Graduation, Christening and Communion Outfits

Guests and mothers at a graduation, a christening, a first communion or an Easter service wear a knee length or midi dress, or pants with a blouse. Many churches ask for covered shoulders. Below, Luna notes which pieces cover the shoulders and arms and which need a jacket, with dress lengths measured from the neck.

For the ceremonies, read what to wear to a quinceañera, a Sweet 16 or a first communion and what to wear to a Bat or Bar Mitzvah.

What the dress code means at a graduation and in church

A graduation asks for smart daytime clothes. Wear a dress at or below the knee, or tailored pants with a blouse, and shoes you can walk in across a campus. An outdoor ceremony is long and often in full sun, so choose a breathable fabric and a hem that sits well in a folding chair. A christening, a first communion, a confirmation and an Easter service all take place in church. Many parishes expect covered shoulders and a hem at or below the knee. Some ask for nothing at all, so ask the parish or the family when you are unsure. White is for the child at a christening or a first communion, so a guest wears a color or a print. At a graduation white is allowed, unless the graduates of that school wear white themselves.

Dresses with sleeves that cover the shoulders

• The Iris A-Line Midi Dress in Blush Floral ($625) has a high neck, long sleeves, a slim belt and an asymmetrical hem. The large floral print is cream, charcoal and rose on blush. It measures 48” from the neck to the longest point of the hem on a size 2. It covers more than any other dress here.
• The Olga Wrap Dress in Navy ($695) is a knee length wrap dress with short sleeves and a notched lapel collar. Gold tone buttons close it under a buckled belt. It measures 39” from the neck on a size 2.
• The Julia Elegant Midi Dress in Navy Floral ($695) has short sleeves, a soft draped neckline and a wide belt with a round buckle. Its white bodice shades into a navy floral skirt, so most of the dress reads as navy and print. It measures 46” from the neck on a size 2.
• The Jody Lace A-Line Dress in Bordeaux ($550) is a knee length A-line in deep wine with long sheer sleeves. Lace runs along the neckline, the cuffs and the hem.
• The Lucy Jacquard Midi Dress in Midnight Blue ($695) is a cotton blend jacquard midi with a sweetheart V neckline and sheer 3/4 sleeves. A sheer band is set in near the hem.

The sleeves of the Jody and the Lucy are sheer. They cover the arm, and the skin shows through them. If your parish asks for opaque sleeves, add the blazer below.

Sleeveless dresses and the layers that cover them

• The Amanda Midi Dress in Floral ($695) is a sleeveless, fully lined midi with a draped neckline and a belted waist. It suits an outdoor graduation as it is. Inside a church it needs a jacket.
• The Betty Ruffle Dress in Black Polka Dot ($695) is sleeveless, with a square neckline and a ruffled hem that ends just above the knee. Save it for the graduation party rather than the church service.
• The Jody Tailored Lace Blazer in Ivory ($550) has long sleeves and lace on the collar, the cuffs and the buttoned placket. It covers the shoulders and arms completely.
• The Jody Lace Belted Sweater in Ivory ($470) is made of ivory knit and lace, with open lace 3/4 sleeves and a satin belt that ties at the waist. The arm shows through the lace.

An ivory jacket over a colored dress is fine at a christening or a communion, as long as the dress itself is not white. Each service has its own guide: what to wear to a christening as a guest or godmother, what to wear to church, and what to wear for Easter brunch after the service. For the ceremony on campus, see what to wear to a graduation as a guest. For a daytime lunch, see garden party and luncheon outfits. For the parties before a wedding, see engagement and shower outfits. Every occasion is on the Shop by Occasion page.

Questions before you choose

What should I wear as a guest to a graduation ceremony outdoors?

Wear a knee length or midi dress, or tailored pants with a blouse, in a breathable fabric. Choose shoes you can walk in across grass and stand in for photographs. Bring a light jacket for a shaded stadium or a cool morning.

Can guests wear white to a graduation or a first communion?

At a graduation, guests may wear white unless the graduates of that school wear white themselves. At a christening or a first communion, white belongs to the child. A guest chooses a color or a print, and an ivory jacket over a colored dress is fine.

Do shoulders have to be covered at a church ceremony?

It depends on the church and the parish. Many expect covered shoulders and a hem at or below the knee, and some ask for nothing at all. When you do not know, wear sleeves or bring a jacket, or ask the parish or the family before the day.

What should I wear to a christening as a guest?

Wear a knee length or midi dress with sleeves, or a sleeveless dress with a jacket. Choose a color or a print rather than white. Pick a hem you can sit and kneel in during the service, and keep the jewelry simple.

What should a mother wear to a first communion?

Wear a modest dress at or below the knee in a soft color or a print, with covered shoulders inside the church. Leave all white to your child. A long sleeve midi or a short sleeve wrap dress in navy suits the service and the lunch afterward.

Does Luna ship free, and can I return a piece?

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