Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Wednesday's Fashion~~~First Holy Communion Dresses



When I was 8 I looked forward to my first Holy Communion. This is when a child receives Communion in the Catholic Church for the first time. I had gone to catechism classes and we were prepared. 

 There wasn't much fussed for Boys, but for the girls ...that was a different matter altogether! The dress and veil were very important, and (even though it shouldn't have been)  the best part for me was going to pick out my dress


As luck would have it ...I didn't. Mom picked it out and in turn I wasn't in love with it. ..not yet. 

I wanted a long dress....Mom chose short.
I wanted shiny satin material....Mom chose Lace.
I wanted pearls and rhinestones...Mom thought it was perfect just the way it was.

The one thing I did love was the little white purse that included a white pearl and crystal rosary and tiny mass book. This purse is exactly like the one I had.
            Image result for communion purse and rosary set
                                              Source


And of course the little crown and veil. This one looks a lot like that one I wore.
                                                  source


My Mother bought the generic one that the Church suggested we all wear. I didn't care, as long as it looked like a crown I was happy.


I remember walking to church in my dress, gloves and veil and feeling everything was perfect...I even changed my mind about the dress.
Here on Long Island First Holy Communions are a very very big deal. Catering halls are booked a year in advance and It is not uncommon for a family to go to more than one celebration in a weekend. DJs are hired and florists are already swamped before that big wedding push in June. It seems that it's all about the party and not enough attention goes to what the day is all about.


My own daughter had a simple, but beautiful dress of her choosing and I made her little silk flower bouquet. We celebrated with just immediate family at the house and we all had a good time.

I was curious to see if Communion fashions were any different in past decades and this is what I found.




1800's     This girl seemed older and it looks like she might have worn a corset of some sort...ouch

          source






                      1920's     she kind of looks like a 1920's flapper right?
                                   Image result for communion dress 1920
                                                         source






1940's   This little girl had it all. The long tea length dress and bible
  
              Image result for 1940 communion
                           source


                                                                   

1960's   Dresses were a bit shorter                                               Image result for 1960 communion
                                 source



    I dug out my own  dress
                                      


                                         My Communion Dress
                           


                                               lace on dress






 My Daughter's Dress   
                         

                    Detail  ~~~Looks like rain drops
                  

Looking at all the pictures of communion fashions...styles really haven't changed much. Attention to pretty details was key. Moms in the 1800's probably fussed over their daughter's dresses to make sure everything was perfect and Moms today do too. Little girls then most likely fantasized and looked forward to wearing the dress and veil as much as they do now. I don't think that will ever change.

                                                    I kind of like that.




11 comments:

  1. I kind of like that too! Loved the pictures and I found it all very interesting since I am of the Methodist faith.

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  2. Love that and your dress was SO cute!! The 1960's one was great too.

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    1. Thank you. I like the 40's one. I liked the length

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  3. No picture of your daughter in her dress?? And how come your mom didn't let you help choose your dress?

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    1. Hi Ginny, well I never asked her why, but I think it was because she had a picture in her mind of what she thought would be best . also she must have known that I would have wanted something outrageous! LOL. I asked my daughter if she would mind me posting a picture and she said "Please NOOOOOOO!" Ugh Teenagers!

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  4. Liked your dress and your daughters dress is a knock out....

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  5. how interesting and what pretty dresses

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  6. I remember when I was getting confirmed my mum had been in hospital sick for ages and I was staying with my grandparents and my pop took me to my confirmation classes they were held at night and it was cool going with him.........My Aunty Pat took me shopping for my dress I don't know why she did it instead of my nan but the dress was pretty it was knee lenght and I think mum still has it..........such good memories........

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  7. I like your dress. We left the Catholic church before any of my kids had their first communion there, but I did always like to see the kids go up for it. They were so cute.

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  8. Ahhh how sweet, I think I may have had a baptism dress. I love the lace on yours and the bling on your daughters is perfect too!!

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