A new addition to your family is always cause for celebration. So, if the baby’s parents have decided on a formal naming ceremony for their little one, what should you wear? Take a look at these christening outfit ideas if you’re thinking about what to wear to a christening or baby naming ceremony.
What to think about when putting together christening outfits
A Christening is a formal occasion, just like a wedding. But it does tend to be a bit more relaxed, so you can think about softer silhouettes and playful prints.
If there’s no dress code on your invitation, I would take your cue from the venue and tailor the formality to the event location. You can wear anything from knee-length to midi or maxi dresses, jumpsuits, separates or suits. I would tend to avoid jeans unless you know it’s a more casual affair.
If you have a big role to play (maybe you’re a godparent), you might want to dress more formally. You also want to make sure that you are comfortable – after all you may be playing with children, or holding a baby during the day.
Nora @juststylela (read her style interview here) opts for an all neutral outfit that would work well for spring and summer events.
Get her look with this similar poncho (another option here), pants (another option here), sandals, clutch and necklace.
Hobbs London Elize Jacket – Ted Baker London Maudee Patterned Halter Neck Jumpsuit – COS Buckled Strappy Sandals – Hobbs London Cordelia Wedge – Hobbs London Kali Sandal – Hobbs London Maisie Clutch – Ettika Linear Crystal Drop Earrings
Can you wear black or white to a christening?
While there are no hard and fast rules, white tends to be associated with weddings, and black with funerals, so you may want to think about different colors or neutrals. Or, you could always wear white or black pants with a top in a different shade.
The Princess of Wales usually looks impeccable for formal occasions, so you could also take a look at our article on how to dress like Kate Middleton for inspiration.
Josephine @chicatanyage (read her style interview here) shows off a more formal look that would work well if you are a Christening guest, or you are attending a wedding this season.
Recreate her outfit with this similar jacket, skirt, flats and necklace.
Ted Baker London Harlynn Floral Flutter Sleeve Chiffon Top – COS Asymmetric Midi Wrap Skirt – Hobbs London Cordelia Wedge – Hobbs London Lundy Wristlet – Ettika Linear Crystal Drop Earrings
How to dress for a christening
Now, let’s move onto some specific Christening outfit choices, incorporating both casual and formal looks, so you can tailor your choice to your event.
what to wear to a christening: tops
If you’re attending a Christening which isn’t super formal, wearing separates works well. You could look out for tops with more structure to make sure you elevate your look, or choose drapes, ties and prints for a more playful look.
Hobbs London Ember Top – Ted Baker London Thaliya Side Tie Top – Ted Baker London Harlynn Floral Flutter Sleeve Chiffon Top – Ted Baker London Emiliah Floral Chiffon Faux Wrap Blouse
Emms @beautifuleveryday_uk‘s chooses soft shades of pink and white, which can be nice choices for a baby’s Christening. If you needed to up the formality, you could always add a blazer.
Get her look with this similar blouse (another option here), wide jeans and platform sandals.
jackets and coats
Depending on the venue, Christening or naming ceremonies may be in church, which doesn’t tend to be very warm, or they may be partly held inside, and then maybe the reception could be outside. Therefore, make sure you have a coat or cover up to stay warm.
You can instantly make your outfit look more formal by adding a blazer. Or, if you prefer a coat, choose a shorter jacket that ends at your waist, which would work for dresses and pants. If you’re wearing a dress, you’ll want a coat that ends at, or just below the hemline of your dress.
Treasure & Bond Stripe Linen Blend Blazer – Hobbs London Elize Jacket – Hobbs London Sophie Trench – Hobbs London Saskia Trench
Treasure & Bond Stripe Linen Blend Blazer – Ted Baker London Thaliya Side Tie Top – Ted Baker London Eliziie Wide Leg Trousers – Hobbs London Cordelia Wedge – Hobbs London Lundy Wristlet – Ettika Linear Crystal Drop Earrings
Dresses, jumpsuits and skirts
If you aren’t sure what to wear, then you really can’t go wrong with a pretty, print dress. Or, choose a skirt, and then add a print or colorful blouse. If you choose a sleeveless option, you can always add one of the cover-ups from above.
Hobbs London Carly Spot Midi Dress – Ted Baker London Marllee Tiered Midi Dress – Ted Baker London Maudee Patterned Halter Neck Jumpsuit – COS Asymmetric Midi Wrap Skirt
Fonda @savvysouthernchic wears a beautiful maxi dress that would work well for a baby naming ceremony, or for your vacation. If you feel you need the look to be more formal, you can always swap the rattan bag for a clutch bag.
Check out these maxi dresses from Amazon and Chelsea28 (plus size here) that you can wear with this similar pair of sandals, bag, necklace and earrings.
pants
Of course, you don’t have to stick to dresses or skirts. A pair of pants can work just as well for most occasions. For a Christening, you could opt for pale or bright colors and let your pants be the star of your outfit, or you could choose a pair of print pants and a block color top. If you have a pair of black pants in your closet already, you could always wear them with a stylish blouse.
ANINE BING Carrie Pants – Hobbs London Suki Pants – Ted Baker London Eliziie Wide Leg Trousers – Boden Relaxed Linen Pull On Trouser
Hobbs London Saskia Trench – Ted Baker London Emiliah Floral Chiffon Faux Wrap Blouse – ANINE BING Carrie Pants – COS Buckled Strappy Sandals – Hobbs London Maisie Clutch – Ted Baker London Crissty Large Crystal Drop Earrings
shoes
You can wear flats or heels to your event, depending on what you feel comfortable in. Just think about how much you might have to walk or stand, and whether you might be walking on any uneven surfaces or grass.
COS Buckled Strappy Sandals – Hobbs London Cordelia Wedge – Hobbs London Kali Sandal – Hobbs London Sia Loafer
Jess @elegantlydressedandstylish (read her style interview here) chooses a soft color palette of beige and peach.
Steal her look with this similar linen blazer (another option here), skirt, sandals, bag, necklace and earrings.
accessories
Switching up your accessories can take a look from being more casual to formal. For a Christening, you’re likely to want to carry a formal clutch bag. If it’s a very formal event, you can always add a hat or a fascinator. You’ll find our ultimate guide on how to wear a hat in this article.
Hobbs London Maisie Clutch – Hobbs London Lundy Wristlet – Hobbs London Ottilie Fascinator – Karine Sultan Braided Link Collar Necklace – Ted Baker London Crissty Large Crystal Drop Earrings – Ettika Linear Crystal Drop Earrings
Hobbs London Sophie Trench – Hobbs London Carly Spot Midi Dress – Ted Baker London Marllee Tiered Midi Dress – Hobbs London Kali Sandal – Hobbs London Maisie Clutch – Hobbs London Ottilie Fascinator – Ted Baker London Crissty Large Crystal Drop Earrings
where to shop for your christening outfit
If you aren’t sure where to look for your Christening outfit, then the below stores are a good starting point for dresses and outfits that are a little more formal.
- Hobbs London
- Coast
- Karen Millen
- Massimo Dutti
- ANINE BING
- Ted Baker London
- Dress the Population
- Maggy London
The Christening outfits we featured
Below you can see your Christening outfits inspiration together in one capsule. You could easily mix and match the bottoms, tops and jackets to create different looks.
Plus, when your event is finished, you can wear many of these more casually. For instance, you can team the blouses with your favorite jeans, or wear the print dresses with a denim jacket.
Do you have your own tips for what to wear to a Christening? You can add them in the comments below.
Continue reading:
- Semi Formal Attire For Women – What The Dress Code Means And When To Wear It
- The Best Casual Party Outfits That Make An Impact
- What To Wear To A Cocktail Party
- What To Wear To A Casual Wedding In Summer
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Feature image by Jospehine @chicatanyage
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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