Bib optional…
There is almost nothing that new parents enjoy more than taking advantage of the opportunity to get their babies all dressed up in the cutest and most endearing outfits that they can find and bring them out in public for the entire world to gaze upon and coo at. So, when a formal family event comes up while their infant is still in his or her infancy, the parents must jump at the chance to get little John or Christina dressed to the nines and out into public view to allow the cooing to commence.
Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Christenings, Baptisms, and Cousin Jane’s first Holy Communion are good examples of the type of events that will provide and excuse to get the baby all dolled up in a pint-sized tuxedo or evening gown. No matter what finery the parents may have adorned their baby in previously, nothing will compare to the sight of their little man in a tux or their precious little lady in a gown.
Tuxedos for baby boys and young children are available from a number of sources as the formal kiddie clothiers of the world must surely have worked overtime to assure the availability of these items. Some rental shops may carry them, but in many cases these are a must-buy item. Tux styles range from vest & pant sets to full on dinner jacket combos and the ever so cute “short” tuxedo. Prices to buy these classy items start at about $60.00 for infants’ sizes and go to $90.00 for a young man’s size 8 to 14.
For the precocious little ladies we can find all manner of delightful dresses and gowns that are designed to look just like their big-girl counterparts. Particularly adorable are the floral sleeveless dresses and gowns favored by flower girls and debutants the world over. The prices for these can vary wildly based upon the size, the material, the designer and other factors, but parents should be prepared to pay at least $60.00 for a dress like this in an infant size.
If the cost for infantile formal wear sounds steep to you, it probably is. $60.00 or more is a lot to spend on a garment that anyone is only going to wear once. If dressing up your babies in this sort of garb is not your cup of tea, there’s certainly no one forcing you to do so and there are plenty of lower priced options that can make your babies look incredibly cute and generate their fair share of cooing and fluttering hearts from family and friends. If you have the means and the opportunity, however many parents will tell you that the expense of the formal wear that their baby only wore one time was well worth it just for the reactions of those around them and the photographs that will last forever.