What to wear to a christening
Smart and gentle: light or pastel colours, shoulders and knees covered for the church, and shoes you can stand in. Leave white to the baby, and avoid black unless the family dresses that way.
Two outfits that work
Pale blue dress, cardigan
- pale blue knee-length dress
- cream cardigan
- tan low heels
- small tan bag
A knee-length dress in a soft colour is respectful in church, and the cardigan covers your shoulders and keeps you warm.
Grey suit, light blue shirt
- mid-grey suit jacket
- mid-grey suit trousers
- light blue shirt
- brown leather shoes
A mid-grey suit with a light shirt is smart without being solemn, and you can drop the tie for the lunch.
By weather
| Hot22° and up | A light cotton dress with a cardigan and flat shoes; shade for the churchyard. |
|---|---|
| Mild10° to 21° | The outfit as planned with a light coat. |
| ColdBelow 10° | A warm coat, tights or warm socks and closed shoes. |
Do and don’t
- Choose light, soft colours
- Cover shoulders and knees for the church
- Wear shoes you can stand and walk in
- Bring a card and a small gift
- Check the family’s customs
- Wear white, which is for the baby
- Wear very short or low-cut clothes
- Wear heavy perfume near the baby
- Wear dark, funeral-like clothes unless the family does
Check the night before
- Check the time and place
- Check the weather and parking
- Try on and iron the outfit
- Pack the card and gift
- Pack tissues and a spare layer
Questions people ask
What colours should I wear?
Pastels, soft blues, greens and neutrals. Avoid white and bright red.
Is a suit required?
A smart jacket or suit is the usual choice for men; a tie is optional.
Can children wear what they like?
Neat, light clothes are best: a shirt and trousers or a simple dress.
Should I cover my hair?
Not usually, though some churches ask women to. Check with the family.
Pick Christening in FeinLens and see what you already own
FeinLens builds complete outfits for this occasion from photos of your own clothes, dressed for the forecast where you’ll be.
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