You’ve been invited to a christening and chances are the first thing you asked yourself is ‘what do I wear?’
While the day is centred around the new arrival and of course they’ll be looking their best, it is expected every guest makes an effort, after all, it is a celebration.
A baby’s baptism, christening or naming day is a special occasion and is celebrated as their first milestone event, so you’ll want to get dolled up.
Ahead of shopping for your outfit, you’ll want to consider:
• Location – the location and venue of the christening, baptism or naming ceremony are vital, this information will help you decide what to wear as much as what not to wear. Traditionally christenings are held in a church, in this case, you will want to stray away from super short dresses and revealing necklines.
• Weather – unlike many events, christenings happen all year round, so really take note of the season and weather forecast on the day. For a summer christening, flowy and breathable fabrics are very much recommended, with maxi and midi dresses working the best for warmer months. For transitional months and the winter season, tailored suits and long-sleeved dresses will be your best friend. Churches can get really hot in the summer, so come prepared with a portable fan.
• Comfort – while you will want to look your best for pictures, christenings are usually long ceremonies, so you’ll want an outfit you’re comfortable in. If dresses aren’t your thing, smart trousers and suits work really well. The same goes for shoes, heels are by no means compulsory, you can opt for sandals and ballet pumps.
Can you wear white to a christening?
Unlike the traditional wedding rule that only the bride can wear white, for christenings, this isn’t the case. You can wear white and any colour you wish, it’s actually very common for guests and family to wear white as well as the baby.
Now you know what to look out for, you can shop our top pick of the best christening-appropriate outfits, perfect for the ceremony and after-party.
SHOP: Christening outfits that are both stylish and tasteful
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
What to wear to a christening
1 of 12River Island Yellow Satin Asymmetric Midi Dress
Step out in yellow for a christening in the transitional seasons, this midi dress is perfect for slightly colder ceremonies. With gorgeous gathered details on the long sleeves and a high neck, it's the perfect embodiment of tasteful and classy.
2 of 12River Island Pink Off The Shoulder Bodycon Dress
For a beautiful summer christening, this pale pink dress is ideal. This timeless design is perfect for any special occasion, from weddings to big birthday parties. A great show-stopping pick if you've been chosen as the godmother.
3 of 12Blue RI Studio Fitted Blazer and Flared Trousers
Who says you need to wear a dress? Not us, this gorgeous blue suit is absolutely divine, the flared trousers and figure-hugging blazer make for a super put-together look. Buy the whole look for £130, shop the matching flared trousers here.
4 of 12Jacquard-Weave Wrap Dress
Your new go-to dress, perfect for the day of the christening and any warm days that come after. In a simple cream colour, you're free to accessorise with any colours – pair with pastel mules and a clutch for a soft and classic look.
5 of 12Side-Slit Satin Skirt
Who knew mix-matched prints could look so good. This calf-length skirt is perfect for wear all year round and paired with this lilac patterned flounced blouse makes for a gorgeous autumnal on-trend look.
6 of 12ASOS DESIGN Wrap Front Lace Insert Dobby Midi Tea Dress
Featuring a beautiful jacquard spot pattern all over, this sage green midi dress is light and flowy making it super comfortable for long ceremonies. The flattering waist and crochet lace details will have you dolled up and ready for any picture moment.
7 of 12Y.A.S Maxi Dress With Ruffle Detail In Blue Floral Print
Go for a maxi dress on a warmer day and rejoice at the airiness and room to breathe and move. With subtle floral flair, this pretty maxi dress is ultra-feminine and a great addition to your wardrobe.
8 of 12Vibrant Floral Violet Dress
Perfect for styling with boots or mules, this standout dress is bursting with colour to brighten up the autumn-winter season. The tiered detailing and cinched high waist are perfect for elongating the figure and make the dress an elegant addition to your wardrobe.
9 of 12Linen Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
This gorgeous blue linen midi dress features a flattering silhouette and puffed sleeves. Super sleek and simple, it's comfortable to wear all day and re-wear time and time again after the christening styled with a pair of white trainers.
10 of 12M&S X GHOST Satin Tie Front Wide Leg Trousers
Shimmer effortlessly in these showstopping satin trousers from the M&S X GHOST collaboration. Style with a fitted blouse and strappy heels for a sleek silhouette look, perfect for both the ceremony and after-party.
11 of 12M&S X GHOST Floral Midi Tea Dress
This striking tea dress from the M&S X GHOST collaboration has a bold floral print to bring extra impact to your look. Its tiered shape creates plenty of fluttery movement that's echoed in the full gathered sleeves.
12 of 12Oasis Tie Waist Scuba Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits are a great go-to for a super flattering and sophisticated look, plus they're ideal for any weather conditions. Featuring a wide leg and belted waist, this jumpsuit does wonders to elongate the silhouette - pair with heels to carry the elongating illusion.
Read more:
The best backless bra so you can finally wear that dress with confidence
The M&S x Ghost collection is back and it's made for Christmas parties
What do you buy for a baby’s christening?
If you’ve been invited to a christening, baptism or naming ceremony, you’re probably on the lookout for the perfect gift to give to the baby of honour.
You might want to go for something traditional like a silver gift. The tradition of giving silver gifts at a christening dates back to Tudor times when a child’s godparent would give them an Apostle Spoon. This Tales From The Earth Expanding Lucky Star Christening Bangle from John Lewis would make for a great traditional gift.
Books are a great gift for a christening, you can opt for a gorgeouscollection of Peter Rabbit Tales or something personable like this Nursery Rhymes And Personalised Poems Book.