How do I dress for a christening or baptism?

How Do I Dress for a Christening or Baptism

If you have been invited to a christening or baptism, you are surely wondering what kind of outfit is appropriate for the occasion. Is there a dress code? Should you wear office clothes? As a general rule, you should always dress in clothes that you feel comfortable in and that are true to your style.

When attending a religious event such as a christening, however, you must keep in mind a few tips to avoid dressing inappropriately during the celebration. In this oneHOWTO article we'll answer the common question: How do I dress for a christening or baptism? Stay with us and keep reading!

When is the christening?

Before you go out looking for the right outfit for the baptism, remember that this type of ceremony can be held at any time of year.

Spring is the most popular season for baptisms, meaning that the weather can vary quite a bit. You may be lucky and have sunshine and pleasant temperatures, but you must be prepared to deal with rain or cold. When considering what to wear for a baptism, choose a layered outfit that you can wear in any weather. Ideally, you should wear a thin jacket and closed shoes in case the day turns out to be a cool one.

If the event is held in the summer, avoid wearing very short skirts, dresses or shorts, as well as revealing necklines or sleeveless shirts. A christening is a religious ceremony, and modesty to an extent is expected of all guests and participants regardless of their gender: when in doubt, dress conservatively.

No matter the season, baptisms are day events and are usually celebrated in the morning. Therefor, discard evening suits and gowns; light-colored, subtle clothes will be better.

What should you NOT wear to a baptism?

Dressing for a christening should not be the same as dressing for a wedding. In most cases, a baptism is a semi formal event, normally celebrated during the day (although some christenings are held in the evening). This means that you have to be elegant without going over the top.

Women must avoid long, fancy evening or night dresses and dark or very saturated colors. Because it is a church event, very short hemlines and low necklines should not be worn to a baptism. The same applies to anything loud: neon colors, very high heels, rhinestones and sparkles will be frowned upon.

Do not use a large amount of accessories in a baptism: you can wear delicate and subtle necklaces and bracelets to accent your outfit and add a sophisticated touch. On the other hand, sumptuous hairpieces or sun hats should be avoided, as you'll be taking the spotlight away from the baby and their parents.

The rules for men are not as obvious; you do not have to wear a suit unless you feel comfortable in one, and you should not wear very formal suits or in very loud or inappropriate colors. Gold embroidery is fine for the Oscars, but not for your nephew's baptism.

As a general rule, it is not appropriate to wear jeans to a christening. However, all events are different and if the baby's parents do not want to enforce a semi-formal code you can get away with dark, elegant jeans. Here you can learn more about how to combine colors in menswear.