What to Wear To a Baptism Or Christening: 18 Stylish Outfits
Are you having trouble finding what to wear to a baptism or a christening? If so, we got you! Here are 18 baptism outfits to wear on this happy occasion.
Baptisms are among the most important life events for those of the Christian faith. It’s a solemn, intimate celebration with immediate family and friends, and it’s only appropriate to show up in a formal dress code to celebrate with them.
What NOT to Wear to A Baptism
There’s no specific dress code for baptisms since it will depend on the family’s preference, but the most important thing is to stick to modest, formal clothing for both ladies and men.
This goes without saying that since the baptism service typically happens at churches or chapels, then it’s a good idea to dress modestly.
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to avoid anything which exposes too much skin. That means no skirts or dresses above the knee, no backless details, and nothing too low cut.
Think about what would be appropriate to wear to a corporate environment, and then soften it up with lighter colors and accessories. This means no jeans and nothing skin-tight. You should also avoid anything casual, after all, Baptisms are among the most important life events for those of the Christian faith.
It’s a solemn, intimate celebration with immediate family and friends, and it’s only appropriate to show up in a formal dress code to celebrate with them.
While the first part of the baptism ceremony might be formal and solemn, the reception (or the after party) will most likely be not. There will be games and some light drinking and dancing, so it’s best to show up in an outfit that you feel very comfortable in.
If you’re still perplexed as to what to wear, here are 18 of our favorite baptism outfit ideas to sport on this special occasion.
Note: It’s always a good idea to bring along a cardigan or a jacket if you’re planning to wear a sleeveless dress. Traditionally, women should cover their shoulders in the catholic church, and while the church you attend for your upcoming baptism may be more modern, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
What to Wear to a Baptism or Christening
1. Midi Dress With Puff Sleeves
As we mentioned, wearing sleeveless dresses to a church can be sometimes seen as a faux pas, which is why it’s always a safe choice to opt for a midi dress with short sleeves.
This best-selling dress from House Of CB comes with a flattering slit, but don’t worry – in real life, it’s not nearly as noticeable as in the image above. Choose from 7 feminine shades, including dusty pink, pale blue, and floral prints.
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Saint Laurent
Sac de Jour Nano Shiny Leather Satchel Bag
At Neiman Marcus
& Other Stories
Strappy Leather Sandals
At & Other Stories
2. Two-Piece Suit
During the colder months, a two-piece suit in solid colors is a great idea. Though steering clear of a black suit would be smart as this can look too corporate, particularly for an event like a baptism.
A suit in pastel colors is a great formal outfit for the spring months and can be dressed down with a t-shirt underneath or dressed up with a white shirt or blouse.
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Alice + Olivia
Scarlet Pants
At Revolve
Abercrombie & Fitch
Short-Sleeve Cotton Bodysuit
At Abercrombie & Fitch
3. Frilly Blouse
A blouse paired with wide-leg pants is a great option if dresses and skirts aren’t your thing or the baptism is being held during the fall months. For this to look more appropriate for a baptism outfit than a corporate outfit, stick to light colors.
Again, because this is a formal outfit, stick to heels and dainty jewelry to elevate this for a social day.
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RUMER
Pepper Pants
At Revolve
Chanel
Lambskin Quilted Medium Flap
At Fashionphile
4. Floral Dress
If this is a summer baptism, the shortest dress you can go for is a knee-length dress, though it would be a smart idea to go for one with a high neckline and long sleeves to ensure there isn’t too much skin on display.
Floral is a fantastic feminine print for an event like this. However, it should be fine and light rather than too busy or dark.
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Stuart Weitzman
Nudistcurve 75 Sandals
At Nordstrom
petit moments
Tulsa Belt
At Revolve
5. Black Blouse
Everyone has a classic black blouse in their repertoire, and this is a great fuss-free baptism outfit if you’re attending your first.
Pair this with an otherwise formal outfit, like a slip skirt, and complete with a classic pair of pumps for a simple, formal look.
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ANNE KLEIN
Pleated Satin Skirt
At Nordstrom
Manolo Blahnik
Carolyne Kitten-Heel Halter Pumps
At Neiman Marcus
6. Pastel Dress
Pastel is a great color range for a baptism outfit, particularly a spring baptism. This plays into the vibe of traditional baptism colors and outfits, where attendees would dress to the nines for such events.
You can wear this in a midi or maxi dress or in a fun print like polka dots or florals.
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BTB Los Angeles
Chloe Bag
At Revolve
Patricia Green
Montauk Kitten Heel Mules
At Nordstrom
7. Black Maxi Dress
Again, black can be a tricky color to wear to a baptism; some say that it shouldn’t be worn at happy occasions, whereas some see it as a formal color to wear when attending such events.
The best thing to do in this case is to check with the family who has invited you and also pair the black dress with colored accessories to lighten the mood of the outfit.
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Jacquemus
Le Chiquito Long Top-Handle Bag
At Neiman Marcus
Naturalizer
Ankle Strap Platform Sandal
At Nordstrom
8. Colorful Sweater
Juxtaposing with black, some cultures call for bright colors to be worn to a church. If this is the case, a bright blouse or sweater with color-blocked pants or a neutral skirt is a fantastic option.
Again, make sure the sweater is chic and elevated, and pair it with formal accessories like a nice pair of earrings and classic pumps.
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Fabiana Filippi
High-Low A-Line Poplin Maxi Skirt
At Neiman Marcus
Jennifer Behr
Gemma Stud Earrings
At Revolve
9. Maxi Slip Dress
For ladies, midi or maxi dresses are preferred as dresses should be kept modest. A maxi slip dress is also a great opportunity to incorporate a pop of color into your outfit but still allow for it to be modest.
If the dress is sleeveless or has a backless or low back detail, pair it with a cardigan or light jacket – this way, you can look appropriate for the religious ceremony whilst being able to remove it for the after party where the vibe is more laid back.
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Bottega Veneta
Stretch Square Toe Sandals
At Nordstrom
Prada
Beveled Acetate Oval Sunglasses
At Neiman Marcus
10. Statement Maxi Skirt
A statement maxi skirt in a bright color is a fantastic idea if you attending a baptism in the warmer months.
Many families now request a white / pastel dress code to get those important aesthetic Instagram pictures, so be sure this isn’t one of those occasions.
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Abercrombie & Fitch
Oversized Poplin Button-Up Shirt
At Abercrombie & Fitch
Miu Miu
Lea Logo Ballerina Flats
At Nordstrom
11. Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits are also a good choice, particularly if you don’t like dresses and aren’t good at matching blouses and pants; a jumpsuit does all the hard work for you.
This applies to a formal jumpsuit as opposed to a boiler suit or dungarees. It is now a staple garment and available from most brands and at many price ranges.
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STAUD
Alec Zip Leather Shoulder Bag
At Neiman Marcus
Stuart Weitzman
Squarehigh Platform Slide Sandals
At Nordstrom
12. Long, Colorful Dress
A good option for a baptism outfit is a long colorful dress. This looks festive and happy, extremely fitting for a special occasion like a baptism.
To keep the outfit elevated, pair this with neutral accessories like beige court heels and a shoulder bag.
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Saint Laurent
Mini Le 5 à 7 Raffia Hobo
At Nordstrom
Allegra James
Twisted Leather Mule High-Heels
At Neiman Marcus
13. Maxi Skirt
A perfect choice for a baptism outfit is a maxi skirt. As we’ve mentioned, short skirts are a no-no for a baptism, as it’s a must to wear modest clothing.
This is a chic outfit option when paired with a blouse and fun heels or ballet flats; perfect if it’s a baptism with a light-hearted vibe in the summer months. However, make sure to opt for a blouse that isn’t see-through, unlike the example in the outfit above!
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WeWoreWhat
Tulip Long Skirt
At Revolve
Chloé
Lauren Scalloped Leather Ballet Flats
At Neiman Marcus
14. Black Midi Dress
This is perfect if the baptism you’re attending is in the colder months, though you can opt for a black midi dress with metallic or white elements to ensure it looks festive.
You can keep the rest of the outfits nude or colorful to add to this vibrant feel.
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Carolina Herrera
Knit Midi Dress with Embellishments
At Neiman Marcus
Saint Laurent
Kate Striped Grosgrain Bag
At Nordstrom
15. White Maxi Dress
Again, white dresses can be a difficult choice for baptisms, as white isn’t always a welcome color to wear if you aren’t part of the immediate family.
However, if it is, a cotton white broderie maxi dress is a classic, versatile choice that is sure to be a winner.
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Chloé
Woody Embroidered Flat Sandals
At Neiman Marcus
Ray-Ban
Icons 50mm Round Metal Sunglasses
At Nordstrom
16. Wool Coat
If the baptism is in the winter, attention should be paid to your outerwear, as there is no cloakroom at a church, so you’ll likely keep your coat on. For this reason, making an investment in a classic wool coat will serve you well.
Underneath your coat, you can keep your outfit simple, like a white shirt and pants, along with simple beige loafers to keep the tones similar.
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Reformation
Mason Cropped Pants
At Reformation
Loro Piana
Summer Charms Walk Moccasins
At Saks Fifth Avenue
17. Pink Blouse
A great option for colder months is a pink blouse paired with formal pants. Dressing for baptisms is ultimately about respect, so it’s important to put in an effort if you are invited to one.
You can dress this up with a pair of detailed flats if heels aren’t your thing or if the after-party is to be held in a grassy area where heels wouldn’t suit.
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& Other Stories
Wide-Leg High-Waist Trousers
At & Other Stories
Valentino Garavani
Tonal Rockstud Caged Ballerina Flats
At Neiman Marcus
18. Shirt Dress
A shirt dress is an underrated garment option and isn’t given enough credit for its versatility, particularly when styled as the focal point.
For a baptism outfit, this can be paired with suede pointed heels and dainty jewelry for a traditional look.
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ALOHAS
Luke Leather Ballet Flats
At Revolve
Bottega Veneta
Mini Jodie Leather Hobo
At Nordstrom
Christening Outfit Ideas for Men
When choosing what to wear to a baptism or christening, options for male guests are easy. Since this is a formal event, a long-sleeved sweater tucked into dress pants would work perfectly. You can also wear a long sleeve shirt or a polo shirt and cardigan to keep it looking cool and laidback.
If you want to go for smart casual and laid-back, you can pair dress pants and a suit jacket with smart white sneakers.
1. Dress Shirt
A great option for men is a collared shirt. It’s basic but has a classic look. Stick to light colors like blue, pink, or beige to look festive instead of corporate.
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Dolce & Gabbana
Re-Edition Leather Belt
At Nordstrom
Santorelli
Roma Flat Front Wool Dress Pants
At Nordstrom
2. Sweater
For the cooler months, a fitted sweater with formal pants is a great choice for fall or winter baptisms. This should be paired with formal shoes like loafers to look put together.
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Theory
Sylvain Structure Sport Shirt
At Neiman Marcus
Barena Venezia
Riobarbo Plaid Wool Trousers
At Nordstrom
Have you taken your pick yet? We hope you got your inspiration from this post on what to wear to a baptism or christening!
Up next: Here’s What To Wear To A Gender Reveal Party (As A Guest)