Baptismal Gowns

Retailers selling long baptismal gowns for infants

The baptismal gown is the most traditional garment in infant clothing: a long white gown, often reaching well below the baby's feet, worn for baptism and christening ceremonies and then preserved as a family heirloom. Retailers divide gowns by fabric and workmanship. Cotton batiste gowns are light, breathable and washable, the practical heirloom choice. Silk gowns carry a soft luster for formal ceremonies and portraits. Lace gowns, including gowns trimmed with family or reproduction lace, sit at the most elaborate end, alongside hand-smocked and embroidered styles where the decoration is worked by hand. Many gowns are sold with a matching slip, bonnet and sometimes booties, and some allow a name and date to be embroidered on the slip, beginning the gown's record as it passes between children. Length is a style choice rather than a fit requirement, since the gown drapes over whoever holds the baby, but the bodice must fit the baby's chest comfortably on the ceremony date, so sizing follows infant weight and length charts. The specialists here stock gowns across the range from simple washable batiste to heirloom silk, with the accessories that complete each style.

Long white baptismal gowns with lace and smocking draped over a display stand in a specialty shop, garments only

Children's Baptism Gown Stores - find a store selling baptism gowns

Children's Formal Clothing Stores  Children's Clothing Stores  Clothing Retail Stores

  Christening Boutique : they have been in business since 1989. They are family owned and proud of it! They try to keep all of your transaction simple and fast. They always strive to satisfy their customer's needs. Whether that be filling their requests or directing them to other resources, it is always done with a great sense of pride and efficiency. Their goal is to provide you with christening gowns and baptismal gowns which are of the highest quality and craftsmanship.

  Grannie Threads : they specialize in handmade Infant Baptism / Christening gowns and outfits for boys and girls, as well as special occasion dresses for babies & toddlers. They also offer stunning Barbie dresses and beautiful wall hangings. More than 50 years' experience and creativity have been put into their items. High quality materials, attention to details and a love for beautiful designs combine to give you exceptional and unique products. Special orders are welcome - they have many patterns available. Feel free to contact them and they will create something for your Baptism or Christening needs.

  Heaven Sent Baby  : Custom made Christening Gowns and special occasion wear for your child. Marcy specializes in elegance for any occasion. Christening Gowns, Baptismal, Flower Girls, First Communions,and sadly Burial Gowns. Her products are all custom, hand made garments, made to your specifications. She will create whatever your dreams are and will send you digital photos as the project progresses if you so desire. Marcy Brumaghim Address: 154 West Gate Rd Caribou, Me. 04736 Phone 207-328-4520 e-mail: Marcy@heavensentbaby.com  

  LittleGirlDresses.com  Little Girl Dresses.com offers discount flower girl dresses, Christening gowns from Little Things Mean a Lot, junior bridesmaid dresses, Communion dresses by Sweetie Pie, ring bearer attire, boys sailor suits, girls sailor dresses, bris gowns, baptism gowns, Christmas dresses and special occasion dresses, outfits, apparel and accessories. Their beautiful little girl dress selection, unbeatable pricing, and superior customer service makes your online shopping experience quick and easy.

  Little Mercado : Special Collections by Little Mercado is a small family store designed with the wise shopper in mind. Theye offer clothing and accessories for special occassions for all ages: preemie, infant, toddler, Baptism, Christening, First Communion, flower girl, dancewear, boy's suits and tuxedos. Special Collections has been serving the north Texas area for over 10 years.

  Little Things Mean a Lot : Little Things Mean a Lot offers christening and baptism gowns, dresses, rompers, and bonnets for babies, sold through their own online store.

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Heirloom Workmanship and Everyday Practicality

What separates an heirloom gown from a simple one is handwork: smocking that gathers the bodice in stitched patterns, embroidery at the yoke and hem, pintucks, and lace insertion set into the fabric rather than sewn on top. These techniques survive decades because they are structural as much as decorative, and specialty retailers describe them precisely so families can judge quality at a distance. Machine-finished gowns in good batiste offer the same silhouette at lower cost and with easier care, a sensible choice when the gown is bought for one child and one day.

Fittings for a gown are really about timing. Order early enough to allow exchange if the baby grows faster than expected, try the gown on over the slip and a diaper, and check that armholes and neckline sit comfortably with room for the baby to be held and passed between arms during the service. Keep the gown hanging or boxed flat until the day, steam batiste lightly if needed, and never hang silk by its shoulders for long periods. After the ceremony, cleaning before storage is the single step that decides whether the gown stays white for grandchildren.

Common Questions

How long should a baptismal gown be?

Traditional gowns extend well past the baby's feet, commonly 28 to 38 inches from shoulder to hem, and the length is a matter of family taste and how formal the ceremony is. Longer gowns photograph dramatically and suit heirloom intentions; slightly shorter gowns are easier to manage with an active older baby.

Silk or cotton batiste: which gown fabric is better?

Batiste is lighter, breathes well and can be gently washed, making it the practical heirloom. Silk has a richer sheen for portraits but needs careful cleaning and storage. Both are traditional; choose by season, by how the gown will be kept, and by whether several children are expected to wear it.

Can one gown serve several children in a family?

Yes, that is the classic heirloom pattern. Choose durable fabric and construction, store the gown cleaned and wrapped in acid-free tissue, and record each child's name and baptism date on the slip or a sewn-in label. Retailers can often supply a fresh bonnet or slip for each child while the gown itself continues.

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