What to wear to a christening: stylish outfit ideas for the season ahead

Wondering what to wear to a christening? You're not alone. This time of year is when the christening season officially begins, and these occasions call for something sophisticated, elegant, and comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Unless a specific dress code has been announced, it is, as with questioning what to wear to a wedding, best to err on the side of caution, opting for a modest and elevated finish to your outfit. Take your main cue from the venue of the christening and any after-gathering to help guide your choice as a first port of call. Think midi-length dresses, flattering jumpsuits, or soft pastel tailoring in uplifting colours. For low-key events, a smart-casual look will suffice, think stylish or smart trousers and a blouse. Grander christenings, however, will require an outfit upgrade.

If you're attending the church ceremony, ensure you have selected a modest look, covering shoulders and not revealing too much skin. If you're the mother of the child or a godparent, you may want to add more personal touches or be more dressed up than other guests for memorable photos after.

What to wear to a christening: 12 key pieces and how to style them

When considering what to wear to a christening, there is no need to get yourself into a style panic. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and go for smarter, more polished pieces.

Most importantly, select an outfit you're comfortable in. While dresses are often seen as a failsafe. The best trouser suits for women are a great option for smart occasions. As with all special occasionwear, getting the right foundations, such as best shapewear, can help you to feel your best on the day, particularly if you're wearing something a little different from usual.

"Like weddings, christenings are a formal occasion, and so when you're selecting what to wear, it's best to avoid casual items such as jeans and trainers and opt for smart occasion wear. A pretty floral midi dress or tailoring such as a pastel-coloured suit teamed with a low block heel are both fail-safe, stylish options. While hats and fascinators are still popular, many are choosing to go with a more modern take on headpieces, such as an oversized Alice band, similar to those worn by the Princess of Wales," says fashion editor and stylist Antonia Kraskowski.

1. Colourful midi dresses

Christenings are joyful occasions, so don’t be afraid to dress to match the mood. The bigger and brighter the print you opt for, the better. This season has a particular fondness for expressive prints and light pastel shades, so embrace the spring/summer fashion trends of 2025 by choosing a printed midi dress in mood-boosting hues. The best midi dresses offer maximum impact with minimal effort. While summer is largely about rainbow brights, dramatic monochrome prints will look chic and stand the test of time.

For a summer christening, pair a midi dress with some wedge sandals and you're good to go. When it comes to silhouette choice, opt for more flowy styles over bodycon designs. A tea dress or shirt dress is a good choice in a cotton fabric, ensuring you stay comfortable all day long.

2. Lightweight suits

If you aren't a fan of dresses but you're wondering what to wear to a christening, two-piece suits can work fabulously for a sleek and contemporary look that’s comfortable for all-day wear. Look for a colourful pastel blazer and trouser combination or lift more classic, muted hues by layering a vibrant blouse underneath.

Wide leg trousers or culottes not only look elegant and feminine but deliver on comfort too, especially when you opt for breathable materials such as light linens or cottons.

You’ll be able to get plenty of wear from your two-piece beyond the christening, styling them out as separates for work or for summer evenings out.

3. Flattering jumpsuits

Christenings tend to involve running around with little ones, so if you are worried about a wardrobe malfunction, a flattering jumpsuit is a perfect solution for what to wear to a christening. Go sleeveless on hot days, or, if you’re after extra arm coverage, a caped or angel sleeve is a great option.

Cropped jumpsuits are a lovely alternative to petite dresses if you're shorter in stature, while a wide leg style will suit hourglass body shapes, flaring out from the waist to create the illusion of a longer, leaner frame.

4. A dress coat

We're not talking about your best winter coat or even your best trench coat. When it comes to dress coats for a christening or a wedding ensemble, this style draws inspiration from the royal family and royal occasions.

To nail this look, you're either looking for a dress and coat co-ord, where a shift, knee-length dress has a coordinating coat in the same length, or you can pair a frock-style, tailored coat over a neat shift dress in a well-matched hue to replicate the idea. If your capsule wardrobe already contains a dress you'd like to wear, give it a seasonal refresh with a wrap coat or a lightweight trench.

5. Kitten heels or wedge sandals

Much like weddings, christenings can be long days and involve a lot of standing up, so make sure you choose smart, comfortable shoes. Consider a block heel, or wedge sandals, for outdoor events, this will prevent you from sinking into the grass.

Or take your lead from the 2025 shoe trends and opt for pointed kitten heels. The pointed toe will make your legs look longer, while the small heel adds height and elegance. One of the most versatile styles of shoes, they’ll more than earn their keep in your wardrobe, working for interviews, work, and as comfortable wedding guest shoes, too.

6. Hats and headpieces

Christenings that are on the more formal side will generally require a hat or headpiece. Or if you simply want to liven up your look, opt for fabulous headwear to do so. Look at this as an opportunity to dress up and embrace some of the latest accessory trends to inform your choices.

When it comes to hats or headbands, the more formal the occasion, the more luxe fabrications you're looking for. For a headband for a christening, look for sculptural styles, tulle, and embellishment detailing to ensure you stand out (in a good way). Don't opt for anything too large, though, so you can comfortably wear it all day.

7. Crossbody bags or clutches

When it comes to bags to wear to a christening, remember that, like with a wedding, you'll want to travel as light as possible. As a dressier occasion, you'll want to leave your tote bag at home.

Opt for smaller, delicate clutch bags with wristlets or a small crossbody bag. This will allow you to go hands-free and enjoy a day spent with friends and family in comfort and style. Select bags that just fit your essentials; otherwise, you'll be tempted to fill it with items you simply don't need to be carrying.

FAQs

Worried about the kind of outfit you've picked out or need some extra guidance? We've put together answers to some of the most common questions about christening outfits.

Can you wear white to a christening?

The rules are different from those of weddings, and it is fine to wear white to a christening or baptism. Traditionally, the person being christened or baptized will wear white (or a similar colour), but that doesn't mean guests can't wear it too. And if you're a mother or godmother at the christening, then it's even more common to wear a white outfit.

Can you wear black to a christening?

Again, there aren't such strict rules around wearing black to a christening as there are when it comes to weddings. You can opt for black if that's the outfit you're most comfortable in, although you should still consider the settings and theme for the day in the aesthetics of your look.

Is it OK to wear jeans to a christening?

While jeans might seem a bit informal, a tasteful darker denim could be passable. It depends on the style of the event and the people hosting. You could team a pair of jeans with a smart and well-tailored jacket for a sharper finish. We think it's safe to assume you can leave anything with rips in the knees or anything "acid-washed" in the wardrobe for this one.

There are lots of stylish tops that pair with jeans, which can elevate and smarten up denim. And a white jeans outfit, such as a skinny or tapered pair teamed with a tunic or blouse, sits on the right side of appropriate, whereas baggier denim will be a no-no.

What's the best colour to wear to a christening?

If you're wondering what colour to wear to a christening, then don't fear. As far as dress colour codes, most christenings are fairly relaxed about which shades you choose.

However, if you're attending a spring or summer christening, we would reccomend going for lighter pastel shades, or warm-weather jewel tones. Trending pastel shades this season include butter yellow, spring green, lilac, and pastel peach.

As with all special occasionwear outfits, besides comfort, the most important thing is to consider the surroundings and feel of the day. You want to look like you have made the effort, but as with the best mother of the groom dresses, you don't want to upstage any of the core family members by being OTT. Because factoring children to a christening is central to the day, despite its dressy nature, you will find they are relaxed affairs, so keep your look polished to avoid any faux pas.