Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

could I wear this dress to a christening?

34 replies

Walnut8 · 09/03/2014 11:48

I'm intending to buy this dress to wear to my friend's bday party: [http://www.frenchconnection.com.au/dresses/scattered-animal-print-jersey-dress/w2/i7268579_2405786/ dress].

Do you think it would be out of place to wear it to a christening? I'm still to try it on, but I have other FCUk jersey dresses which seem to sit quite well on me - and I always size up so that they aren't too tight. I'm just not sure about the print and whether it would look a bit out of place. Thoughts?

OP posts:
Mrswellyboot · 09/03/2014 11:50

I can't see the link but my advice would be (with animal print) to wear a blazer to tone it down and it would be fine

SirChenjin · 09/03/2014 11:50

I'm not sure - it seems more of a party dress to me. Perhaps if you wore a jacket with it and made it more formal somehow? Presume christening is in a church?

Funnyfoot · 09/03/2014 11:51

[http://www.frenchconnection.com.au/dresses/scattered-animal-print-jersey-dress/w2/i7268579_2405786/ dress]

Walnut8 · 09/03/2014 11:55

sorry link here

OP posts:
Walnut8 · 09/03/2014 11:57

Yes christening would be in a church.

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 09/03/2014 12:02

I think you'd have to be really careful with it - I imagine you'd have to do bare legs/fake tan if needed/v high heels to make it work, and I'm just not sure how appropriate that is for a church christening, unless you were able to formalise it quite a bit.

BitOutOfPractice · 09/03/2014 12:04

I don't think so no. Sorry. It's a bit to evening / girls night out-ish

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 09/03/2014 12:11

No,not suitable for a christening! It would look incredibly out of place and probably lead to stares.It's more of an evening dress and animal print you need to be careful with.Even with a blazer I don't think it would be 'appropriate'

Pennies · 09/03/2014 12:16

No, sorry.

Gladvent · 09/03/2014 12:18

I think it's nice and fine for church. I went to a christening last week and there were people v dressed up and people all scruffy - it doesn't really matter what you wear.

SirChenjin · 09/03/2014 12:19

All scruffy to a church christening? What a complete lack of respect Sad

Bunbaker · 09/03/2014 12:25

I think it is fine. I do go to church and have been present at loads of christenings. You wouldn't look out of place at all.

In my experience the regular congregation tend not to dress up as much for church and you can always spot the christening party because they have all their finery on.

scottishmummy · 09/03/2014 12:28

Yes it's fine,paired with pashmina,heels it will be ok.its a modest neckline
You don't need to dress like a dour frump because it's in church
The centre of attention is baby and parents not the guests

YuccanLiederHorticulture · 09/03/2014 12:33

I don't see anything wrong with it myself - it's not showing cleavage or shoulder. I can't visualise the length though - if it's more than about an inch or so above the knee it may be a bit too short. However I think with a jacket over the top it would be fine. Tights rather than bare legs though.

insancerre · 09/03/2014 12:34

if you like it then wear it
I don't buy into the 'not appropriate' comments at all

Bunbaker · 09/03/2014 12:40

Some people have odd ideas about what is inappropriate in church. There is nothing inappropriate about that dress. Even if it was a could of inches above the knee there is nothing wrong with that.

Walnut8 · 09/03/2014 12:51

thanks everyone! I have to admit that I'm still a bit on the fence. On one hand, I think it's a modest neckline and length & overall okay, on the other I wonder if the pattern is a bit much for the occasion. I completely agree that being in church doesn't mean you have to be a frump though! If it was a friend's baby being christened, I think I would just wear it but it is DH's family... and possibly may be asked to be a GP!

OP posts:
BlueJean · 09/03/2014 12:57

Have none of you seen My big fat Gypsy wedding/first communion tv?

Anything and everything goes for church wear nowadays. That dress is modest and entirely appropriate for a normal christening .

envies income and figure to be able to buy and wear that dress

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 09/03/2014 12:58

That's it,it's the pattern being too much rather then the style of dress itself (although the two combined make it more dressy/out there).

It is quite funky though,kinda like a sexy cruella deville

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 09/03/2014 13:05

Errrr....BlueJean, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding/Communion is nothing like real life!!!

OP if you're unsure, don't wear it as you'll feel uncomfortable.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 09/03/2014 13:10

It's not my style, but I don't think it would look out of place. Though to be fair, the last christening I saw included mum in four-inch nude sledge shoes and a plunging minidress, and I go to a church with a pretty staid, elderly congregation so that did get a few stares.

I do think that, whatever you wear, if you feel uncomfortable you will tend to look uncomfortable.

procrastinatingagain · 09/03/2014 13:11

People were dressed in similar things at the last christening I went to, complete with fake tan, big hair, very high heels etc. So I don't think you would look out of place, but I also don't necessarily think it's appropriate, but really that's just because of my personal taste, rather than because it's a religious occasion.

EBearhug · 09/03/2014 13:13

If you're not sure about it, I'd say no. You need something you feel okay with, else you won't be able to relax properly.

I wouldn't want to look like a Dalmatian anyway, but that's my personal taste, and you might look fab in it - but if you're not sure about wearing it, you're going to feel a bit tense and uncomfortable, and that will show.

Slongette · 09/03/2014 13:50

I like it - nice cardi, classy heels and a pashmina it would be perfect for a day event.....I would wear it if I could fit into it!

FamiliesShareGerms · 09/03/2014 13:58

I'd wear it to a wedding but not a christening, for reasons I can't quite articulate

Swipe left for the next trending thread