A 2025 Style Guide for Baby Boy and Girl Baptism Outfits
Centuries ago, baby boys and girls wore flowing white gowns passed down through generations for their Catholic baptism. The fabric may have been delicate, but the meaning was strong — these garments carried family stories, hopes, and blessings stitched right into the seams.
Today, that tradition continues — just with a few new choices. Parents are reimagining catholic baptism clothes in sweet and stylish ways. From classic long girls christening gowns to soft rompers and tiny tailored suits, a boy baptism outfit can be as timeless or as modern as you’d like — while still honoring the meaning behind the moment.
At Baby Beau & Belle, we’ve been handcrafting christening clothes for over 30 years. Our designs blend heirloom tradition with a touch of today — made for your memories, your photos, and most of all, your little one.
Let’s walk through what Catholic babies wear for baptism in 2025, how to choose the best outfit for your boy, and which styles our customers are loving most this year.
What Should a Baby Boy Wear for a Catholic Baptism?
Traditionally, boys were christened in long white gowns that were passed down from generation to generation. Today, the options are more diverse — and we love that! Parents now have the freedom to choose from classic boy baptism gowns, handsome rompers, or modern 3-piece christening suits, all with thoughtful details that make them perfect for such an important day.
Here at Baby Beau & Belle, we handcraft every piece in our studio using heirloom-quality materials like soft pima cotton, silk, and French lace. Our Harrison Christening Suit is a bestseller for a reason — with its clean lines, soft cotton blend, and sweet cap, it’s a charming, modern take on tradition.
What Should a Baby Girl Wear for a Catholic Baptism?
Just like the boys, baby girls have traditionally worn long white gowns for baptism — often passed down through generations. That tradition is still cherished, but today's families also have the freedom to choose from a variety of beautiful styles.
A classic lace gown is always a favorite, and our Penelope Christening Gown is beloved for its delicate lace, cotton lining, and vintage-inspired design. For a lighter option, the Ella Romper Dress or Lola Christening Dress offer sweet, shorter silhouettes that are perfect for warmer days or active little ones.
Stick with soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or silk, and finish the look with a bonnet or a keepsake accessory, like our Cream Luster Pearl Bracelet . These thoughtful touches add timeless charm and make the outfit feel extra special.
Why Should Baptism Clothes be White?
White is the most common color for baptisms — it represents innocence and purity — but light neutrals like ivory, cream, and pale blue are also lovely and totally appropriate. We often recommend soft pastels or off-whites for a fresh, photo-ready look. Avoid black or bold dark colors — save those for other occasions!
Our customers love the Ella Christening Gown or the convertible Owen Romper and Skirt Set for boys. These pieces blend tradition with practicality — the detachable skirt allows you to transition from a long ceremonial look to a more playful romper for the reception.
What Should Children Wear During a Baptism?
If you’ve waited until your little one is walking (or running!), don’t worry — we’ve got plenty of stylish options for older boys. A toddler boy baptism outfit should be a balance of comfort and formality. Many of our Christening Suits including our Elijah 3-Piece Suit and Ezra Tan 4-Piece Suit are available in extended sizes (up to 2-3T) and are tailored to keep your child comfy while looking perfectly polished.
Bonus tip: Choose an outfit that’s easy to move in — you’ll thank us when it’s photo time!
The Ezra suit comes in sizes up to 2-3T. The Penelope Lace Dress is available in sizes up to 4-5.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baptism Outfits & Catholic Baptism Traditions
Do Roman Catholics Practice Baptism?
Yes, baptism is one of the seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church and a foundational part of the faith. It marks a person’s official welcome into the Church and symbolizes spiritual cleansing and rebirth. For infants and children, the baptism ceremony is also a powerful moment for the entire family — often celebrated with loved ones, photos, and heirloom clothing passed down through generations.
What Should Adults Wear to a Baptism?
The baptismal ceremony, even though celebratory, still retains the full solemnity of the church service, if not more so. For this reason, adults attending such ceremonies should keep their clothing modest and respectful.
For most adult males, this might translate to collared shirts and a pair of pants, whether a jacket is incorporated or not. Jeans and T-shirts are generally not recommended for such an occasion, even if they might be acceptable during regular services. This goes for both sexes. Women are advised to wear modest clothing that might involve skirts, nice pants, and a good sweater or blouse.
There are plenty of options, but a good way to stay on the safe side is to avoid tight-fitting clothing, low-cut tops, and skirts whose hemlines do not go past the knee. Your top should cover up your shoulders, and any jewelry or makeup should be understated and conservative rather than flashy. Fathers and mothers might want to dress up a bit more than the guests, but the general guidelines will apply.
At What Age are Catholics Baptized?
The Sacrament of Baptism is administered to candidates of all ages, ranging from babies to grown adults seeking to join the Roman Catholic church. The issue of infant baptism is a common point of contention between non-Catholics and Catholics, with Catholics believing that baptizing infants holds no spiritual significance.
In their view, only those who are old enough to understand what’s going on around them can make such an important decision meaningfully. The Catholic Church responds to this contention by referencing the actions of the Apostles.
According to scripture, the Apostles would baptize ‘whole households’ after Pentecost, including children and babies.
In addition to this, there is documentation describing the baptism of babies taking place as early on as the 2nd century BC. Infant baptism is considered a vital sacrament due to the belief that all people come into this world marked with the stain of the Original Sin.
The Sacrament of Baptism is meant to wash away this sin, thus allowing the individual to live in a state of grace.
According to Catholics, the sooner that this can happen, the better. The Catechism of the Catholic Church seeks to address the reservations of non-Catholics concerning infant baptism by acknowledging the fact that infants cannot fully understand the mysteries of their faith, but further stating that neither are 13-year-olds or even 50-year-olds for that matter.
It is why instruction in faith and catechesis is meant to be an ongoing process throughout one’s life, allowing individuals to grow in their faith and understanding throughout their lives. In short, the Sacrament of Catholic Baptism is not a destination but a starting point.
What’s a Good Present for an Adult Getting Baptized?
When an adult or teen is baptized, gifts often take a more spiritual or meaningful tone. A personalized rosary, a beautiful leather-bound Bible, or Christening Jewelry like a classic cross necklace made in gold make thoughtful keepsakes they can treasure for years. A handwritten card with a meaningful message is always appreciated, too.
Do Boys Have to Wear White for Their Baptism?
White is the traditional choice — representing innocence and spiritual renewal — but light shades like cream, ivory, or soft blue are also perfectly appropriate. Our boy baptism outfits come in a variety of gentle tones, designed to look elegant and feel comfortable for your baby on this special day.
What Should a Baby Girl Wear Under Her Christening Dress?
Great question — and the answer often depends on the dress. The good news? Most of our gowns and dresses are thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind, so there's usually no need to add anything underneath.
For example, both our Penelope Christening Dress and Penelope Heirloom Christening Gown are made with a silky-smooth 100% ivory silk dupioni underlayer — soft against baby’s skin and beautiful in photos. And our Ella Romper Dress is crafted in a lightweight cotton gauze with an incredibly soft built-in lining, so your little one stays cozy all day.
While some families prefer a basic onesie or bloomers for extra coverage, many of our christening dresses and heirloom gowns come with soft, breathable linings that make extra layers totally optional.
What Should a Toddler Boy Wear to His Baptism?
For little ones on the move, comfort is key. A soft, structured outfit like a Christening Suit such as the Elijah offer a formal, photo-ready look while giving toddlers freedom to crawl, walk, or run as needed! Our Ezra 4-Piece Suit is another favorite — it includes a removable skirt so you can shift from traditional ceremony to party-ready in seconds.
Final Thoughts
The Roman Catholic Church has long held the institution of Catholic baptism to be a sacred and vital element of a person’s spiritual life. While the ceremony itself might be considered a time for celebration, it’s essential to uphold the seriousness of the occasion, and maintaining a modestly appropriate dress code is part of this.
However, if you decide to dress your infant, remember that the point of the ceremony goes far beyond dress codes and will influence their spiritual wellbeing for their entire lives.