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Original poster

Ok to not dress up too much for a Christening?

113 replies

ytrewqytrewq · 30/03/2018 17:50

Help me out here. We're not church-goers but going to a Christening soon for a family member - first one we've been to. There'll be a reception after but likely to be relatively informal. Is smart-casual ok, or do people dress up for Christenings like they do for weddings? Would jeans be ok, so long as they were relatively smart?

OP posts:
MakeLemonade · 30/03/2018 17:56

I wouldn’t wear jeans to a christening, I think that’s too casual but it doesn’t need to be as formal as wedding attire. I usually opt for a dress.

mimibunz · 30/03/2018 18:00

Definitely not jeans. Black dress trousers like you would wear to an office would be fine.

BIWI · 30/03/2018 18:01

Yes, you're supposed to be dressed more formally for a christening.

pandarific · 30/03/2018 18:02

Where is the reception? That'll help decide it. I'd say smart casual should be fine for most places.

Heismyopendoor · 30/03/2018 18:03

Most people here go very glam for a christening, almost wedding like!

DextroDependant · 30/03/2018 18:04

I usually wear a dress for a christening, not as formal as I would for a wedding but definitely not jeans.

pandarific · 30/03/2018 18:04

I'd say dark navy or black new jeans with nice shoes, top and jewellry should be fine (and if you wear makeup, nice makeup and hair).

MandaraSugar · 30/03/2018 18:05

Black skinny jeans (jet black ones that don’t really look like denim) with high heels you could probably get away with if you were set on wearing jeans. Otherwise no, agree with PPs - steer clear.

FriggingMardyCow · 30/03/2018 18:05

Not jeans.

MadMags · 30/03/2018 18:06

I wouldn’t wear jeans to a christening. Not as glam as a wedding, but certainly not casual.

PotteringAlong · 30/03/2018 18:07

I agree with everyone else, definitely not jeans.

edwinbear · 30/03/2018 18:07

Not jeans, no. It's a special day and you need to dress up a bit more.

AcademicOwl · 30/03/2018 18:07

Not jeans. But then jeans wouldn't be smart casual in my thinking anyway

EmmaGrundyForPM · 30/03/2018 18:07

The church service bit will have members of the congregation dressed in all sorts of things so whatever you wear will be fine for the church bit. I'd therefore tailor what you wear for the venue.

TheDailyMailLovesTheEUReally · 30/03/2018 18:08

I'm going to a christening soon and plan to wear ankle grazer black tailored trousers with a smart short sleeved top, with a boyfriend style black blazer, long necklace and chunky mary jane style shoes. You're going to church so jeans aren't really appropriate - there's a reason why the term "Sunday best" was coined!

EdithWeston · 30/03/2018 18:09

I'd wear 'Sunday Best'. So no not jeans, but you don't dress up as if for a wedding.

Grilledaubergines · 30/03/2018 18:09

Not jeans. Dress or trouser suit/tailored trousers and a jacket would be more appropriate. No need for a hat or fascinator.

LockedOutOfMN · 30/03/2018 18:09

Smart trousers, skirt or dress for women. Smart trousers and shirt for men.

Mammyloveswine · 30/03/2018 18:10

I would never wear jeans to church, lots of people do but it just doesn't sit right with me! We always dress smart when we go on a Sunday!

For a christening id wear a nice dress... i always wear a hat or fascinator for a wedding but wouldn't for a christening.

I was affronted that my cousin wore shorts and a tshirt for my sons christening and told him so!

ParkayFloor · 30/03/2018 18:10

Not jeans.

PEARSON93 · 30/03/2018 18:11

Never ever jeans! Christening is more garden party attire than full in wedding guest. Nice dress and jacket will be fine.

I was so angry when someone turned up to my DDs christening jeans.

Hefzi · 30/03/2018 18:11

I wear a hat to Christenings - I'm a regular churchgoer, and wear hats for all hatch, match and dispatch events, but tbf, very few people do nowadays. Jeans would be far too informal for any traditional Anglican christening I've been to, but I doubt anyone would actually pull you up on it. You might feel a bit under-dressed, though. Some evangelical Christian churches are far less formal in dress, though -perhaps check with your relative to be sure?

Twickerhun · 30/03/2018 18:12

I’d wear smart black jeans. Depends on the church tho.

BackforGood · 30/03/2018 18:13

As Edith says, I'd wear my definition of 'Sunday Best'. Of course that might not be a concept to you Grin
Not jeans though.
Definitely smart. I would wear a dress. You could wear 'smart' (ie tailored) trousers.
When people come to a Christening at our Church, where no-one in the Christening party normally attends, they tend to be even more dressy than normal Church folk do...... think wedding without the hats.

meditrina · 30/03/2018 18:15

If you know the church, and the congregation is casual and jeans-wearing, and any do after is church hall or bout, then you'd be OK in jeans.

But if you don't know for sure that such a level of casual is going to fit in, play it safe and go Sunday Best (as previous posters describe it)