We’ve found the best christening guest outfit ideas plus the etiquette to follow
It's not just wedding season, but christening season too, and the question that pops up is what do you wear to a christening? Thankfully, there's no hard and fast rules on christening outfits for women, but as with all similar occasions, there's a bit of an unwritten dress code for both men and women to adhere to.
For men, that usually means wearing a smart suit, or at least formal trousers and a shirt, and female christening guests should consider venue appropriate dresses, suits and sometimes, cover-ups and fascinators too. Read on for the dos, don'ts and christening guest outfit inspiration.
Best christening outfits at a glance
The floral dress for a christening: Yumi Floral Wrap Dress, £60 at John Lewis / $67 at Yumi
The tea dress for a christening: M&S Midaxi Tea Dress, £39.50 at Marks & Spencer / $69.99 at Marks & Spencer
The halter neck dress: Chiffon Halter Neck Dress, £159 at Phase Eight / $285 at Phase Eight
The shirt dress for a christening: Floral Shirt Dress, £40 at River Island / $74 at River Island
The ultra-feminine dress for a christening: & Other Stories Linen Blend Bustier Dress, £135 at ASOS / $67.90 (save 65%) at ASOS
Is there a dress code for christenings?
Since christenings are formal occasions, usually held in a place of worship or a smart venue, a christening guest outfit should follow suit.
For women, this tends to mean floral dresses, usually below the knee; you can wear sleeveless or cami straps, but I think bandeau dresses would be a no-go – add a blazer or boucle jacket to keep it modest. A smart suit, skirt co-ord or even trouser co-ord works too.
The most popular style for women is a floral, floaty dress, but don’t overlook the more structured style of a shift dress, or the whimsical shape of a tea dress. I for one love soft silhouettes for a christening, like pleated skirts in playful prints, and off-shoulder shirred bust dresses in pastel shades with big puffy sleeves. Baring your shoulders isn’t banned, just be sure to make sure the rest of the dress is quite covered up, like a maxi length, and not too fitted either.
Just always remember that this a formal occasion, and trainers and jeans are frowned upon.
How I chose the best christening outfits for guests
Modest dress: While it isn’t a no-go to bare shoulders or knees, an element of decorum should be remembered when dressing for a christening. The pieces I’ve chosen are all at least midi length, and feel modest even if a shoulder shown - nothing is too fitted or tight.
Colour: I’ve opted for spring, pastel shades or block colours in cheery shades. An all-black outfit isn’t normally seen at a christening, but can be woven in with trousers, skirts or accessories so I kept this in mind when choosing the edit.
Price: Most of the time, you’ll find occasion wear can be on the pricier side. With that in mind, I've made it my mission to include fashion across a range of budgets.
Best outfits to wear for a christening
1/15
Yumi Floral Dipped Hem Midi Dress
John Lewis Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 8 - 22
Colours available: Green, mint green, blue, light blue, yellow, pink,
Shipping: Free click and collect or free on orders over £50
Returns: Free within 28 days
John Lewis is a great retailer for christening outfits, stocking a range of styles across occasion wear.
This Yumi dress is a bestseller, and ideal for those wanting something floral, floaty but modest; the long sleeves are sheer, but the length keeps you covered up.
The kimono, fit and flare shape will accentuate your waist and the midi length is spot on for a christening. Add neutral heels to let the dress take the spotlight.
£60 at John Lewis
£54 at Debenhams
$67 at Yumi
2/15
Phase Eight Naomi Spot Chiffon Dress
Phase Eight Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6 - 20
Shipping: £2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
If you want something a little more glam, a halter neck dress bridges the gap between modesty and modern. Phase Eight's chiffon design is a floaty and feminine fit, with a pale pink background with faint black spots dotted over it.
You could wear a boucle blazer or jacket over it, in neutral or white, to cover up on a chillier day.
£159 at Phase Eight
£159 at John Lewis
$258 at Phase Eight
3/15
Marks & Spencer Midaxi Tea Dress
Marks & Spencer Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6-24
Colours available: Blue
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £60
Returns: Free within 35 days
Another tea dress, this time a super affordable one for £39 from M&S. The pale blue is a brilliant shade for most skin tones, and the length is a little on the longer side so would work well with heels or even fancy flats.
£39.50 at Marks & Spencer
$69.99 at Marks & Spencer
4/15
Karen Millen Tailored Structured Crepe Dress
Karen Millen Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6 - 16
Colours available: Pink and green
Shipping: £4.99 Standard Delivery or free with Karen Millen Premier
Returns: £2 within 28 days or free with Karen Millen Premier
This Karen Millen crepe dress is giving royal, with its longer sleeves, pleated skirt and structured aesthetic - it's a smarter option if the venue calls for it.
The pale pink is dreamy for spring, but there's also a mid-green if that's your colour.
£183.20 (save 20%) at Karen Millen
$315.20 (save 20%) at Karen Millen
5/15
Jolie Moi Danika Keyhole Neck Mesh Dress
Debenhams Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 8 - 20
Shipping: Free for orders over £15
Returns: Within 28 days
For those wanting a formal yet feminine dress, try this polka dot dress. Jolie Moi's midi dress has a flattering keyhole neck, to show a little skin, but modest long sleeves and a chiffon-sheer fabric to give it a whimsical finish.
The butterfly sleeves are worth noting, as is the cinched in waist - universally flattering.
£49 (save 42%) at Debenhams
6/15
River Island Blue Floral Belted Shirt Dress
River Island Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6 - 18, Petite and Plus also available
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free on orders over £50
Returns: Free within 28 days
River Island's belted shirt dress is very similar to a toile de jouy designer midi that Meghan Markle wore to a wedding in 2016. River Island's version is a shirt dress, which can be worn as loose or tight as is comfortable, and add a pair of heeled sandals and you're christening ready.
£40 at River Island
$74 at River Island
7/15
Oasis Ruffle Sleeve Jacquard Dress
Oasis Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6 - 18
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
I adore this Oasis dress, which looks far more expensive than it is. It really does look christening perfect, as it's pretty, flouncy without be OTT.
Wear with vintage-style heels and accessories, or go for metallics.
£66.75 (save 25%) at Oasis
8/15
ASOS DESIGN Flutter Sleeve Asymmetric Hem Dress
ASOS Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 4 - 18
Colours available: Six available, including brown stripe, khaki and rust
Shipping: Free
Returns: Free within 30 days
This isn't your typical christening outfit, but if you're not into florals or polka dots, and want something neutral, this ASOS dress is a great option, with its wide stripes, boat neck and asymmetric hem.
ASOS has hundreds of christening outfit ideas, so worth a scroll for inspiration alone.
£48 at ASOS
SHOP ASOS US
9/15
Coast High Neck Floral Lace Dress
Coast Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 8 - 18
Shipping: From £2.99 for SuperSaver Delivery
Returns: Within 28 days
Lace, pleats and a midi length - Coast's cobalt blue dress ticks all the boxes as a christening-perfect outfit.
£129 at Coast
£129 at Debenhams
10/15
Boohoo Tailored Suit
Boohoo Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 8 - 16
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days
Boohoo may not seem the obvious place to visit for christening outfits, but it has hundreds, including suits for women, floral dresses and crepe block coloured dresses.
This nude-coloured suit is a great buy for a christening; layer over a white cami or silky tee, and make it modern with metallic or nude strappy heels.
Blazer, £28 (save 20%) at Boohoo
Tailored trousers, £20 (save 20%) at Boohoo
Blazer, $25.50 (save 50%) at Boohoo
11/15
RIXO Leyane Chiffon Gown
Rixo Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6 - 16
Colours available: Pink and black and white polka dot
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 14 days
Rixo is the cool-girl destination for vintage-inspired occasionwear, never too smart or stuffy but always pretty, both in pattern and design.
I chose this pink dress to highlight for a christening for the versatility of it. Great with heels, or flat sandals, and can be reworn with sneakers on a sunny day.
Square neck dresses are particularly flattering for women with a bigger bust, and if you're on the smaller chest side, the ruching on the bodice will add a bit of depth.
£475 at Rixo
$645 at Rixo
12/15
Boden Corinne Midi Tea Dress
Boden Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 6 - 22 (Petite, Regular, Long)
Colours available: Red, blue and green
Shipping: Free over £50
Returns: Free within 90 days
Tea dresses feel right for a christening, with a fitted bodice top and a looser skirt.
Boden's tea dresses are classics, with a flattering fit and flare shape and cute short sleeves. The red dress has a sweet ditsy floral pattern, and there's a blue and green version too.
£98 at Boden
£98 at John Lewis
$150 at Boden
13/15
Nobody's Child Pink Puff Sleeve Kelsie Midi Dress
Nobody's Child Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 4 - 18
Shipping: Free standard delivery on orders over £100
Returns: Free
I think this raspberry pink dress is an absolute showstopper - just look at those puff sleeves. The cotton material makes it less dressy, but it can smartened up with heeled espadrilles and a clutch - it's calling for a summer christening with garden tea party afterwards.
There's seven colours to choose from.
£69 at Nobody's Child
$118 at Nobody's Child
14/15
Warehouse Floral Satin Halterneck Dress
Warehouse Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 8 - 16
Shipping: Free delivery on orders over £50
Returns: Within 28 days
This stunning floral satin maxi dress features softly draped satin with a punchy floral print. The slimming ruched bodice and flowing A-line skirt will be a flattering fit, and if you're conscious of your arms, add a boucle blazer to feel more comfortable.
There's also an open back with crisscross straps and asymmetric hem.
£49.50 (save 45%) at Warehouse
15/15
Whistles Floral Nellie Dress
Whistles Christening Outfits
Sizes available: UK 4 - 20
Shipping: Free on orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
I think Whistles' floral maxi dress embodies spring fashion, thanks to its pastel floral design and frill detailing on the skirt.
With brighter days ahead, embrace the freshness of spring with our Shaded Floral Nellie Dress, a great addition to your wardrobe. The dress is sleeveless and completed with timeless floral prints. Frill detailing through the skirt with side splits at seams for ease of movement. Style it with ballet pumps.
£199 at Whistles
$399 at Whistles
Can I wear white to a christening?
Technically, you can wear white to a christening as a guest, however, it is traditionally the colour for the child being christened to wear, in the form of a christening dress or gown. It’s not unusual for the mother to wear white either – Princess Kate chose creamy, neutral palettes for the christenings of her three children, but as a guest to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son Archie's christening, Kate chose a rose pink shade instead and left white to mum Meghan.
As a guest though, it’s not really the done thing to wear white to a christening. I’ve been a guest at many of them over the years, and other than the baby and the mum, I have not seen a guest wear all-white or all-cream, other than as part of the outfit (ie. a jacket or top). So all-white outfits to a christening? I’d skip.
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Can I wear black to a christening?
You can, but bear in mind this is a celebration, not a sombre occasion, so accessorise wisely. Black shoes, accessories and parts of an outfit are fine to wear, as is a black dress or suit. I'd personally try to not wear black, and choose navy instead or opt for monochrome.
Why you should trust me
I’ve been to quite a few christenings in my years, including the christening of my best friend’s daughter, to whom I’m a godmother (to which I wore a long sleeve floral dress with velvet black sandals). Not only can I give you advice from what’s stylish, but also what’s practical – a lot of christenings will see you holding the child, or a child, and standing around for long periods during the service and post-service celebrations.
Along with my years writing about fashion, I’m across what makes a good christening outfit for female guests and even though I haven’t tried the pieces in this edit, have used my knowledge and expertise to bring you the best christening outfit inspiration.
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