Communion Dress for formal night

[Leahpie]

I have to ask for opinions on this one. My DD made her FIrst Communion last year and has beautiful dress that she has worn once.

She is asking if she can bring it to wear on the cruise. I'm thinking it looks way too much like a First Communion dress for that. On the other hand it cost a small fortune and she has worn it once.

A friend offered to alter it to make it look less like a communion dress, but DD wants no part of that.

We are on the 7 night Western on May 8th. Will she stick out like a sore thumb if I allow her to take it?

Thanks,

 

[Cruisin]

I think that if your daughter really wants to bring that dress and wear it on her cruise, that you should let her do it.

She will feel special in her beautiful dress and it really doesn't matter if it looks too much like a first communion dress or not.

As long as she feels special it does not matter what other people think.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I agree. Sometimes the best part about an outfit is how it makes us feel. I also applaud her for not wanting to change the dress but to always remember it in association with her special day.

 

[lotsofboys]

Being the mother of three boys, maybe my opinion doesn't count, but I don't think she will stick out any more than the little girls who dress up in princess costumes and look absolutely adorable. I might think to myself "I wonder if that was her first communion dress? How wonderful that she could wear it again"! Remember too, many people sailing won't even know what first communion is and won't think twice about the dress. Go for it

 

[Tera]

I say Go For It too!! I have two daughters and I wouldn't mind at all, especially since you paid enough for it, you'd like to get your monies worth. If you feel it's too much, you could have her wear a pink (or whatever color) sweater over it. I bet she'll look adorable whatever she does.

 

[WDWLVR]

I agree - if she wants to wear it let her and I'm sure she'll be beautiful in it. With so many little girls not wanting to dress up it is nice to see one who wants to look pretty.

Think of the memories you'll be making!

 

[clh2]

Sounds like it would be gorgeous in a photo too!

 

[two-foxes]

OK, so it'b been twenty and some change years since my first communion, but I got more than one wear out of my dress. My mom added a blue shash along my waist that tied in back and some blue flower details so I could wear it to my aunts wedding. It changes the dress slightly, but enough to make it look less like a first communion dress. No "true" alterations, but just a slight dash of color...she could choose! Maybe she'll go for that!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

>>Remember too, many people sailing won't even know what first communion is and won't think twice about the dress. Go for it <<

I'll agree with that one- I have no idea what one would look like so it would just be a pretty dress to me

-em

 

[Leahpie]

Whew, thanks for all the replies and support. I wasn't really opposed to it, but didn't know if it would be too much. I like the idea of adding some flowers or changing the sash. She might go for that as it wouldn't truly alter it.

I'm going to ask her what she thinks. I have an angel of a neighbor who can do just about any kind of alteration so I'm sure she could help me with this too.

Thanks again,

 

[mmouse37]

If she wears the veil it may look like a Communion dress, but if she just wears the dress....it would be fine!!!

MJ

 

[muntzfab4]

I was thinking the same thing! My DD also made her first communion last year and I think it would be wonderful if she would wear the dress again on formal night. My problem is that she does not want too! Girls!

 

[gottaluvEeyore]

Hi Leahpie! My daughter is wearing her first communion dress without the veil. Like you, I spent a lot of money on it and would like her to be able to wear it more than once before she outgrows it.

Teresa

 

[HooKooDooKu]

As long as you don't include something so out-of place like a veil, I don't think she'll stick out at all.

It's been decades since I had a First Communion, and I did it in a suit. It's also been a long time since I've even been to mass (our family attends a Prodestant Church at this time).

So what is there that even lets you know it's a Communion dress?

 

[Leahpie]

I guess by being a Catholic, I just assumed (OOPS) people would know what a Communion dress looks like. You could equate it to a dress that a flower girl might wear in a wedding. Usually white, full skirt with a chrinoline or other under type netting. Oftentimes with a wide sash, lace or ribbons etc. Maybe plain satin or sateen, or with some type of patterning on it.

I wouldn't let her wear the veil and if I asked her I don't think she would even want to wear it again as it was uncomfortable.

We decided to take off the wide sash and replace it with a colored thinner sash and add some blue lace to the front with maybe a couple of apliques or ribbon flowers to hold the lace in place. It should be very simple and add just enough that it doesn't look quite so "religious". DD originally wanted me to make it a "rainbow" of colors, but we managed to agree on just one-phew!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Thanks for the explanation I think the dress sounds very pretty and I hope your daughter loves wearing it


-em

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Because you were even asking the question of how appropriate a Communion Dress would be on a Cruise, I was afraid that perhaps there was some sort of insignia on the dress some where that might raise questions from people who don't know what it is (for example, the Cross emblems on a stole that you wear over your cloths for Conformation).

Given that there is nothing to identify it as a Communion Dress (other that the fact that it is very formal), then you fall under the dress code that "you can't be over dressed, only under dressed".

 

[mississaugamom]

What a great idea to alter the dress slightly and wear it again! We just went on the 2/28 Western and my DD7 got a new dress for formal night - a long white dress with a lace short-sleeve jacket!

Now I wish I'd thought to wear her first communion dress! I paid money for a second white dress while one hung in the closet after only one wearing!

I'm sure she will look lovely in her dress (even if you weren't adding the colour to it). Have a wonderful cruise!