Dress for christening

[Anonymouslyposting]

My two DC are being christened next Sunday and I am really struggling to find an outfit.

I am 5 foot 8 and a size 8/10 with dark hair and pale skin. I am breastfeeding so can’t do high neck. I don’t normally wear much white but that seems to be the done thing so am looking at white/white adjacent. I look awful in orange/yellow/mint colours so not them. Technically I can spend up to around £400 but in an ideal world I’d keep it well below that.

I quite like the dresses below but I’m not sure if any of them are right. Very open to suggestions. Help!

https://uk.rouje.com/gabin-dress-periwinkle-ecru.html

https://www.matchesfashion.com/products/1478656?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=1478656000009&utm_term=2053765629534&gbraid=0AAAAADg3ZyZqFyuaHrOmIqlrXxdP-TVNq&gclid=CjwKCAjwyeujBhA5EiwA5WD7_W94doXgZuk8EP3cPzNvJvbcA1QV2uAOvVTWomia8Jfd68sd1-96xRoCZOEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.johnlewis.com/lauren-ralph-lauren-velda-day-dress-mascarpone-cream-french-navy/p110088865?size=10&s_ppc=2dx92700071607142380_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwyeujBhA5EiwA5WD7_X2BoADYvTDZazVysoUk-mlOuRt3LqQKyAQDLiFw4fpA1j1EZN6xJhoCBLUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I am not a churchgoer, but was not aware of the white thing for a parent. Loads of stuff on the JL website that would work with breastfeeding (to a point), be much cheaper than your budget and may have more use post event. Attached a couple of suggestions.

https://www.thereformation.com/products/leni-dress/1312538MEB.html?dwvar_1312538MEB_color=SGB&quantity=1

This is pretty. And a more ivory background to the print, which is flattering to pale skin.

Your colouring sounds lovely, by the way. And congrats on twins!

I like all of your choices. The Emilia Wickstead one is a great bargain although you'd probably need to wear something on top. The site I've linked to has beautiful and quite dressy, fitted cotton cardigans which would go well with that dress.

Are you looking for something that unbuttons ? There are several styles on here that do. I think almost all of these dresses would be suitable for a christening.

I've never heard of having to wear white. I've never seen that at a christening although not been to many but presumably you'll know what's done at your own church.

Palava Dresses

Remember the dress code for church, no shoulders, knees or cleavage. If you’e breastfeeding and want to wear a low neckline wear another light layer you can cover up with. The prettiest and traditional combo to me is mother and child in all white. (The duchess of Cambridge does this well).

*to add, I’m a church goer and white is the traditional colour (like a bride), but more importantly dressing modestly. I think a lot of ‘holiday’ Christians out themselves at ceremonies such as christenings by not dressing appropriately.

I don't think I've ever been to a christening where the mother was in white. I didn't wear white to my children's christenings. I wouldn't focus on that colour as it's not expected and will severely limit your choices.

Been to plenty of Christenings (mostly high Anglican, some Catholic and one Presbyterian) and am a lifelong churchgoer. Never heard of white being a thing.

What stands out most is people dressing for weddings in super high heels etc. All a bit OTT.

For my own DC's ones I wore a JoJo Maman simple wrap round jersey breastfeeding dress in purple.

@teezletangler & @DappledThings the mother wearing white to a christening, like many traditions people can choose to ignore it if they wish. (In my home Country I’ve never seen the mother not wearing white). I personally think it’s a pity as it’s such a beautiful combination on mother and baby, but each to their own. However I do get frustrated with people not dressing modestly. I presume they would if they were visiting a mosque.

I've been to a lot of christenings and none of the parents wore white.. and they are regular church goers so I'm not sure if that's right?? I'd wear a nice dress that you feel comfortable in

The only Christenings I've been to were parents who were very devout and regular church goers. I have no religion and went as their friend. The mothers didn't wear white.

My friend wore a Bardot top maxi dress, I don't recall the colour.n

You don’t need to wear white! Relative wore a pretty Zara floral dress for her DDs christening.

Can I ask what your home country is that it is a tradition to wear white? That's a question of genuine interest, nothing snarky. I've never seen it.

Those dresses are all nice but prefer the last one. £300 for a dress you’ll only wear once at most though?!

Why would she only wear it once?

White is certainly not a "thing" at C of E christenings, and I have witnessed many christenings. Is it a Catholic custom?

Christening are not as dressy as weddings, so a nice shirt dress might f it the bill. I bought a Dancing Leopard dress from Silk Fred recently that might be aporopriate, especially as you are tall.

Christening are not as dressy as weddings
Absolutely. The ones that always stand out at church are the ones really overly dressed. Fine if you want to but generally those who are regulars won't dress for their own DC's christenings as anything more than normal smart, not wedding smart.

This is me with DC2. Me in purple feeding dress, godmother in blue. Same dress I'd wear to a nice lunch or a party, not a wedding.

Don’t worry - I’ll definitely be wearing a cover up if I go for anything revealing!

Thanks everyone. I’ve ordered the Rouje dress and a couple from Sezane to try and see which work. The Emilia Wickstead dress sold out in my size while I was dithering! Love the reformation dress that @SashaAlabaster suggested.

I have definitely always heard the white thing as a tradition but I know it’s not compulsory and I want something that I’ll rewear so have mostly gone for white adjacent/pale options rather than pure white.

I’m afraid I’m very much a holiday Christian - the christening is more at my DH’s suggestion than mine, he used to be a regular churchgoer and bellringer but has lapsed since covid/the kids - so I’ve never actually been to a christening as an adult before.

https://www.sezane.com/en/product/dora-dress/ivory#size-8

https://www.sezane.com/en/product/sarah-dress/floral#size-6

When my grandson was christened I felt totally overdressed in my pretty dress. Most people were casual and some men were wearing shirts and jeans and women in trousers and a t-shirt. This was in a Catholic church.

My son just got baptised and this is what I wore, not everyone's cup of tea but I was stuck with what to get! I've never had the opportunity to wear a pill box hat so I got one just because 🤣

I can't get a good picture of the front as DS is always covering the top of my dress but it was very subtle tie with a small bow. You could see my collarbone but nothing underneath that.

Generally white is usually the best to go for, but anything that isn't too short is fine 🙂 I am also a 8/10 but still have a bit of baby tum there.

I've been to a lot of christenings (half the time singing in the choir; many godchildren between myself and DH). No need to wear white. Would recommend covering shoulders, nothing hanging out, nothing likely to get too hot. I'd usually take a jacket or cardi, smart rather than really dressed up or made up. Nothing in a slidey fabric - it's not easy to hold on to a baby comfortably if so, and with 2 I think that would be even more tricky.

I have noticed lately some influencers wearing white but that's new to me and l have been at a lot of christenings. Think it's more of an Instagram thing..more for the photos but definitely not a tradition around here

Generally white is usually the best to go for,

No it isn't. I have been present at loads of Christenings in C of E churches (both high and low church) over the years, and wearing white is definitely not a thing.

I agree that it is probably a recent "Instagram" thing, or perhaps a Catholic thing. White is such an impractical colour to wear with a breastfed baby anyway. Ignore advice to wear white unless you want to. It isn't a first communion service.

Totally agree. I'm baffled by this wearing white thing. Also been to loads of CofE ones as congregation at usual Sunday service, a guest participant and my own. Never seen anyone in white.

And I'm from 3 generations of clergy with a mother who is a stickler for all kinds of traditions around clothing. If mothers wearing white was a thing in C of E she would have made sure I knew when it was my turn!