What should my 12 year old son wear to a christening?

tiff

Well we will be going for a meal in a country pub afterwards, so not worried about that but my sister has fixed ideas about how things should be. She WAS going to hire a waistcoat and trousers from a wedding hire shop for her 8 year old before she decided it was a bit formal.

Thanks everyone for your input, it helps to see what others think. I'm not going to worry about it too much, will just grin and bear the comments on the day!

Indie_Kid

itsallinthemind wrote: »

If he insists on weraing light trainers, jeans is the only way I think!

Or light coloured trousers? Says me who happily walks around in black shoes and beige trousers.:o

ailuro2

Black trainers, black school trousers and let him pick a shirt himself from Asda, Tesco, Primark.

They're not dear, at 12 a man's short sleeved small will probably fit him if he wants a wider selection, if he chooses it himself then he'll maybe wear it again (school disco / on holidays?)

skintchick

tiff wrote: »

smart Nike high tops

Surely an oxymoron.

Trousers, shirt and proper shoes. It's a Christening, it's in church, it's an occasion, he needs to be smart. Trainers and jeans are not smart.

He surely has a shirt, trousers and shoes for school? He could wear those.

tiff

itsallinthemind wrote: »

Can he not wear his black trainers from school? Or if they are knackered get him a pair for september a size up and bung 2 pairs of socks on?

Light trainers and dark smart trousers would look BAD lol. If he insists on weraing light trainers, jeans is the only way I think!

These are the trainers http://www.fashionbeans.com/recommended-fashion/nike-air-mogan-mid-black/ that he would be wearing with jeans, not white ones.

mountainofdebt

Totally agree with Skintchick....in fact I couldn't have put it better.

When Junior has attended christenings it was always school trousers, smart casual shirt and polished black shoes.

In my view jeans and trainers (however smart/expensive) just doesn't do the job.

skintchick

tiff wrote: »

These are the trainers http://www.fashionbeans.com/recommended-fashion/nike-air-mogan-mid-black/ that he would be wearing with jeans, not white ones.

They're black, brown, turquoise and orange with white laces. In no way are they smart. He needs to wear his school uniform if you really don;t have trousers, shirt and shoes for him otherwise. Jeans and trainers are not smart.

Lunar_Eclipse

I also agree with Skintchick; I don't think jeans and/or trainers are ever appropriate items to be worn in a Church, particularly for an occasion such as a Christening and allowing for the fact that it is 2010.

If this were my son, I would be led by what the rest of the family is wearing. Since your husband is wearing a suit, I think a shirt and trousers would be a logical starting point. Additionally, the specific items worn would be chosen in line with our financial position. School trousers and shirt would suffice; new clothes are optional. There's nothing wrong with dressing up and looking smart every now and again.

I can't recall whether you mentioned if your son has strong opinions on what he should or shouldn't be wearing. I would take the opportunity to talk about social norms and etiquette and what is deemed appropriate clothing for such occasions and why. It's a learning opportunity, but not one to spoil what should be a lovely family day. I hope you have a lovely time.

Lunar_Eclipse

tiff wrote: »

She WAS going to hire a waistcoat and trousers from a wedding hire shop for her 8 year old before she decided it was a bit formal.

Unless you want to deliberately upset your sister and potentially cause a larger family fall out (& I can't understand why anyone would knowingly want to do that), the above sentence contains a huge clue as to the dress code for this occasion. I would interpret this to mean that jeans and trainers were entirely inappropriate, regardless of age or gender.

Indie_Kid

skintchick wrote: »

They're black, brown, turquoise and orange with white laces. In no way are they smart. He needs to wear his school uniform if you really don;t have trousers, shirt and shoes for him otherwise. Jeans and trainers are not smart.

Agreed. If they were plain black, then I would prehaps say they'll be ok.