So you’re a godparent—congratulations! This is a huge honor and a big responsibility. Part of your duties as a godparent include attending your godchild’s baptism. But what do you wear?
After all, it is a big event where you don’t want to look too fancy but also not dressed up wrong.
And while there’s no strict dress code, there are certainly some no-nos.
Baptism is more of a ceremony where you should be in with your soul more than showing off your fashion style, but I want you to feel confident, girl! So let’s see what’s appropriate and what is definitely a no-no!
What is Baptism?
It’s a special ceremony where someone symbolically accepts Jesus as their savior and is welcomed into the Christian faith. Some churches prefer to fully submerge the person being baptized in water, while others pour or sprinkle water on them.
Baptism is the act of using water on a person’s forehead for purification and admission to the Christian church. It’s a way to show faith in Jesus without using words. Baptism can take place both in an infant’s life and in a young adult’s one – around the age of eighteen years old. However, there is no age limit for getting baptized.
What to consider while choosing what to wear to a baptism?
The first thing you need to consider when choosing what to wear to a baptism is the location of the ceremony. If the baptism is taking place in a church, you’ll want to dress more formally. A nice dress or skirt and blouse for women, and slacks and a collared shirt for men, would be appropriate.
If the ceremony is taking place outdoors or in someone’s home, you can dress more casually. In this case, jeans and a nice top would be fine.
Another thing to consider is the time of day. If the ceremony is taking place in the morning or afternoon, you’ll want to dress accordingly. For example, if it’s an outdoor ceremony taking place in the morning, you might want to wear something like a sundress or light sweater. If the ceremony is taking place in the evening, you might want to dress up more than you would during the day.
Of course, you’ll also want to take into account your own personal style when choosing what to wear. You want to be comfortable in what you’re wearing so that you can focus on enjoying the momentous occasion.
What is appropriate to wear to baptism as a guest?
First of all, let me assure you that showing up in any clothing is better than not showing up at all! But since we always want to show our best selves and be respectful of the occasion, what should we wear?
First of all, it’s important to consider the level of formality of the event. Is it at a church or a more casual setting like someone’s home? Either way, I recommend avoiding too much skin – no crop tops or mini-skirts, ladies, and gentlemen, leave those tank tops at home.
Also, keep your attire modest – no low-cut dresses or short shorts. You want to show respect for the religious ceremony taking place. As for what is appropriate to wear to a baptism – anything from dressy sundresses or skirts with blouses to slacks and button-downs are good options.
Bottom line – go with something relatively conservative and tasteful. And don’t forget to bring a cardigan in case the air conditioning is blasting!
What color to wear to a baptism?
The traditional color for baptism is white, which symbolizes purity and new beginnings. However, wearing a pop of color, like a pastel, pink or blue, can also be lovely and appropriate. No, pop of color doesn’t mean bright colors like neon or hot pink.
Patterns are usually not recommended since they can be distracting and draw attention away from the ceremony. As far as dress codes go, it’s always best to err on the side of being conservative rather than revealing too much skin.
What to wear to a baptism as a guest
As a guest, dresses are always a safe bet. They are comfortable, easy to style, and perfect for a casually formal event like baptism. But that’s not your only option. You can swap the dresses for pants or jumpsuits as well.
There’s this question I get a lot – Can I wear jeans to baptism? Well, I’ll say that Baptism is definitely a special occasion worth dressing up for. So jeans or not really depends on the context and tone of the event. If it’s a more relaxed, informal baptism in someone’s backyard, then jeans might be appropriate. But if it’s a formal ceremony held in a church with an officiant and guests dressed in their Sunday best, then you might want to opt for something slightly dressier – like dress pants or even a nice sundress.
So, now when that’s sorted, let’s give you the best baptism outfit ideas, and this is not only about dresses!
1. a neutral-colored jumpsuit
Jumpsuits are such a classy alternative to dresses, they look sophisticated, and you don’t have to worry about mixing and matching pieces. Wear them with neutral-colored heels and a bag, and you’ll be good to get them baptized!
2. sweater over a slip dress
Slip dresses are such a classic, you can style them in so many ways! I love throwing a sweater over a dress, but if it’s summer, you can pair it with a t-shirt for an edgy casual look.
Or, instead of slip dresses, you can go for satin skirts and pair them with casual dressy tops. It’ll make a super cute baptism outfit.
3. pastel pantsuit
No, pantsuits won’t be so formal. They are an ideal outfit to wear to baptism, comfortable enough and look super stylish!
4. lacey top + pants
Lace is a beautiful texture made for events like baptisms. It’s soft and formal. Pair it with neutral-toned wide leg pants and you’ll have an ensemble that’ll turn heads!
5. white shirt + skirt
Okay, let me just say it: a skirt and white shirt outfit is the perfect choice for a baptism. Hear me out – what could be more classically elegant or appropriate for such a sacred ceremony? Plus, it’s versatile: dress it up with heels, or go for a more relaxed vibe with flats.
And if you’re worried about being too casual or not dressed up enough, throw on some statement jewelry or a pretty scarf. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with this timeless look!
6. lace dress + blazer
Oh girl, how pretty is this dress? I think lace is just the choice you need to pick if you don’t know what to wear to a baptism. You can find so many lace dresses to suit your style and weather.
I love the color coordination of the tan blazer and boots – such a classic!
7. white top + colored midi skit or turtle neck + mini skirt
Oh how much I love these baptism outfits. They are all so elegant and beautiful, I just can’t even!
Lace dresses are a no-brainer. But if you wanna wear something unique, try pairing midi skirts with neutral tops for a stunning baptism attire.
And if you wanna go all out but still respect the church, color block your way through! Covered tops and skirts make a cute outfit that you’ll not regret.
8. bright colored pants + cami top
If the event is more casual in someone’s backyard, you can probably go around having some fun with your baptism outfit. A bright colored pants and white (the baptism color) is such great outfit. It’s flirty and looks very chic.
9. cowl neck cami top + pastel pants
Can we please take a moment to appreciate this outfit? The satin material adds a bit of elegance while the cowl neck gives a relaxed yet feminine touch. And who can resist blush-colored pants? They add just the right pop of color without being too over-the-top.
Plus, this look is perfect for those post-baptism brunch plans! So make sure to add this outfit to your wardrobe rotation for all your religious occasion fashion needs. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!
10. white shirt + pastel-hued pants
For a more casually, formal vibe, pick your pants with a more subdued color like pastels and neutrals. You can never go wrong with a white button-down shirt paired with the right bottoms.
11. slit dress + blazer
A formal dress is what probably comes to your mind when you think of baptism attire, doesn’t it? A dress is like fine and gorgeous, but if you think you cannot get away with this much skin, throw a blazer over your shoulders, and you’ll be good to go.
12. sweater + pleated skirt
Pleated skirts are having a moment right now. I like them in midi length and I think they make a great outfit for baptism. Either pair them with a dressy top for summer or a fuzzy sweater like this for winter.
13. slip dress + long coat
Trust me, if you’re struggling with what to wear to a baptism or any religious event, consider slipping into a slip dress and throwing on a long coat. This conservative yet stylish outfit will make you feel confident while still respecting the dress code at the event.
Plus, the added layer of the coat allows you to easily transition from a day event to a night out afterward. Bonus: it’s also perfect for work events or date nights! So go ahead, and take your style to church with this go-to outfit. Trust me – the fashion gods will approve.
14. floral dress
Floral dresses are easily one of the most common dresses for baptism. Not only are they cute and feminine, but their nature-inspired print makes them appropriate for a religious event like a baptism. And the best part about floral dresses is that there are so many options—from mini to maxi, from sleeveless to long-sleeved.
So whatever your personal style or what the weather may be, there’s a floral dress perfect for you and your little one’s special day. Plus, didn’t we all learn from Ms. Frizzle that flowers symbolize life and new beginnings? Now that’s a fashion statement I can get behind!
15. jumpsuit
As already mentioned above, jumpsuits are a brilliant option as they give off a cool, effortless vibe while still being appropriate for formal occasions. Plus, they’re comfortable and easy to style – just add some statement earrings, a chic belt, and a pair of heels and you’re good to hit the church.
16. a sundress
I can vouch for a trusty sun dress all my life. They are the perfect combination of cute and comfortable, sun dresses are an easy go-to for events like baptisms, baby showers, or even a day at the park. And with so many styles and patterns to choose from, you’re bound to find one that fits your unique taste and emphasizes your best features.
So say goodbye to stress-induced outfit planning and hello to carefree summer style with a beautiful sun dress for baptism.
what should you not wear to a baptism?
Yes, there may not be a fixed dress code, but there definitely are things you don’t want to wear. For instance, mini skirts and inappropriately short shorts. After all, it’s a religious ceremony where you need to show some respect. It’s also best to avoid anything too low-cut or overly revealing.
Conclusion on what to wear to a baptism
There are many ways to dress when you don’t know what to wear to a Baptism, but I hope these baptism outfit ideas have helped give you some inspiration for what to wear to a baptism! Just remember to keep it modest, respectful, and sophisticated. And most importantly, have fun! Celebrate this special occasion with family and friends and enjoy every minute of it.
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