Baby girl christening dress with cape

3-Piece Ivory Set with Dress, Cape and Bonnet, for Christenings, Baptisms and Naming Days, Newborn to 24 Months

A baby girl christening dress with cape like this one takes the guesswork out of dressing your daughter for one of her first big family occasions. Rather than piecing together a dress, a cover-up and a hat separately, this ivory 3-piece set gives you everything in one coordinated outfit: a sleeveless dress, a sheer lace-edged cape and a matching bonnet.

It is designed for christenings, baptisms, naming days and dedication ceremonies, and works just as well for the family photos and gatherings that come afterwards. If you are still deciding on the right outfit, our guide to christening dresses for baby girls covers a range of styles worth comparing before you choose.

What Makes This Set Special

The dress itself has a round neckline and a fitted, high-waisted bodice with delicate flower lace appliqué across the front. Underneath the beaded trim at the neckline, the skirt falls in layers of soft tulle to knee length, giving it a fuller, more formal shape than a plain cotton gown.

Over the top, a sheer cape ties at the neck with a ribbon bow and drapes down over the shoulders, edged in the same floral lace as the dress. It lifts the whole outfit from a simple dress into something that looks considered for a formal occasion, while still being light enough not to overheat your baby underneath.

The bonnet finishes the set with a soft ruffled brim, keeping to the traditional look expected at most christenings while giving a little extra warmth on the day.

• 3-piece set: sleeveless dress, sheer lace cape and matching bonnet
• Round neckline with a beaded trim
• Delicate flower lace appliqué on the bodice, cape and hem
• High-waisted A-line silhouette
• Knee-length, layered tulle skirt for fullness
• Cape ties at the neck with a ribbon bow
• Ruffled bonnet with a soft, traditional brim
• Hidden back zip on the dress for easy dressing
• Sizes from newborn to 24 months
• Suitable for christenings, baptisms, naming days and family photos

Fabric and Quality

The set is made from polyester and tulle, chosen to be light and breathable against a baby’s skin rather than stiff or scratchy. Because most christenings happen indoors and involve a fair amount of holding and passing around, comfort matters as much as how the dress looks in photos.

The lace appliqué on the bodice and cape is stitched on rather than printed, which gives it a raised, textured finish. You can read more about how lace behaves and how to look after it in our guide to lace fabric. The layered tulle skirt is what gives the dress its fuller shape, and our tulle care guide has tips on keeping it looking crisp between wears.

Choosing the Right Fit and Style

Babies grow quickly in the first two years, so it is worth ordering close to the actual date of the christening rather than months in advance if you can help it. If the date is still some way off, sizing up slightly gives more room to grow into rather than risking an outfit that is too snug on the day.

Our baby size guide has more detail on how our baby sizing runs, and if you are new to buying for this age group, our guide to how children’s clothes sizes work explains how these age labels generally translate to real measurements.

Size Guide

This set is available in five sizes, from 0-3 months up to 18-24 months. Always compare your baby’s current measurements against the table below rather than relying on age alone, since babies of the same age can vary quite a bit in size.

Perfect for These Occasions

White and ivory have been the traditional colours for baptism outfits for generations, largely as a symbol of a new start. This set keeps to that tradition while still feeling current rather than old-fashioned.

It works for christenings and baptisms across most Christian traditions, since the terms are often used to describe the same kind of ceremony depending on the denomination. It also suits naming days, dedication ceremonies and blessings, which follow a similar format without necessarily being a formal baptism. If you are still planning the day itself, our guides on choosing the perfect christening gown and planning a christening on a budget cover more of what goes into the day beyond the outfit.

Beyond the ceremony itself, the set works well for the family photos and gatherings that usually follow, and for many families, a piece like this becomes a keepsake that gets brought out again for a younger sibling’s christening later on.

Comfort and Fit

Christening days tend to run long, between the ceremony itself, photos and a family gathering afterwards, so the outfit needs to hold up to several hours of being worn, held and passed between relatives.

The sleeveless cut and lightweight tulle keep the dress from feeling heavy or hot, while the hidden back zip makes it straightforward to dress and undress a wriggling baby without any fuss. The cape lifts off easily if your baby gets too warm partway through the day, without needing to change the whole outfit.

Product Specifications

Complete the Look

This set is designed to work as a complete outfit on its own, but a couple of small additions can make it even more practical for the day. In cooler months, a soft cardigan or shawl over the top between the car and the church keeps your baby warm without covering up the cape underneath. In warmer months, the set works well on its own with nothing extra needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

You Might Also Like

If you would like to compare a few more christening styles before deciding, these are worth a look:

• Baby Girl Christening Dress in Ivory
• Baby Girl Christening Gown
• Baby Girl Lace Christening Gown with Bonnet
• The Pearl Christening Set
• The Heirloom Christening Set