Flower Girl Dresses and Measuring Correctly!

I think the most common mistake when mom's or others measure their child for a flower girl dress, they do not take the length of the child into account. Many times over, I will get a parent on the phone who insists their 8 year old child should be wearing "according to the size charts" a size 2. We look for three key measurements when we assist our customers in our store when we size a child.

*with a soft measuring tape!

1) We look at the measurement around the chest (the nipple line)
2) We measure around the natural waist line ( approx 1.5 inches above the belly button, where it may curve in a little).
3) We measure shoulder to floor, to get an idea of the length of the child.

It is critical that we don't add room with the tape, nor make it snug. We want the actual measurement of the child so, we know exactly what her body type is like.

At times, you will see tall and skinny children.. This is always the case when we have a parent like above that wants to put their child in such a small flower girl dress. They are only taking into account the chest/waist measurement and are forgetting about the length. But, if they don't listen they will find that the dress that they insist on ordering is also "way to short". Formal wear often needs alterations (just like it does for big people). Kids are not built alike so, it can be a challenge to find a flower girl dress right off the rack that fits!

We encourage our customers to call us, so we can help make sure they are sizing correctly prior to ordering...that way they get the best size for their child!

What dresses to pick out?

Someone recently asked me, how do you pick out your dresses or know what to buy? Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball that tells us what will sell really well each season. I have learned over time one of the best things to do, is not buy what I like....but buy what has sold the last season, but with a fresher look. Each part of the country and even state can set fashion trends in your area. So, over in Alabama ball gowns maybe in this year where as here in Orlando, the prints are still hot. It just depends on your area or market. I think the biggest thing we ever did wrong was buy what WE liked, that was quite foolish and in looking back the last few years - that was our biggest loss. No matter what, looking at fashion trends is always fun and going to shows to see the latest styles is always exciting. If you don't love what you do, why do it?