What to Wear To A Christening Or Baptism
Choosing an outfit for a christening or baptism shouldn’t make you stressed. Although it’s a special occasion that should be dressed for appropriately, it’s not as difficult as most people think.
For those of us that have already been to a christening or baptism, we know it’s much more relaxed than many anticipate. However, if you’ve never attended one, I can see how the anxiety can kick in, so I’m here to help you out!
What To Wear To A Christening Or Baptism
We have 3 children of our own and aside from their baptisms, we’ve also been to plenty of others for family and friends. With that being said, I’m confident my tips will make the process of choosing your outfit much easier, including if you’re looking for a baptism dress for mom!
What is the dress code for a christening?
Generally speaking, there is no set dress code for a christening (like there is for a wedding). There are no colors you must avoid or huge no-no items. Rather, it’s an unwritten rule that you should strive to dress modestly.
Here are some ideas of what you should and shouldn’t wear to a christening or baptism.
What NOT to wear to a Christening or Baptism
- Too-short dresses/skirts
- Incredibly low-cut blouses
- Overly baggy/sloppy pants and shirts
- Skintight clothing
- Anything with stains
- Flip-flops
- Casual shorts
- Spaghetti strap tops
- Allowing undergarments to show
- Jeans
Is it bad to wear black to a baptism?
Can you wear black to a baptism? It’s not bad to wear black to a baptism, so if you have a black dress you want to wear, go for it! However, you still want to keep it classy/modest.
A black dress (like the one I’m wearing above), a tailored pair of black pants, or a beautiful black blouse can all be part of a fantastic outfit. It’s all about how you style it.
Above is a great example of what NOT to wear to a christening. It’s too tight, too short, and too low cut. Sure, this would be great for going out with girlfriends or for date night, but NOT for a baptism.
What to wear to a baptism as a guest
Women
- Dresses/skirts that fall below your fingertips when hands are straight at your sides
- Cardigans for layering
- Maxi dresses/skirts
- Midi dresses/skirts
- High Necklines
- Sleeves – flutter, short, 3/4, full
Men
- Khaki pants
- Polo shirts
- Suit & Tie (or even just a nice button-up shirt & pants)
- Polished shoes
Shop christening outfit for mom
Here is a great idea of what is appropriate to wear to a baptism or christening. My dress has a high neckline, full-length sleeves, full back coverage, and a nice length.
Would I have preferred my 6-year-old to wear khaki pants instead of shorts? Yes, but I wasn’t about to pick that battle. The shorts are fine for a 6-year old lol.
Again – there are no set-in-stone rules, just general guidelines to follow. He’s wearing nice shoes and a button-up – mission accomplished.
As you can probably tell in this specific photo above, we aren’t going to a christening, but rather our daughter’s communion. These rules apply to both communions and confirmations as well.
A christening outfit for mom will always work for communion, confirmation, etc., as well.
Here are some affordable dresses to wear to a baptism that you can get delivered to your door quickly. Whether it’s a baptism dress for mom or for a guest, all of these are suitable for the ocassion.
Long Sleeve Chiffon Dress | Swiss Dot V Neck Dress | Belted Flounce Dress
Belted Jumpsuit | Lace Dress | A-Line Dress
Cap Sleeve Midi Dress| Lace Midi Dress | Belted Sheath Dress
What To Wear To A Christening If You’re The Godmother
If you happen to be chosen as a godmother or godfather, the same rules apply to your outfit. Just keep in mind that you will likely be up in front of people for a brief period of time.
You want your clothing to be comfortable, easy to move in, and baby-friendly (if the christening is for a baby of course).
With that being said, try to steer clear of anything that a baby can easily grab onto. For example, big earrings, long necklaces, or dangling strings.
A godmother’s dress for a baptism won’t be much different than that of the child’s mother.
What To Wear To A Christening In Winter
Finding baptism attire for the colder months isn’t difficult either. The look below would be a great winter christening outfit if paired with tights and black booties. Throw a nice peacoat on to polish off the look and you’re good to go.
Men’s outfits stay pretty similar from hot to cold months by mainly swapping out long-sleeve shirts for short-sleeve ones. Women’s baptism outfits can be a little more involved.
Here are some christening outfit ideas for women for a winter baptism:
- Sweater and Maxi skirt
- Midi Dress with tights
- Long sleeve turtleneck dress
- Ponte pants & lace-up blouse
- Jumpsuit
What color do you wear to a baptism?
When picking out a christening outfit, don’t be afraid of colors! And with that being said, don’t be afraid of wearing something OTHER than a dress. You don’t have to be dressed up to look nice.
Wearing what you’re comfortable in is important, too.
If you’re also wondering what to wear to a catholic baptism as a guest, something like this is a great option. It offers full coverage and has a nice silhouette, but isn’t overly baggy or casual. While it is colorful, it isn’t an overly loud neon color.
Solids work well for just about any occasion but florals, polka dots, and pastels fit in perfectly when it comes to baptisms and christenings.
Can you wear white to a baptism?
While a baptism is a special event/occasion, it’s not a wedding where you have to worry about wearing the same color as the bride.
White is perfectly fine to wear to a baptism unless the parents have specifically requested guests NOT to wear white. If you have any doubts, just ask the family!
If you ARE the parents of the child being baptized, a white baptism dress for mom is actually quite common.
What shoes should I wear to a christening?
For women, there are plenty of shoe options. Most people opt for heels of some sort, but if you aren’t comfortable in high heels there are other styles to choose from.
Slingback flats, wedge sandals, lace-up flats, and flat espadrilles are all great options.
What to steer clear of? Sky-high stilettos, flip-flops, sneakers, and gladiators.
Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few options for men as well. Leather boots, chukkas, oxfords, and penny loafers all work well for a baptism.
Where to shop for a baptism/christening outfit
Some retailers have a much larger variety of baptism-appropriate outfits than others. Here are a few that have a wide selection of christening guest outfit ideas:
Lulus (women)
Express (women & men)
Nordstrom (women & men)
Red Dress Boutique (women)
Bloomingdales (women & men)
Macy’s (women & men)
Amazon (women & men)
In the end, there is no set baptism dress code. If you have to question if something is too short, too tight, or too revealing, opt for something else.
That’s it for this post on what to wear to a christening! Hopefully, you now feel like you know how to dress for a baptism in a way that is both comfortable and appropriate.
Other Posts You Might Like
How To Wear An Oversized Sweater 10+ Ways
How To Style White Jeans 9 Easy Ways
43 Online Boutiques That Are Actually Legit
Be sure to follow me on Instagram where I share daily outfit ideas, affordable fashion finds, and the week’s best sales.
