First Communion is the most challenging occasion to dress for, for two reasons: the child has an opinion, and the date is set months in advance. You buy in February for a ceremony in May, and in three months, a nine-year-old child grows.
Here is how we advise parents who come into the store.
First of all: ask the parish
Some parishes give precise instructions, others allow complete freedom, and others still require everyone to wear a white tunic. If the tunic is mandatory, everything changes: the outfit will only be seen in the photos after Mass, and it is best to shift the budget to shoes and accessories.
This is the first phone call to make, even before looking at an outfit.
For girls
The white dress remains the most popular choice, but there are three variants, and they are worth knowing:
- The long dress, the most traditional. Elegant in photos, less practical at the lunch that follows.
- The calf-length or knee-length dress, increasingly popular: it is easier to move in and is the only one the girl will actually wear again for another occasion.
- The two-piece, skirt and top or bodice: it works well for tall girls, and the two pieces can be worn separately.
Regarding fabrics: tulle is dramatic but can be rough, and it is hot in May. Always check the undergarment, which should be cotton and not mesh. Mikado and pique are more comfortable and stand up on their own.
For boys
The classic suit consists of a jacket, trousers, shirt, and tie or bow tie. Two choices make the difference:
- The color. All-white is perfectly fine, but beige, sand, light grey, and blue are much more reusable. A blue suit after Communion can be worn to weddings, parties, and class photos; a white suit stays in the closet.
- The jacket. In May, it will be taken off after twenty minutes. If you get a matching vest, the boy will still look elegant even with his shirt sleeves rolled up.
Shoes
The item most often bought incorrectly. They should be bought at least two weeks in advance and worn around the house a few times, otherwise, after an hour, the ceremony becomes an ordeal. For girls, heels should be avoided under the age of ten and should not exceed two centimeters. For boys, a lace-up shoe or a soft leather loafer.
When to buy
Communion collections arrive in the store between January and February, and the best models in the middle sizes sell out by March. Those who buy in April have to choose from what is left.
The method we recommend: choose the style in February, get the size based on the child's expected height in May, and keep the garment at home with the possibility of a hem adjustment in the weeks leading up to the event. The measurements for every age are in the size guide.
How much to spend
There is no right amount, but there is a criterion: the more reusable the outfit is, the more sense it makes to invest in it. A long white dress is worn once; a blue suit or a knee-length dress can be worn ten times. For the same price, the latter gives you more value.
And if there are younger siblings who will attend the ceremony, consider matching outfits: the difference shows in group photos.
Where to look
You can find our ceremony selection divided by girls and boys, accessories included.
If you want an opinion before deciding, write to us on WhatsApp with the child's age and height and the date of the ceremony. If you are in the Agrigento area, come to Licata, at Corso Umberto 6: trying on the outfit remains the best way to avoid making a mistake.
