Advice on Christening Clothes

[GeorgiePorgiePudding]

Hello

Long time lurker here in need of some fashion advice.

I've been invited to a christening where my partner is being godfather (ridiculous given he's a staunch atheistbut we've had enough arguments about this!!).

I've never been to a christening before and have literally no idea what to wear. The parents of the child have just said 'suits' as guidance but this seems to apply to the male guests more than women.

I want something a bit different and quirky and I was thinking this: www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-60s-fit-and-flare-dress/invt/br312252/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses
with black tights and black jewellery

Or something funky from Yumi. I saw a black tunic dress with prints of jaguars all over it in my local Yumi yesterday but I can't find it online.

My issue is that I don't want something dark and boring, I want something bright and funky. Also, I want something that I'm going to get a fair bit of wear out of afterwards so I'm not wasting money just for one day.

The christening is in late April. I'm 27, 5'5, size 8, bobbed light blonde hair.

Please help me!!

x

[snoworneahva]

Just been to a Christening for the first time, I managed to aviod quite a few. Smart casual seemed to go down well, it was very low key - thankfully, as I don't have a churchy wardrobe...I wore black with a big down coat as the church was bloody freezing. You have my sympathy - I hate wedding clothes and feared I'd be forced to wear something from Hobbs or Coast!

[GeorgiePorgiePudding]

Hi snow

Did you wear a black dress? Or trousers and top? I have got a nice black dress from New Look with a lacey white collar but I'm not sure if it looks like a bit boring.

I'm absolute dreading it and, like you, I'm scared I'm gonna have to wear something sensible and respectful possibly from Coast.

xx

[snoworneahva]

I wore a black felt top and a pair of cropped black trousers with black brogues. It wasn't worth dressing up for - everything was hidden by my coat - which I was very glad of. It only took 20mins. The only people involved were the parents, grandparents and the godparents - the rest of us sat a few seats back and caught up with the gossip, it really wasn't as bad as I was expecting and we had a lovely meal afterwards. I won't be rushing to another one though.

[BikeRunSki]

Ok, lapsed Catholic here
I have been to tonnes of Christenings. No need to go uber smart, no need to wear black. If the Godfather is atheist, then it can't be that formal. Something on the smarter side of smart casual (Coast rather than White Stuff). Knee length or longer though (we still talk in hushed tones about when Cousin X wore a mini dress to Grandma's funeral) and no bare shoulders - if knees and shoulders are hidden then no one will be offended. Funk it up with jewellery, although huge punk crucifixes might upstage the priest and skulls would not be that appropriate. I rather like the sound of the leopard Yumi dress.

[cassell]

Ds2's christening is in May and we haven't specified a dress code but I would like/expect people to wear something smart, similar to what you would wear to a relatively informal wedding. Personally I think black is a bit depressing for a christening but that's just me. The tesco dress you linked to would be fine IMO.

At ds1's christening then most of the men wore suits and the women a range of things from smart trousers and tops to pretty skirts/dresses/smarter dresses. No one (including me ) wore anything 'formal' such as a satin coast dress.

Hope that helps.

[TheWoollybacksWife]

That Tesco dress is lovely.

I go to loads of Christenings (huge family). I tend to wear dresses as I'm a short arse but lots of females in my family wear trousers for Christenings. I'm attending one at the end of the month and will be wearing a black and cream dress, with a cardigan, black tights and shoes. I would advise hemlines no shorter than a couple of inches above the knee.

My church holds Christenings after the family service on a Sunday. Looking at the guests waiting to come in - anything goes from hats and fascinators to jeans and fleeces.

[GeorgiePorgiePudding]

Thanks so much for all of the replies.

The red dress looks like the hemline is a bit above the knee but I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm heading to Tesco in a couple of weeks so I'm gonna try it on and I'm keeping everything crossed that it fits (I have massive boobs which makes dress shopping uber-unfun). If not, Yumi have got some lovely stuff so I may re-visit.

xx

[snoworneahva]

Just to clarify - I wore black because I like black, not because it was expected and because it wasn't a big deal what I wore, but I was worried initially that it would be - the baby was being christened for schooling purposes - we're all very lapsed Catholics! smile]