The Bumble Bee Nose: Guide to Boutique Shopping ~For Beginners!

One of my favorite things about summer is watching my young daughters gather wildflowers in Airy Romantic Sun Dresses. They twirl, they giggle, they're completely care-free. It's so nice to see them doing something together peacefully that doesn't result in screeching, taunts, and hair pulling.

So of course, I'm always in search of beautiful but affordable outfits for not just warm weather but for Back to School as well. We've been through a ton of Gymboree, Oodles of Zoodles, Handfuls of Hannah and while the quality is fair enough, sometimes it's just not unique or simplistic enough to justify the price. After a few chocolate sundaes without instantaneous spot defense... you are left with nothing but a photograph and a memory or two. So, as an effort to make the most of that I started exploring the world of Boutique Dresses, Outfits, and Accessories. Surprisingly enough there are indeed Designers Online who can make you something unforgettable that is just as gentle on the money card as it is on your eyes.

I have come to learn that price is sometimes an indication of higher quality materials but never an indication of quality design. There are things that you really must take into consideration when making a purchase for Handmade Clothing, Hairbows, Bags... you name it. Here are some things you should at least take a second to think about before you process your orders:

Are there any raw edges on the seams on the outfit, inside or out? Sewing in the edges of the fabric prevents fraying, and makes the item stronger and more durable. It also adds a presentable finished appearance to the item. It would also be appropriate to ask which stitch was used. Was it a ZigZag, Serged, Pinked?
Are there any Ribbons or Bows and have the edges been properly sealed?
Are there any Appliques and how have they been affixed? Were they machine stitched, hand stitched, Heat Sealed? Are there any edges left raw? If you message the designer and they reply telling you that it's been tacky glued or puff painted you probably want to look elsewhere hah! It's always good to know the specific details of all embellishments on your items in advance!
Find out about the buttons, ties, and fasteners. It's good to know how you are going to put this on your child or even yourself and make sure that it is suitable for your needs.
If you are buying a halter top or pillowcase dress that has ribbons for straps you should def. find out if the ribbon is stitched into place or if it is possible that your child can pull it out. These are a pain to get back in. My youngest once pulled one out and then carried it off to tie up our poor old cat in knots.
Is it lined or is it a single layer? If it's lined, what is it lined with? Some people are allergic to wool (Like Me) and it's good to make sure your dress won't make you itch!
Does it have a Maker/Brand Label? Some Designers have started adding their own label to the items they have produced.
You will want to find out if the fabric has been pre-treated/pre-washed to prevent bleeding. Also, if it is machine washable, hand washable, or requires dry cleaning.
It's always good to hang handmade items to dry if machine or hand washing is permitted, regardless of whether it would "Survive" a dryer. This will give your outfit a longer life, help to preserve it's colors, and gives you the opportunity to remove any spots or stains without accidentally baking them into the fabric forever.

If you are buying on ebay, where many reputable sellers have created cute store fronts you do have the advantage of reading feedback. In addition, you also have a great opportunity to email the seller to find out more about what you are interested in buying. Many times M2M or Made to Match Bows, Bloomers, Jewelry, Socks, Shoes, Bags or Custom Personalization are available as well if you just ask :)

Most Sellers are very personable and friendly people. They usually appreciate you taking the extra time to find out how they produce the adorable items in their stores because it's good for business and a happy customer is more likely to come back with friends!

I've fallen in love with some really cute shops, here are a few examples:

This Old Pillowcase