Outfit Guide | Christening Outfits to Treasure
A christening is a special milestone in any family's calendar, and it's one that you'll look back on fondly for years to come, both in memory and captured in the photographs. So, if ever there was an occasion to get all dressed up, this is it. Our christening collections are bursting at the seams with beautiful pieces made for this most memorable of celebrations. If you're opting for a church service, we've got a choice of traditional gowns in shades of ivory and white, decorated with sweet details such as embroidery, lacework and bows — don't forget a matching bonnet.
If the dress code is more relaxed, our designers have those little looks covered too. You can really make the occasion your own by choosing shades of pastel and accessories to match — talking of matching, why not coordinate your family's outfits to create picture-perfect memories? To make your preparations for the day a bit easier, we’ve picked a few of our favourite looks from the likes of Paz Rodríguez, Beatrice & George and our Childrensalon Occasions collection to inspire the outfits, whether they're the main event or top of the guest list.
Image by Childrensalon
4 Jul 2023
Timeless & Traditional
For a traditional christening, beautiful ceremony gowns and timeless outfits are the perfect pick.
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The history of christening clothing can be dated back to around 160–220 AD. And by the 19th century, the ceremony gown we know and love today became a tradition that would truly stand the test of time. Long in length, and featuring intricate embroidery and delicate lace, a gown is the go-to choice for parents who want a traditional church ceremony. Much-loved brands like Paz Rodríguez, Sarah Louise and Artesanía Granlei are masters of those timeless designs, and you're sure to fall in love with the exquisite attention to detail these designers offer. While their feet are usually tucked away underneath the skirt, you may also want to style their look with a pair of pre-walker shoes. They'll offer a sweet finishing touch to your baby's outfit and are designed to be soft and flexible to keep tiny toes comfy all day long.
And we haven't forgotten about the big brothers and sisters. There are plenty of styles to choose from for toddlers and infants up to the age of two, so you can match their outfits and accessories in the traditional ivory and white colour palette of the gown, making for a very cute picture opportunity.
Image by Paz Rodríguez
A Modern Touch
Looking for something a little less traditional? Put a contemporary twist on their christening outfit.
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If you're a lover of traditional style but want to bring their look up to date, you can easily stick to those classic colour palettes — white, ivory and other pale hues — and simply apply them to more modern silhouettes. We spoke to Louise, Childrensalon's head of customer service, who gave us an insight into the styles that parents are buying for 2023. "We have seen a move away from the traditional christening gown to simpler styles, like sailor suits for boys and white dresses for girls," noted Louise. "I'm actually about to order a sailor suit for my little boy's christening."
If, like Louise, you're looking for something simple, a buster suit is also a sweet and stylish option for boys — no one does them quite like Beatrice & George, a brand that you'll only find here at Childrensalon. And when it comes to white and ivory dresses, there's no shortage of designs to choose from, including our own Childrensalon Occasions gown with its big bow or the simple silhouette of this one from Mebi, both of which are guaranteed to make your baby girl feel and look extra special.
Image by Beatrice & George
Family Celebrations
Throw the dress-code rulebook out of the window, add a splash of colour, and celebrate your way.
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We know that no two families are the same, and we all celebrate in different ways. So, while traditional church christenings are the perfect fit for many, Louise and the customer service team also note that naming ceremonies are growing in popularity: "this is a great alternative for parents who want to celebrate their beautiful new arrival with family and friends without a focus on religious traditions."
Without traditions and stricter dress codes in play, you can really make the day (and their outfit) your own — this is your opportunity to step away from ivory and white shades and, instead, opt for something a bit more playful and colourful. We absolutely adore the soft pastel tones of this beautiful floral baby dress from Sofija, and it'll look ever more special accessorised with a floral headband and a pair of pink shoes. For him, a smart button-down set like these from Rachel Riley and Beatrice & George will set the scene for a stylish celebration, complete with a pair of comfy bar shoes and a set of adorable baby braces from Mayoral.
Image by Sofija
