His First Communion
So your young son, grandson or Godson is making
his First Holy Communion. What a wonderful time!
He is finishing up Catechism and is preparing
to partake of the Sacrament.
Whether you are planning
a huge family affair or want to keep it small with only
the closest of friends and family, you will want this
to be a day to remember.
What do boys wear
for their First Communion these days? Well, the
answer varies widely by region and even by parish. We'll
discuss some of the most popular choices here. But
above all - ask. Ask your Catechism Director.
Ask other parents. You want him to fit in
with his group so the focus is on the day rather than
on the outfit.
Suits
We see the #1
choice is a dark Communion suit. Black and navy are frequent choices. Combined with a white shirt
- he can wear a dark or a bright tie but do keep it
conservative. Suits for
boys are available in all price ranges from Economy
to Moderate to Fine (the latter are usually wool or
wool blends). Single and double breasted suits are worn.
Vests are optional and are becoming popular again
but not in contrasting colors like they are for weddings..
In some areas an all-white
Communion suit is worn. This can also be very difficult
to find. White suits are usually only made by
a manufacturer once a year and once the fabric is gone - it's
gone for the year. So if you're looking for a white
suit -- shop VERY early and get it taken care of so
you won't be caught last minute in a panic.
Separates
Separates
are becoming quite popular. This usually means
a dark blazer (navy or black) with pants in white, tan
or grey. This look is a little less formal than the
traditional Communion suit. A white shirt and a conservative tie
would be the right finish. Again, white pans are often
not available for the same reason as white suits (above).
Be sure to shop early if his Catechism class is
requested to wear white pants. This approach means that
he will have separate pieces to wear again and again
after his First Communion ceremony.
Tuxedos
Tuxedos
are not that common for a First Communion these days
but our customers do still send pictures of their sons
in tuxedos some times.
If you want him to wear one, it will need to be white.
Be sure to check to see if a tuxedo is appropriate for
your area before purchasing one. A "day"
tuxedo - one without formal tails - would be the best
choice. Shawl collar dinner jacket style tuxedos are
very popular right now and should be available. And
oddly enough, a tuxedo is often less expensive to purchase
than it is to rent for a child.
When
to Shop
As
a general rule, mothers of girls tend to start shopping
early while parents of boys tend to wait until it's
almost too late. Perhaps that is because there
are so many varied styles for girls while boys aren't
at all concerned that somebody else will be wearing
their same suit? But be careful - every year we hear
from parents in a total frenzy because they waited until
only a few weeks before and suddenly realized they couldn't
find anything appropriate that is still available. Be prepared and shop
early - as early as the beginning of January for an
April or May Communion date.
Fit
As
with all things, fit is important to look good. He may
not be accustomed to dressing up that much so keep in
mind that his Communion suit should be more fitted than every day clothes. That does not mean
that they should be tight or pull, of course.
Most
children do not fit a standardized size exactly. Rest
assured that this is common. You will need to
select a size that fits his largest requirement. For
instance - if his waist requires a larger size than
the rest of him, you will have to purchase a Communion
suit big
enough to fit his waist (otherwise it won't go around
him there). If he is taller than his width, you
will have to purchase a suit that is long enough. Clothing
can usually be altered to be narrower or shorter but
not let out or lengthened.
And
that brings us to the often-overlooked option -- have
the garment altered to perfect the fit. Most don't think
about this for children's attire but it's an option
everyone should consider. If you have to purchase
a suit to fit his waistline like the example above,
have the rest of the suit altered to fit his chest,
shoulders and length properly. If you have to
purchase for length, again, have it taken in to fit
appropriately. Even an inexpensive suit can look
good if fitted correctly. Don't overlook this
option. And be sure to allow plenty of time - have your
suit, separates or tux available to be altered
several weeks before he is to wear it.
And
when you are getting your garments altered remember
that the level of skill of the seamstress or tailor
will directly affect your results. Pick a quality
professional and your boy should look great on his First
Communion day.
.
. . . and don't forget to get great pictures!
About the Author: Written by the Children's
Fashion Specialists at
The Perfect Pear Children’s Boutiques – special occasion clothing boutiques for
infants, children and juniors all available from one main website: www.theperfectpear.com.
Reprintable unchanged
with permission. Contact us by email.
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