Hive, I don’t think I have adequately conveyed how much I love Mini Mink, Mr. Mink’s niece and our flower girl. She is one of the sweetest, cutest, charming little girls I have ever met. I’m tempted to tell you a dozen stories about times she’s had us howling with laughter or delighted us with her thoughtfulness. She’s only four years old and I’m already imagining what an amazing person she is going to be.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Mink’s mother, sister, and I went shopping for a dress for Mama Mink to wear for the wedding. Sister Mink brought along her two children, who are both going to be part of the wedding party. The Minis were complete angels during the shopping trip, possibly due to the entertainment provided by the iPad. When we finished, with two outfits purchased for Mama Mink, we headed home. There was a bridal shop on the way and we decided to stop in for a quick visit to see if there were any flower girl dresses for Mini Mink to wear.
It’s prom season here, so the shop was full of teenagers looking at party dresses. A salesperson showed us to the flower girl dresses in the back of the store and I quickly picked out two that I thought would work with our colors. Mini Mink made a beeline for the jewelry as we headed for the dressing room and declared that she’d also like to wear earrings and a tiara. At four years old, she is already quite a little shopper.
We put the first dress on her and she clasped her hands over her heart in delight. It was adorable, but not the kind of dress I wanted for her.
Photo by Miss Mink
Mini Mink didn’t really like the dress after a few minutes and decided to slip it off…while we were in front of the huge mirrors along with the prom shoppers. That was an interesting moment.
The second dress was more like what I had imaged for Mini Mink. It was cream, had some pouf, and the cutest little ruffles on the cap sleeve and hem. When Mini Mink saw herself in the mirrors, she started dancing. The pictures I have of her were taken mid bops and twirls. The sight of her doing this with the teenagers trying to be sophisticated in their slinky dresses nearby was hilarious. By the way, what in the world has happened to prom dresses? High slits, plunging necklines, and almost no back coverage seemed to be the standard.
Photo by Miss Mink
Back to the dancing Mini Mink. The dress was a tad expensive for the materials (just over $150 for polyester), so I suggested that we keep looking to see if we could find something else. We got Mini Mink dressed and she suddenly burst into tears. I thought she was tired, but through her sobs she said, “I want to take it hooooome. I felt like a princess!” My heart almost broke in two. We explained that even if the dress was perfect, this was the kind of store where you can’t take things home right away. Poor thing. She was asleep as soon as she was in the car.
I made a second attempt at finding a dress for Mini Mink last weekend, when I headed to my favorite source for special occasion dresses, the stores run by the J. Crew headquarters in Lynchburg, VA. There were plenty of flower girl dresses at the store that day, but only one that was ivory and looked like it would fit Mini Mink. It was a sample dress and didn’t have a size, so I held it up against other dresses in Mini Mink’s size and was pretty sure it would fit. I decided that the price ($40 for a silk taffeta dress from the higher end “Collection” line that J. Crew makes) was worth the risk.
Once I got home, I added a sash using the grosgrain ribbon that I used on some of my DIY projects and sent some pictures to Mama Mink and Sister Mink.
Photo by Miss Mink
This was all coming together so easily! Too easily, it turns out. The dress is too big. Mink Mink liked it, but I think it was hard for her to love it because it didn’t fit properly.
Now, we have a decision to make. Do we take this dress to a seamstress to fix it or do we tuck it away for Mini Mink to grow into and continue searching for a dress? What would you do?
This reminded me of the Modern Family episode “Little Bo Beep”. It was in the current season, definitely worth watching just for the dress Lily (age 4) wears.
I totally agree with you about current prom dresses, what happened? I am so happy I am well beyond high school, the current fashions are a bit disturbing.
Your final dress with the blue ribbon is so cute. I hope she likes it. You can tell her that she can change the ribbon to what ever color she wants after the wedding (the blue is wicked cute) so she can keep wearing it. You can also change the flower on the shoulder.
I’d tuck it away and let her grow into it. The amount of money to adjust it might not be worth it. You seem like a lady who can get a good deal. There are a few more months left. I’d keep looking. And mini mink’s original dress was gorgeous too.
That’s so cute! It does look like it’d be pretty easy to take in. You could always find a tailor and just ask about how much it’d cost…
I hear you on the prom dresses. I noticed that too! Less and less material . I would say that you should take the dress into a seamstress and see how easy it would be take it in. If it will change the structure of the dress and make it really different, then you should maybe think about another dress.
I’m going with the crowd and saying it wouldn’t hurt to get an estimate. 
It’s such a cute little dress!
We are getting closer to Easter & First Communion time and there are always TONS of little girl dresses at this time of year. I just found a dress for each of my 4 year old flower girls at Macy’s (I had a $20 off coupon as well). I ended up paying $24 for each girls dress. i am taking off the current green sash and changing the color to match our fall wedding…. One new sash from David’s Bridal in a fall color will work for both girls ($15). Even without the coupon at $34 each and adding a new sash ($7.50 each girl) it is much cheaper than some of the things they sell in the bridal stores.
My flower girl dress was borrowed from a neighbor who found it at Burlington Coat factory for like $25 probably around Easter time. It has little mini pearls sewn onto the whole top, the bottom comes out in a tulle type material (since I borrowed it, I honestly have no idea what it’s made of) and it has a bunch of layers underneath so it’s poofy. Then the bottom has a matching cuff of pearls in the same pattern on the top. I’m probably not explaining it correctly but it was darling! I would say, keep looking if you’re not satisfied. That dress might not be worth the $$ to alter it if you can find something you might like better for cheaper. Plus the good thing is, she can grow into it and it’ll be awesome for a different event if you choose not to use it.
That dress is so cute! I vote for taking it in, mostly because your wedding party will look like a JCrew catalog which I think is awesome
I totally agree with your Prom Dresses comment…. why do all the dresses have to be so inappropriate? They’re HIGH SCHOOLERS, right?? Haha, I never wore stuff like that to my Prom! We had spaghetti strap, full coverage, A-Line, slightly poofy dresses.
About the dress —- check how much to get it taken in….. hopefully it’s not too bad!!
I liked khockin’s comment, and waiting for the post Easter sales to see if you can find another dress still leaves you plenty of time to adjust the J Crew one as your back-up plan. The dress you bought is very pretty and looks like it would be fairly easy to take in on the sides.
When I shop for my grandchildren I have their key measurements and a tape measure in my bag. I learned that after bringing her something she just loved…and it was too small. Good luck with what ever you decide.
Amazing deal, Miss M! And that teal sash is so lovely
I just bought my three flower girls their dresses yesterday! I got them at Burlington Coat Factory, they’re ivory, have a tulle under-layer so they have pouf, and are just adorable! Best yet, they were $25 each! Btw, I’ve been researching flower girl dresses constantly and there have been times when I’ve come across a dress made for a 7 year old that I’ve had to reconfirm that it wasn’t an adult’s dress! What is the world coming to?!
I love the dress that you found at J Crew! Its soooo pretty!
Try Macy’s. I found the PERFECT dress for my FG there for $36. I wasn’t listed with the flower girl dresses though, I guess it was supposed to be more of a Easter dress.
Oh my gosh what a sweet dress!! And I totally agree about the prom dresses… I told Mr. Coyote if we ever have a daughter she is going to hate me because I won’t let her wear any of those crazy dresses. 
Honestly? Its probably just easier to get the dress altered. That way you can cross the dress of you list of things to do. I really like the dress, and think it would compliment your bridesmaids dresses so well.
Srsly, J Crew needs to be paying you for all this great advertising. That dress with the ribbon is so perfect for a little girl.
Mrs. Mink, Charlottesville, Virginia Age and Occupation: 34, College Administrator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Craft Beer Consultant Engagement Date: November 26, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards About Me: I left a pre-war brownstone in Boston six years ago to live in a funky, Southern city where Thomas Jefferson, Dave Matthews, and urban chicken keepers enjoy equal social standing. I still love my Patriots and Red Sox, but have fallen in love with Virginia. I work in education and specialize in integrating technology into my work to improve the student experience. I’m a diehard blogger, animal lover, jamband follower, and DIYer. I paint to relax and have transferred by energy from home projects to wedding projects in recent months. When Mr. Mink and I started talking about marriage, we knew our wedding would be outdoors, that my golden retriever would be part of the day, and that the music would be fantastic. We’ve taken a few risks during our planning process and we’ve been enjoying the process immensely!
Latest Gallery Pics