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Baby special occasion outfits

Christening, photo, and special-occasion outfits.

White lace christening gown and bonnet on a wooden hanger before a painted mural of hills and cloudsSpecial occasion
  • 25brands

The quick look

the short version
  • What it is.Special occasion outfits are dressy clothes for christenings, baptisms, weddings and photos: gowns, suits, rompers and bonnets.
  • Start with 1.The typical count across published baby clothing checklists.
  • 25 brands.3 budget-friendly, 8 mid-range and 14 splurge.

What is a special occasion outfit?

Special occasion outfits are dressy clothes for christenings, baptisms, weddings and photos: gowns, suits, rompers and bonnets.

How special occasion help

  • Christening gowns and suits are often sold with a matching bonnet or hat.
  • Dressy rompers and sets cover weddings and family photos.
  • Many pieces are hand-wash or dry-clean, so check the care label.

Not the same as

Special occasion by budget

Price tier is our read of each brand's typical list prices, not a quality rating. Brands are A to Z within each lane.

Budget-friendly$ · Mostly under typical mall prices3
Mid-range$$ · Department-store pricing8
Show 4 more
Splurge$$$ · Premium and boutique pricing14
Show 10 more

All 25 brands that make special occasion

Special occasion: shop by what you care about Tap one to filter the list. Grouped by what each brand says on its own site.

Filters
Kind of brand
Brand
✓ maker says yes ✕ maker says no ? not published
ComparePriceWhere to buySizesFabricsOrganic fabric (brand says)OEKO-TEX certifiedGOTS certified
Artesania Granlei Special occasionfounded 1980. For example: Baby Girls Ivory Ceremony Dress & Bonnet SetPremium / European $$$Childrensalon––???
Baby Beau and Belle Special occasionchristening and baptism specialist. For example: Poppy Christening Gown & BonnetSpecialist $$$Own site3-6 Months and 9-12 Months100% silk dupioni lining with floral lace overlay and cotton ribbon ties (Poppy gown)✕✕✕
Beatrice & George (Childrensalon) Special occasionalso buster suits. For example: White Ceremony Gown & BonnetPremium / European $$$Childrensalon––???
Christening Day Special occasionsold at Walmart. For example: All-over lace christening gown with bonnetBig store / mass market $Walmart––???
Classic Whimsy Special occasionsmocked and monogrammed. For example: White Layette GownBoutique / indie $$Own sitePreemie, Newborn, 3M, 6M, 9M, 12M, 18M…95% cotton, 5% spandex✕✕✕
Coeur by Childrensalon Special occasionFor example: Baby Girls White Floral Organza DressPremium / European $$$Childrensalon––???
Edgehill Collection (Dillard's) Special occasionDillard's exclusive. For example: Baby Lace Christening Gown (3-24M)Big store / mass market $$Dillard's––???
Feltman Brothers Special occasionheirloom smocked dresses and christening gowns. For example: Baby Girls Pintuck and Lace Dress (3-24M)Premium / European $$$Own site, Dillard'sNB-24M (Baby Girl category label); dress…65% Poly, 35% Cotton (Diamond Smocked Dress)✕✕✕
Hip Hip Hooray Children's Boutique Special occasionDallas boutique; baptism collection with smocked bubbles and gowns. For example: Ivory Lace Gown with Satin Bows and BonnetSmall / family-owned $$$Own site, Dallas storeNewborn through young teens (store)–✕✕✕
Hresadio Special occasionmarketplace brand. For example: Baby Boy Baptism Long Sleeve Christening Romper (NB-18M)Big store / mass market $Walmart––???
Ibtom Castle Special occasionmarketplace brand. For example: Baby Boys Baptism Christening Bowtie Romper OutfitBig store / mass market $Walmart––???
Jacadi Special occasionseed record (clothing.json);. For example: Baby layette and cashmerePremium / European $$$Own US site (jacadi.us), storesNewborn 0-18 months; Toddler 6-36 monthsCashmere, wool, cotton✕✕✕
Janie and Jack Special occasionseed record (clothing.json);. For example: Special occasion baby outfits (NB-24M)Premium / European $$$Own site, storesBaby 0-24m (NB (0-10LBS), 0-3M, 3-6M…–✕✕✕
JuvieMoonDesigns Special occasionFor example: Heirloom lace baby bonnetSmall / family-ownedSold on Etsy $$Etsy (Pattern by Etsy shop)Going Home set sized Newborn to 2–✕✕✕
Kissy Kissy Special occasionalso Alexander christening suit for boys. For example: Pima Graham Christening Convertible Gown & Hat Set (3/6M)Premium / European $$$Own site, Dillard's, Neiman MarcusPreemie, NB, 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, 9M…100% Pima Cotton✕✕✕
Little Things Mean a Lot Special occasionchristening specialist. For example: Taffeta Christening Gown with Rosettes and BonnetSpecialist $$WalmartNewborn (birth to 7 lbs), 0-3 months…100% polyester (one collared romper), 65% polyester 35% cotton (diaper cover)✕✕✕
Martin Aranda Special occasionheirloom knits; not labeled christening. For example: Baby Girl Blouse & Bloomer Set; knit bonnetsPremium / European $$MacroBaby, Hip Hip Hooray––???
Noralee Special occasionRylee + Cru sister brand. For example: Kit Dress White (baptism outfits for babies)Boutique / indie $$ryleeandcru.com3M to 2-3YLinen, cotton✕✕✕
Oli Prik Copenhagen Special occasionfamily-run, 30+ years in christening gowns; also Pisa bonnet. For example: Avignon Christening Gown (1-12M collections)Small / family-owned $$$Own site (USD option)Christening gowns for 1-3, 3-6, 6-9…Gown fabric✕✕✕
Patachou Special occasionFor example: Ivory Tulle Chiffon Ceremony Gown SetPremium / European $$$Childrensalon––???
Paz Rodriguez Special occasiontraditional christening knits. For example: Knit Bonnet LediciaPremium / European $$$Own site (USD option), ChildrensalonBaby girl (0-24m); Baby Boy (0-24m)Knit bonnet LEDICIA: 100% acrylic✕✕✕
Petit Ami Special occasionalso eyelet christening gown. For example: Baby Boys Christening Knickers & Bonnet Set (3-24M)Boutique / indie $$Dillard's3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months…Polyester/cotton (one christening gown on Dillard's)✕✕✕
Rachel Riley Special occasionsmocked. For example: Baby Girls White Smocked Cotton DressPremium / European $$$Own site, Childrensalon––✕✕✕
Sarah Louise Special occasionhand-embroidered ceremony gowns. For example: Ceremony Gown & Bonnet SetPremium / European $$$Childrensalon––???
SUMACLOTHING Special occasionFor example: Hand-Smocked Christening Gown + Bonnet (0-18M)Small / family-ownedSold on Etsy $$Etsy (Pattern by Etsy shop)–Hand-smocked cotton, shantung, linen✕✕✕

What to look for

  1. Check closures and lining fabric for comfort. Many dressy pieces are dry-clean or hand-wash.
  2. Sizes vary by brand. Many brands size by weight and height, not age. See each brand's sizes

How many special occasion to buy

Typical counts from 11 published baby clothing checklists, adjusted to your answers.

How far ahead are you shopping?

Your call. Some parents buy the first size and shop as baby grows; others stock up a year out. Babies grow at their own pace, so keep tags and receipts on later sizes in case you need to swap.

How often do you do laundry?

No washer at home, or a trip to the laundromat? Pick about once a week.

How we count
  • Each number is the typical (middle) count across the checklists. Most give one total for the newborn stage, so Newborn and 0–3 months share one number.
  • The counts assume laundry every 2–3 days. About once a week roughly doubles it (Babylist, Nurture&). A winter baby gets 2 extra pairs of socks (Babylist).
  • Each size is worn for about 3 months starting from the due month. Snowsuits, mittens and outerwear count only for sizes worn in fall or winter; sun hats and swimwear only in spring or summer.

Before you buy

four things to check
  • The smallest size.8 of the 13 brands with a size list here start at newborn or smaller.
  • The fiber.It is on the product page and the sewn-in label.
  • The regular price.Sale prices come and go. The table here lists regular prices.
  • The return window.Check how long the store gives you to send a size back.

Sizes by brand

from each brand's own size list

Each bar shows the sizes a brand lists. Fit still varies, so check the brand's own chart before you buy.

Show brands that make
BrandPreemieNB0–33–66–99–1212–1818–242T+
Baby Beau and Belle3–69–12
Classic WhimsyPreemie to 2T+
Feltman BrothersNB to 2T+
Hip Hip Hooray Children's BoutiqueNB
JacadiNB to 2T+
Janie and JackNB to 18–24
JuvieMoonDesignsNB
Kissy KissyPreemie to 18–24
Little Things Mean a LotNB to 18–24
Noralee2T+
Oli Prik Copenhagen9–12
Paz Rodriguez0–3 to 18–24
Petit Ami0–3 to 9–12
Ask the meadow

Questions about special occasion / christening / photos

Answers come from each maker's published specs. Safety and health questions link to the agency or medical source.

What is a special occasion outfit?

Special occasion outfits are dressy clothes for christenings, baptisms, weddings and photos: gowns, suits, rompers and bonnets. Christening gowns and suits are often sold with a matching bonnet or hat.

What is the difference between special occasion outfits and dresses?

Everyday dresses are the simpler, casual kind. Baby dresses are one-piece outfits with a skirt.

What sizes do baby special occasion outfits come in?

It depends on the brand. 13 of the 25 brands here list their sizes, and the size chart on this page shows which brands start at preemie or newborn and how far each one goes.

Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.

Ask the grown-ups

safety answers from the agencies, not from us

Finish the outfit

what goes with special occasion

See every kind of baby clothes