Candlelight
• Silk White  (or just silk fabric in white)
• Off-White
• Winter White
• Ivory
• Cream

These are all shades of “white” and tend to get deeper in shade as you decend the list.

The closer they are together on this list - the less likely they will look good together. 

When mixing bright whites and off-shades of white, the non-bright color will look dingy or even dirty against the bright white.  Very often it is the bride in the off-white shade; if a member of the wedding party is in bright white, that person is going to make the bride’s gown look dingy.

We recommend NEVER mixing bright whites with slight shades of off-white.  That includes candle light, silk white (silk is NEVER brilliant white and always looks dull against bright whites of other fibers), off-white, winter-white, etc.

Why?  Because the off-white shades are going to look dingy against the bright white.

Now, there may be some brides who WANT their maids to look dingy . . . but we won’t go there! 

The father away from each other, the better they can look together.  Combining very different shades looks “deliberate” and makes a fashion statement.  For instance?  Cream against bright white.  This can have a stunning effect just like chocolate on champagne (same color family but different shades).

Off-white shades look fabulous with the skin tones of many.  In fact, bright white can’t be worn well by a lot of people.

Coordinating which whites are best to use for your situation really does take a little effort and deliberation.  We recommend in a Wedding that it be the Bride who decides what shade is best on her — then everyone else’s garments are selected to compliment.  If she chooses bright white, then the wedding party should be in either bright white or color.  If the bride is in any shade of off-white, then the wedding party should be in off-whites - or color.

The US Angels line of Flower Girl dresses has been a classic for years.

They did it again by launching two wonderful new styles:

• US-572
• US-583

We think that you’ll agree both of these dresses are classics too!

And as you can see from the photo here - they’re available in the HOTTEST colors — including Blush, Champagne and Chocolate!

As always - let us know what you think!  Just leave a Comment for us.

First Communion - the beautiful, holy time when a child makes this sacrament.  It is truly wonderful time for for the entire family!

When is a good time to shop for a First Communion dress for Spring 2008? 

You can certainly start now.  Many, many dress styles are available in white.  You can get a jump on it, shop without feeling rushed and get it in plenty of time to check it off your list of things to do.  There’s a LOT to be said for the peace of mind knowing it is done! 

No matter what, though, be sure to schedule a fitting with your alterations specialist about 6 weeks before her wear date.  Who should you use?  We recommend somebody who does fabulous bridal alterations.

But the majority of the NEW styles will be arriving some time in December for the January shopping rush. 

Shopping in mid-January is the PRIME time to shop for First Communion dresses.  Unless her Communion date is really early (February or early March), this should allow plenty of time for the dress of your dreams to arrive, be altered to perfection and ready to wear.

Many manufacturers design and make dresses for First Communion on a seasonal basis.  This means that they make x # of them - and that’s it.  Once a size is gone - it’s gone.  When all the sizes are gone - the entire style is gone for the rest of the year.

Others make styles all year long and do their utmost to have enough in production to handle the surge in orders for First Communion season.  But once all those dresses are “spoken for” (as in - sold), then the wait gets much longer.  It can be 3-4 months to fulfill an order if it isn’t already in production.  Even companies with normally shorter turn-around take much longer during this busiest season of the year (remember - it’s Spring Wedding season too - lots of little Flower Girl dresses!).

What does that mean to you?

To get exactly what you want and in plenty of time - SHOP EARLY. 

If you come to the internet shopping late - possibly because you’ve exhausted all local resources and just can’t find anything you like or that fits (as in Plus sizes - very difficult to find) - please be a bit flexible.  Perhaps one size different  will be available in time - it’s easy for you to have it altered locally - or you may have to go with your 2nd or 3rd choice dress.

We have SO many styles to choose from that you’re sure to get a GORGEOUS dress!  But the earlier you shop, the more likely it will be that you’ll get your #1 choice in plenty of time to avoid stress.