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Original poster

What is normal attire for a christening?

22 replies

theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 11:10

We've been invited to a christening, but i've never been to one before! is it like a wedding? dh is stressing over whether he'll have to wear a suit, and i've got no idea at all what to wear! my usual smart outfit is 3/4 length pinstripe trousers, red jumper or black shirt (depending on whether i'll need to bf) and knee high stilletos, but is this too "office"?

help me please!!

OP posts:

Hulababy · 14/09/2007 11:14

Not as formal as a wedding. More normal church type wear - smart casual - skirt and top, etc. For men - could do suit or just smart trousers and shirt, but no tie.

Original poster

theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 11:16

Hula, are you stalking me?? you were on my toastie thread as well weren't you? (see, this is why i can't wear any of my pre-pg dresses!)

OP posts:

Hulababy · 14/09/2007 11:23

Was I??? LOL! Not stalking, just avoiding doing my homework

brimfull · 14/09/2007 11:26

think all black may be a bit sombre for christening,brighter top and accessories would be more suitable.
Men ;don't think suit is mandatory,smart trousers and shirt would do,except if it is posh cathedral or summat

Original poster

theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 12:40

argh!! it is in a cathedral!!

OP posts:

FluffyMummy123 · 14/09/2007 12:41

Message withdrawn

ejt1764 · 14/09/2007 12:43

I would say smart but comfortable - even if it is in a cathedral ... cathedrals are still a place of worship for ordinary people too!

The outfit you said to start with sounds fine - but beware of the stilettos - a lot of churches have wrought iron grids in the floors (heating), and you could easily come a cropper!

ejt1764 · 14/09/2007 12:44

At our church you can usually tell the people who don't usually go to any sort of church / chapel when we have christenings - they're the ones who are dressed the smartest!

FluffyMummy123 · 14/09/2007 12:44

Message withdrawn

FluffyMummy123 · 14/09/2007 12:46

Message withdrawn

Original poster

theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 13:14

cod - that's what i was afraid of. but at the same time i don't want to look like i've just come from a board meeting!

if you had your dc's christened, what did you wear? please, someone suggest an outfit!!

OP posts:

NineUnlikelyTales · 14/09/2007 13:28

DS was christened on Sunday and I wore a Nice Dress. Though I hadn't realised the potential for DS to rip open the front and display my cleavage to the assembled guests

I agree with the warning about stilettos in church. Not only potentially dangerous, but also have a very high click-clack factor, which can be embarrassing, especially if you are late.

ejt1764 · 14/09/2007 14:01

I wore a a purple suit and a black t-shirt ... but only because I was bfeeding and this was the nicest thing I owned that could cope with my hoiking my shirt up ... didn't stop me flashing my nipple to all and sundry though - ds was mid-feed when it got to the bit for the congregation to turn around, and in unlatching ds so he could be dunked, my boob was flapping rather (oh, and I was spraying milk!)

Strangely, it's never been mentioned by any of the congrgation of my church ... funny that!

hanaflower · 14/09/2007 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

theUrbanDryad · 14/09/2007 14:42

it's a catholic christening, so i've no idea what's "normal"! i'm not a godparent.

OP posts:

hanaflower · 14/09/2007 15:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bookwormtailmum · 14/09/2007 15:33

With my dd, I wore a 2-piece casual suit (not a jacket-skirt combo) but it gave the effect of a print dress. Still got it 6 years on although I rarely wear it now. I also insisted that I had to wear a hat for reasons that escape me now so I dug out my old black velvet hat (looked a bit like a PhD 'cap') with a coat for the church bit It was February so it was quite easy as a coat will hide most things. For my niece's christening I wore a green light-wool dress and had bare legs but she was christened in early Sept. Really you can wear what you like within reason as long as you're respectable.

SpeccieSeccie · 14/09/2007 15:39

How about a dress with good cardigan and pretty flat(ish?) shoes. Comfy but not too casual. That would have looked in keeping with everyone else at ds's christening about a month ago. We had a separate service and I don't think that affected how people dressed. Though I think all the men wore jackets and ties, but can't remember.

littleolwinedrinkerme · 14/09/2007 15:41

Is it part of the normal Sunday service or a seperate ceremony after, say in the afternoon?.

ChippyMinton · 14/09/2007 15:53

DH is being godfather this w/e and the parents specificallly said not to come suited and booted, because it is part of normal service. DH is wearing smart trousers and shirt, no tie, and i have a this dress with ballet pumps.

bozza · 14/09/2007 16:03

For DS's christening in summer I wore a floaty dress, little cardigan and low heeled mules. For DD's christening in winter, I wore high heeled boots, a tweed suit with red in it, and a red, vest stype top under it.

For my two nephews christenings (one was sis and one was sil so different people there but only two weeks apart) I wore a longish dress, with a short sleeved cardigan over and wedge sandals. Was July.

tigerschick · 14/09/2007 16:18

I agree that the "smart casual" line is best. A nice dress with a pretty cardigan would be perfect IMO. The Christenings I have been to recently have had a wide range of dress - everything from tidy jeans and tops to full-on wedding style gear. Go in what you are comfy in. Or something that could be adapted - a dress that can be dressed up or down with 2 different over-tops, for example.
Re dh - Id go with no tie but a shirt that can have a tie and put one in his pocket, just in case!

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