What to Wear to a Christening
Written by Artemis Clo
If you are wondering what to wear to a christening, think smart daytime with a little softness. It is a happy, family occasion, usually starting in a church and ending around a lunch table, so you want something polished enough for a service and easy enough for an afternoon of cake and cuddles.
What to wear to a christening: the basics
There is rarely a written dress code, but the unspoken one is "smart, respectful and cheerful". Think of what you'd wear to a nice Sunday lunch, then add a touch of polish. A few simple rules help:
- Leave white and ivory to the baby. The christening gown is the star, so most guests choose another colour.
- Cover your shoulders in church. Not always required, but it is courteous, and churches can be cool even in summer. A jacket or cardigan you can take off later solves it.
- Choose a sensible hemline. Knee-length or midi feels right when you sit in a pew and stand at the font.
- Go soft on colour. Pastels, florals, gentle prints and warm neutrals feel right; all black can look a little sombre.
A midi dress is the simplest answer. A pink midi shirt dress with a botanical hem print is ideal for spring, and a wrap V-neck midi dress with puff sleeves looks lovely in photos. Browse our dresses for more daytime shapes.
Hats, bags and finishing touches
Hats are no longer expected at most christenings, though a small one or a fascinator can be lovely at a formal family occasion. A neat handbag that fits a phone, a purse, tissues and a spare pair of tights is all you need in the pew. Keep jewellery simple: a pair of earrings, a fine chain, a watch. Bright lipstick is optional, but bear in mind you may be kissing a small, slightly sticky cheek.
Dresses to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Pink Midi Shirt Dress with Botanical Hem Print
Wrap V-Neck Midi Dress with Puff Sleeves
Printed Pleated Day Dress with Pockets
Godmothers, grandmothers and close family
If you are a godparent or the grandmother, you'll be standing at the font and appearing in most of the photographs, so it is worth going a step smarter. Soft tailoring is the easy way to do it. A blazer over a day dress, or a co-ord in a single colour, looks put-together without looking stiff.
Our co-ords take the guesswork out of matching, and a V-neck top and tapered trousers co-ord set is a good choice if you'd rather not wear a dress. For something more tailored, a single-button blazer and trouser suit set in a soft colour is smart and wonderfully easy.
Then think about the practical side. You will probably hold the baby at some point, so skip long necklaces, brooches with sharp pins and anything that a small hand might pull. A fabric that washes well is a kindness to yourself: babies are not known for their table manners.
Layers and shoes for a church service
Churches have stone floors, uneven paths and the occasional draught. A light jacket is the most useful thing you'll wear all day. Our blazers include softer, relaxed shapes that sit easily over a dress and come off when lunch gets warm.
For shoes, a low or block heel is your friend. Thin heels catch in old floor grates and wobble on gravel paths, and you may well be carrying a nappy bag as well as yourself. Cut-out Mary Janes with a block heel or a pair of colour-block penny loafers look smart and keep you steady. Have a look through our shoes for comfortable pairs that suit a midi hem.
Colour ideas
Blush pink, sage, powder blue, lilac and buttery yellow all feel fresh and happy in church light. Navy is a smart alternative if you prefer something darker, especially with a printed blouse. If you love a print, choose one that reads as soft from a distance; it will look calmer in the group photograph than a busy, high-contrast pattern.
By season
In spring and summer, a light dress with a cardigan or cropped jacket is ideal. In autumn and winter, try a knitted midi dress with tights, ankle boots and a smart coat, or a trouser suit with a fine jumper underneath. The service itself is usually short, but you may stand outside for photos afterwards, so bring a layer whatever the month.
A christening outfit that lasts from service to lunch
Most christenings move on to a lunch, at home, in a pub or in a hired room. Your outfit should cope with sitting at a table, chasing a toddler and perhaps a walk in the garden. That is another reason to favour a dress or co-ord with some give at the waist and shoes you can stand in for hours.
For a non-religious naming ceremony, the same advice applies, often a little more relaxed. If you have more family occasions coming up, our guides to the smart-casual dress code and what to wear to Sunday lunch are useful companions.
Next, from our blazers
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Single-Button Blazer with Three-Quarter Sleeves
Double-Breasted Blazer with Gold-Tone Buttons
Relaxed Check Blazer with Patch Pockets
Your questions, answered
Can I wear jeans to a christening?
For the service itself, it is better not to: most families expect smart daytime clothes in church. Dark, smart jeans can work for a relaxed lunch at home afterwards if the family is informal, especially with a blazer and good shoes. When in doubt, choose trousers instead.
Can I wear black to a christening?
Black is not forbidden, but it can feel a little sombre for a happy occasion. If you love it, lift it with a bright scarf, a printed blouse or a coloured blazer.
Do women need to cover their heads in church for a christening?
Not in most Church of England or Catholic churches in the UK, where a hat is simply optional. Some traditions, including many Orthodox churches, do expect women to cover their hair, and a light scarf does the job. If you are unsure, ask the parents before the day.
What should a grandmother wear to a christening?
Whatever makes her feel smart and at ease: a day dress or a co-ord with a soft jacket works beautifully. She is likely to be in many photos and holding the baby, so comfortable shoes and a fabric that washes easily are worth thinking about.
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