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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:
elliejjtiny · 30/03/2018 22:33

I would ask the baby's parents if there is a dress code. I honestly can't remember what anyone wore to my dc's christenings but I think there were a few people in jeans, others in wedding type outfits and some in between. We didn't have formal posed photos, just a few shots of the baby with various relatives that I took.

kimanda · 30/03/2018 22:54

God no, not jeans! Not for a Christening. It's a formal do! Dress smartly.

Ding3kids · 30/03/2018 23:07

We've just had our 3rd child christened and my partner wore jeans. Didn't bother me or affect the photos. Not everyone expects formal clothes, I can't stand wearing formal so much prefer smart casual

Loandbeholdagain · 30/03/2018 23:10

Definitely not jeans.

OliviaStabler · 30/03/2018 23:11

Jeans are not OK. You need to dress smartly.

JaneEyre70 · 30/03/2018 23:13

I've always treated a christening like a wedding - a formal family celebration. Not something I'd ever consider wearing jeans to......

LoniceraJaponica · 30/03/2018 23:16

As a lapsed church goer I could always tell who was in the christening party as they were much better dressed than the congregation.

No to jeans, but not as dressy as a wedding.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 30/03/2018 23:21

DGS's christening will be smart but not overbearing. It'll be early summer so floaty dresses and lightweight jackets and trousers. None of us are observant, so we're having him done in his dad's old parish. The do is in the working men's club.

HagSeed · 30/03/2018 23:21

Churchgoer and Christening veteran here. I wish more people would wear something they felt comfortable in and actually pay attention to what's going on, rather than spending the whole service worrying about who's got the best hair and whether their boobs are about to fall out.

Cirrys · 30/03/2018 23:27

Imo hatches, matches and dispatches are all Hat Events. At the very least you should be wearing your Sunday Best and dressed smartly.

DappledThings · 31/03/2018 02:04

I think with so much difference of opinion you have to be guided by the invitation. If it is a formal one posted on nice card with a reception somewhere they probably are expecting a certain dress code.

If it's like mine where I'll be calling/texting/emailing round this week to just let people know the time of the service and that they are welcome back to ours afterwards you're probably fine to wear anything.

I would hate anyone to think they had to dress up to either of my DC's Christenings unless they wanted to. Much rather people came and joined in the service and as a PP said, took notice of what was happening than worried about any supposed dress code

opionated · 31/03/2018 06:50

As a lapsed church goer I could always tell who was in the christening party as they were much better dressed than the congregation.
and the fact they sit on the front 2 rows and were never seen before or after (at least they do at my church)
and i would not class 'smart casual as jeans

opionated · 31/03/2018 06:57

slightly worrying how many people on this thread are stating because people dont go to church regularly they are not christian. i would not judge peoples faith if they say they are christian they are (and going to church is not one of the 10 commandments)

SumAndSubstance · 31/03/2018 21:17

While I don't disagree with your sentiment, opionated, it would be a bit odd if going to church were one of the 10 commandments, bearing it mind they are part of the Hebrew Bible, which predates Christianity by hundreds of years.

Ladyflop · 31/03/2018 22:27

I can't believe you are even considering wearing jeans to a christening, good grief.

DappledThings · 01/04/2018 02:10

All the people so outraged that anyone would wear jeans to a Christening are making me hope somebody does wear jeans to DD's just so I can prove it's fine!

Averyyounggrandmaofsix · 01/04/2018 08:11

I love an excuse to dress up and a good old girlie shopping trip. Maybe I am exceptionally shallow.

Original poster
ytrewqytrewq · 01/04/2018 18:17

OP here. Amazed this thread is still going, but for the record the Christening was this morning. I wore a dress invthe end but was definitely the smartest there. Everyone else was in jeans, including the vicar! Grin

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 01/04/2018 18:24

The question I would ask is 'would Jesus mind?'. Clearly no one at the christening the OP went to thought he would.

NerrSnerr · 01/04/2018 18:26

Could I ask the people who go to church who say definitely not jeans for a normal service? Why? Does it matter what you wear to worship?

squarecorners · 01/04/2018 18:27

DS's godmother turned up to his christening in very casual clothes. She was fairly pregnant at the time but I was invited to smart occasions when pregnant and managed something suitable. All my family wore suits and smart clothes - I thought it was inappropriate, especially since I'd put a lot of effort into the party. Showing up smartly dressed to places shows your host you appreciate the effort they made. I agree with others - dark /black jeans and maybe a jacket and smart top if you're desperate to wear jeans.

opionated · 01/04/2018 19:20

While I don't disagree with your sentiment, opionated, it would be a bit odd if going to church were one of the 10 commandments, bearing it mind they are part of the Hebrew Bible, which predates Christianity by hundreds of years. well yes but im a christian and most would consider the 10 commandments to be the basis of christian teaching. and they are reafirmed in the new testament multiple times all 10
Could I ask the people who go to church who say definitely not jeans for a normal service? Why? Does it matter what you wear to worship? the answer is in a few bible verses however i would point out trhe advice on this thread was based on a belief that they would look out of place advice which turned out to be wrong. however the verse's are 1 Timothy 2:9-10 that said most at my church are not smartly dressed however they are typically elder so dont wear jeans.

Loandbeholdagain · 02/04/2018 08:14

I go to church every week. Lots of people including myself wear jeans. I still wouldn’t wear jeans to a Christening. Just like I wouldn’t wear jeans to a church wedding. It’s just social etiquette.

ferntwist · 02/04/2018 08:36

Out of interest, why would you want to wear jeans? Definitely not okay for a christening.

ferntwist · 02/04/2018 08:38

Just seen your update. I’m finding it hard to believe you that the vicar wore jeans. I’ve never seen this in my life. Especially not on Easter Sunday. Robes are usually long and white, with gold tunics on top for Easter Day in the Church of England and Catholic. What kind of church was it?

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