Clean dress pantsOn the same Orthodox parish’s list for men and for women.
Collared, button-up shirtFirst on a Pennsylvania Orthodox parish’s list for men at its services.
Cotton, linen or rayon in summerAn Orthodox parish’s advice for staying covered in the heat: fabrics that breathe.
Dress shoes or sandals with backsFine at one Orthodox parish, as long as they are clean.
Head scarf, if the parish asks for oneSome Orthodox parishes keep the custom for women, one parish notes. Ask before you go.
Jeans, where the church says they are fineAt one Texas Presbyterian church some people come to worship in jeans and T-shirts, its page says.
Khakis and a short-sleeved collared shirt in summerWhat one Orthodox parish suggests for men in hot weather.
Modest-length dress or skirtA Greek community guide’s first choice for women at an Orthodox christening.
Pantsuit, at a less traditional churchFine, a Greek community guide says. At a more traditional church it advises a dress.
Skirt that reaches the kneeAn Orthodox parish in Pennsylvania asks for knee length or longer at its services.
Smart outfit you already ownThe Church of England says guests usually dress smartly, but need not dress up for church.
Suit and tie for a christeningA Greek community guide’s choice for men at an Orthodox christening, or business casual.
Sunday best or business casualWhat most people wear to worship at one Texas Presbyterian church.
Tie and coatNot required at one Orthodox parish, its page says, but always appropriate.
Top with sleeves, or a sweater over bare shouldersOne Orthodox parish asks women to cover their shoulders in church.
Whatever is comfortableThe first answer on one Texas Presbyterian church’s page about what to wear to worship.
For the family and the baby 9
Any outfit that is mainly whiteCatholic parishes in Chicago and Wisconsin say a baby’s white garment need not be a gown.
Celebration clothes for the parentsMany families dress up as for any celebration, the Church of England says. No rule requires it.
Colors other than white or redWhite and red are common, not required, one Arizona Catholic parish tells families.
Family heirloom gownChristening gowns are often handed down, Wikipedia’s article on baptismal clothing says.
Outfit the child is comfortable inThe Church of England says a special outfit the child finds more comfortable is fine.
Red tie as an accent, for a boyOne Arizona parish suggests it at its Easter Vigil. Red is its color for confirmation.
Traditional christening gownMany parents like one, the Church of England says, but it is not compulsory.
White baptismal gown or formal church clothesEither suits a baby or a young child, one Arizona Catholic parish tells families.
White gown, bonnet and blanketFor a baby in the Eastern Orthodox Church the robe may be these three, Wikipedia notes.
For an adult going into the water 12
Black pants and a plain black T-shirtRequired of teens and adults at one Arizona Catholic parish’s Easter Vigil.
Dark capris or leggingsWhat women usually wear at one Virginia church, with the shirt it provides.
Dark shortsMost people wear dark shorts or pants with a dark T-shirt, one Texas church says.
Dark swim trunksWhat men usually wear at one Virginia church, which hands out the shirt.
Dark T-shirtAsked for by churches in Texas and Arizona that baptize by full immersion.
Hair tie, if your hair is longOn one Texas church’s checklist for baptism day.
Shoes that slip off fastOne Arizona parish asks for a plain shoe you can take off quickly and slip back on.
Shorts the church providesTwo large churches, in California and North Carolina, supply shorts as well as a shirt.
Shorts you are comfortable getting wet inOne Arizona church’s only request. It supplies the shirt and the towel.
T-shirt the church hands youChurches in California, Arizona, Virginia and North Carolina provide one. Ask yours.
Water shoes, sandals or flip-flopsFor walking around before and after, one Texas church’s checklist says.
White robe, put on after the waterOne Arizona parish gives the newly baptized a white alb to wear for the rest of the Mass.
To bring for the water 9
Bag for your wet clothesTwo Texas churches list a bag or a sack for them.
Bag with your name on itOne Arizona parish asks for the dry clothes in a labeled bag, so it reaches the right room.
Dressier outfit for the photographsOne Arizona parish says to bring a second change if you want to dress up for pictures.
Dry underwearOne North Carolina church supplies undergarments for the water. Elsewhere, pack a dry set.
Full change of clothesOn the list at churches in Texas, Arizona and Virginia. One warns you will go home wet without it.
Large towelChurches in Texas and Arizona ask you to bring one. Others hand them out.
Light-colored pants and a good shirt to change intoWhat one Arizona parish suggests men change into. It need not be too formal.
Modest dress for afterwardsOne Arizona parish’s suggestion for women, or light pants and a nice shirt.
Toiletries for afterwardsOn one Texas church’s checklist, with the towel and the change of clothes.
Leave at home 7
No brightly colored sandals at the fontIf you wear sandals for an immersion, one Arizona parish asks for a dark pair.
No low neckline or open backOne Orthodox parish asks women to avoid both in church.
No shirt with words or picturesOne Arizona parish wants the black T-shirt plain. An Orthodox parish says no logos in church.
No shorts or jeans at an Orthodox serviceOne Pennsylvania parish rules both out, even in summer.
No skin-tight clothesAn Orthodox parish asks men and women alike for looser, modest clothes.
No strapless top or short skirtOn one Orthodox parish’s list of what not to wear to its services.
No thin or pale clothes in the waterTwo churches ask for cloth that stays opaque when soaked. Dark colors do.
How it works
What should I wear for a baptism? As a guest, something smart you already own. If you are going under the water, dark clothes and a full change. These 53 things follow what churches tell their own families and guests.
Read the full guide
Why the water clothes are dark and the robe is white
One Arizona Catholic parish that baptizes teens and adults by full immersion explains its rule this way: black clothes go into the water and a white alb goes on afterwards, a passage from darkness into light. Wikipedia’s article on baptismal clothing says the Eastern Orthodox Church puts a white robe on the newly baptized as they come up out of the water, and that by tradition it is worn for eight days. A Texas church gives the plainer reason: dark clothes cannot be seen through when wet.
Ask the family which church it is and whether the baptism is by immersion. Those two answers settle most of the outfit.
Questions and answers
What should I wear for water baptism?
A dark T-shirt with dark shorts or pants is what churches in Texas and Arizona ask for. Bring a towel and a full change of clothes, and ask first, because some churches hand out the shirt.
What should I wear to a christening?
Something smart, the Church of England says, though nobody has to dress up for church. For the baby, many parents choose a traditional gown, but it is not compulsory.
Do you have to wear white to a baptism?
Not at the churches listed here. White is the custom for the person baptized: two Catholic parishes ask only that a baby’s clothes be mainly white, and a third says white and red are common, not required.
Can I wear jeans to a baptism?
It depends on the church. One Texas Presbyterian church says some people come to worship in jeans. One Orthodox parish asks for no jeans or shorts at its services. Find out which church it is, then read its website.