Does a christening gown have to be white?
Robert Miller
Updated on March 25, 2026
If the christening is being held at a traditional church then white is highly recommended. An alternative to white is a very light color like off-white, gray or baby blue for a boys baptism outfit or pink accent or creams for a girls christening gown or dress.
Why is a christening gown white?
Christening gowns historically have been white or a shade of white. White is symbolic of purity and a renewal of innocence. In modern times christening gown designers have added a bit of color to gowns by adding bows or lace that are either light pink or blue.
Do babies still wear christening gowns?
Traditional for a baby at a Christening is a long white or cream gown, which is regaining popularity after the christenings of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. If your family are Christians they might have a gown passed down through the generations that your child could wear to make the day even more special.
What do babies wear under christening gown?
In cold weather it’s definitely a good idea to put a white singlet, slip or body suit underneath your babies christening gown to keep them warm. This will also help to keep them comfortable and keep their skin from rubbing on their christening gown. Some christening gowns come with an additional white slip.
What color should a christening gown be?
Christening dresses and outfits can be pastels too. Colors such as light pink, light blue, peach, pale yellow, or green are often preferred after white as these are cool shades and closer to white. The pastel colors make the outfits lighter, hence making it comfortable for the baby to wear them.
What Colour should a christening dress be?
Colour. White is the traditional colour of choice. Throughout history white has been the colour of an infants’ Christening gown. White symbolises purity and new life in the Christian faith.
What is the white cloth worn by babies at their christening?
baptismal gown
The traditional clothing for a child being baptized into the Roman Catholic faith is a baptismal gown, a very long, white infants’ garment now made especially for the ceremony of christening and usually only worn then.
What is the difference between a baptism and christening?
Christening refers to the naming ceremony (to “christen” means to “give a name to”) where as baptism is one of seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. Baptism represents a deliberate act of identification with the person of Jesus Christ and his Church.
Does a christening gown have to be long?
Christening Gowns do not have to be long. Standard christening gowns for boys and christening gowns for girls are usually 26 to 38 inches long and can go up to 40 inches (100cm).
How long are christening gowns?
28″-36″
A christening gown is usually 28″-36″ in length. A christening dress is shorter than to the tip of the toes but still can be fairly long – even to mid-calf. The shorter style is used frequently for an older child. Everybody that goes through a christening isn’t a newborn baby.
Who was the first Royal to wear a christening gown?
Princess Margaret of Connaught wears the British gown in 1882, held by her grandmother Queen Victoria. A royal christening gown is an item of baptismal clothing used by a royal family at family christenings. Among those presently using such a gown are the royal families of the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden.
Who was the designer of the Dutch christening gown?
The doopjurk (lit. christening gown) is an item of clothing used by the Dutch royal family at every christening. The original gown was commissioned by Queen Emma for the christening of her daughter Princess Wilhelmina in 1880.
When was the dabskjole first worn at a christening?
The replica gown was first used on 19 April 2008 at James, Viscount Severn ‘s christening, and has been in use ever since. The gown’s most recent use was the christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in July 2019. Prince Frederick of Denmark wears the dåbskjole at his christening in 1899, held by his great-grandfather, Christian IX of Denmark.
When was the replica of Elizabeth II’s wedding gown made?
Elizabeth II commissioned a replica of the 1841 gown which was first used for the christening of her youngest grandson, James, Viscount Severn, in 2008; this replica gown is the one in use as of 2019. The gown was most recently used for the christening of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in July 2019.