If your little one’s Christening is coming up, you’ll be looking to choose the right outfit. Whether you’re looking for something contemporary or a traditional Christening dress, there’s options to suit any child and to match your own tastes, too. Your little boy or girl will look beautiful on their big day, and the right gown can be passed down through your family for generations to come.

What colour should the dress be?

If you’re looking for a classic traditional gown for a Church ceremony, you’ll want a white dress. In the Christian faith, white symbolises purity and the new life born into the Church. Going for a more modern naming ceremony rather than a religious rite? You can choose from a wide range of colours for the outfit: pink and blue are common choices for baby girls and boys. If you’re worried about putting white on a baby, ivory is very similar while being more forgiving when it comes to stains.

For little girls in particular, the white dress is very important as it is the first important white dress she will own. If you are a Catholic family, she will have her First Communion dress before her teens, and then when she gets married the white dress becomes very important again. White is a very important colour for religious communities, and the dress forms part of the ceremony. However, if you prefer to choose a simple outfit in different colours, a white shawl over the baby can provide the same symbolism.

Picking a style for the outfit

Typically, Christening dresses are very long and made of silk or a similar material. Dresses are chosen for both boys and girls, with shorter styles available for boys. In recent years, white romper suits and three or four piece suits have become much more common. The gowns are very beautiful, and you’ll want to keep your baby’s outfit looking gorgeous. Consider adding a bib to protect against dribbles and feeding spills, and it might be worth taking a second, more simple outfit for any celebrations after the service.

Whichever dress you choose, make sure it’s something that your baby can be comfortable in. With the ceremony and the party afterward, it can be a long day for a little one. A hot, uncomfortable outfit will leave the baby feeling upset and might cause tears and tantrums. Picking the right outfit will help towards making sure that the day runs smoothly.

Creating a family heirloom

You might already have a Christening dress in your family, from previous generations. Ask your relatives, and see if there is an outfit that your baby could wear for their big day. Do you want to start a family tradition with the gown you choose? Pick a style that is unlikely to date, perhaps a simple dress. Go for white or ivory, so that the dress will be gender neutral for future boys and girls. Make sure that you store the outfit carefully after your own baby’s Christening, so that it remains in great condition. You can even include Christening memories in the box for future generations to discover, such as photographs of your child in the dress and a copy of the Order of Service for the Baptism.