What to Wear to a Baby Shower (Outfit Ideas & Dress Code) (2023)

FAQs

What to Wear to a Baby Shower (Outfit Ideas & Dress Code)? ›

Think thinner sweaters that will go with a light flouncy skirt, leggings, or jeans. Throw in some killer footwear like flats, heeled shoes, or boots, and you'll be all set. A simple dress is perfect. An oversized off-the-shoulder sweater can go with leggings on a cooler day or a skirt and boots if it's warm.

For a fancier event, a nice dress or skirt-and-blouse combo are a safe bet. If you prefer pants, opt for dress pants and heels over jeans or leggings. For a casual affair, however (think: at someone's home or a park), jeans might be totally acceptable with a dressy top or a blazer.

Floral prints or fun patterns work really well for blouses, t-shirts, skirts, and dresses. Keep your shoes and accessories simple for an event like this. Most baby showers tend to be very casual for the most part. So you just want to make sure that you're comfortable and dressed appropriately.

Can I Wear Jeans to a Baby Shower? This one comes down to the dress code and location. If the dress code is casual, dressy casual, or, in some cases, business casual, you're in the clear for jeans. For smart casual, cocktail, and lounge suit dress codes, jeans are not appropriate.

A color traditionally associated with mourning and funerals, wearing black to a baby shower can be frowned upon. This is a happy occasion, so your outfit should match the sunny mood. That being said, if you throw some vibrant accessories into the mix, you should be able to get away with a chic black outfit.

You could go for feminine and fun because you're about to become a mum or because you're having a girl. Dark colors, especially navy are traditional for a boy but are also typical winter shades. Be light and cheery. A baby shower is a celebration of new life, there's no room for being sombre or stuffy!

For an outdoor shower something light like a maxi or mini dress is a comfortable and safe option. If a dress isn't your forte, a lightweight linen suit is a chic look. For something indoors you can always wear layers and experiment more with heavier materials like a knit or a leather jacket.

Who Do You Invite to a Baby Shower? Close friends and family members should be invited to the baby shower. You should always consult with the mom-to-be on the guestlist though, just in case she has any co-workers or friends she wants to add to the list.

While a hostess gift is not a necessity, but it is certainly a very kind gesture. Even though a baby shower is given out of the goodness of one's heart, a baby shower hostess gift just says, "Thank you." If someone throws you a surprise baby shower, you are not expected to have a hostess gift immediately.

Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, or co-workers of the mother-to-be hosted baby showers. Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving.

What not to wear to a baby shower as a guest? ›

If you are attending a summer baby shower, you'll want to wear a lightweight outfit that won't leave you wilting in the heat. It's considered “bad form” to go for an overtly sexy look for a baby shower, so try to avoid the body-hugging, shear, or low-cut items in your wardrobe.

Strict rules like “female guests only,” “the parent-to-be or their immediate family can't host the shower” and “you shouldn't have a shower for any baby after your first” were largely indisputable 60 to 80 years ago. Some people love sticking with those traditions, but with new decades come new flexibility.

What if I'm running late to a baby shower? It's better you arrive late than never, so don't skip the party just because something came up earlier in the day. Make sure to say hello directly to the guest of honor and thank your host even if you walked in late and they seemed busy at the time of your arrival.

2. Jeans and a blouse are a great choice for a baby shower. In the spring or summer, white jeans or light wash denim would be great with pretty shoes and a pretty ruffled or lace blouse. For fall, dark wash jeans and a button down shirt make a great baby shower outfit.

Baby showers last on average 2-3 hours, depending on what's planned for the celebration. Plan for enough time to enjoy all of the baby shower games and activities you have planned for the day. Factor in things like the opening of gifts, snacking on hors d'oeuvres and cake, and catching up with friends and family.

If pink and blue aren't a required dress code you may opt to wear something that allows you to match the party colors. This can usually be determined from the invitation as the decor often coincides with what you'll see when you arrive.

Typically, guests wear a color representing the gender of the baby to be born. Pink for a baby girl and blue for a baby boy.

Dressy Casual or Casual Chic

A collared golf shirt and jacket/blazer may also be appropriate depending on the location of the event. Street-length dresses, skirt and nice top or a dressy pants outfit are great for the ladies. You should not wear formal but you should look like you are going to a really nice event.

For obvious reasons, you may want to steer clear of traditional blue and pink hues for gender-neutral baby showers. Instead, opt for color palettes that include yellow, green, or orange. Neutral shades like brown, black, white, and metallics are also good choices.

Stay warm by slipping on your favorite pair of pants or leggings, and then layer your dress overtop. For example, you can pair a short dress over a pair of slacks for a work-ready outfit. You can layer your dress over a pair of jeans for a more relaxed outfit.

What should a guest wear to a baby shower in the winter? ›

Yes, it's totally okay to wear black and white, especially to a winter baby shower. For something that still feels festive, try a garment featuring a fun print. For a winter baby shower that falls on a particularly chilly day, a statement jacket and boots are the name of the game.

For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.

It's becoming increasingly common to include men—friends, spouses, and relatives—on the baby shower guest list. But inviting men may change the chemistry of the party.

As much as guests would love for the mom-to-be to open their gifts, proper etiquette is respecting her wishes and not asking her to open the presents during the shower.

The classic time to host a baby shower is lunchtime, but recently tradition has given way to several different options. Some women prefer a slightly earlier time to celebrate and enjoy hosting a brunch. Others loved hosting a 'happy hour' shower with plenty of baby-themed mocktails at sunset.

Traditional etiquette rules

Traditionally for an in-person shower, a friend or relative hosts the baby shower and pays for the costs. It is unclear how these traditions developed initially, but it is clear that this is the expected practice to abide by today. However, like anything in life, things change.

As a general rule, hostess gifts should be given at the brunch, dinner, or cocktail party. The one exception to this is for overnight or weekend visits.

Baby showers are all about the mom-to-be, but they also celebrate all the important people in the new baby's life. Assigned seating is not necessary, but certain people should have reserved seating with the mom-to-be. If this is not her first child, her other children should sit with her.

Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.

Don't forget to think about your shoes! An outdoor baby shower might not be the best place for heels, in case you're walking on dirt or grass. Try flats, sandals, or even a stylish sneaker with your baby shower outfit.

Who should hold baby shower? ›

Baby Shower Hosting Etiquette

Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been the appropriate hosts for baby shower parties.

Traditionally, baby showers are held in the third trimester of pregnancy from 28 to 32 weeks. This is because this is a great time to start planning and hosting your event. Mom-to-be is comfortable and mobile enough to enjoy herself but is still weeks away from labor.

Showers are also celebrated with fun games, fun shower themes, gift-giving and most importantly, making memories. Aside from decorating onesies for baby and collecting advice cards, there are plenty of ways to help loved ones share their joy with mom-to-be.

Baby blue is young, fresh, and playful. Its hex code is #89CFF0.

Popular colors for baby showers in general are, you guessed it, soft baby pastels like pink, blue, yellow, peach, and mint green. Bright colors like Fuschia, bright blue, red, and orange are very upbeat and look lovely too.

Who pays for a baby shower? Most often, the host pays for the baby shower. This is not always one person. For example, several aunts and cousins might cover the full tab of a shower at a restaurant, or a group of coworkers may help coordinate all the decorations, food and fun.

Typically, guests wear a color representing the gender of the baby to be born. Pink for a baby girl and blue for a baby boy.

Do baby showers need games and a theme? No, baby showers aren't required to have games, a theme, or anything else. The baby shower host should follow guidelines from the parent-to-be in terms of what kind of agenda to follow. There's no rule stating that games must be played, or that the color scheme must be pastel.

From parents to college roommates, and anyone else who plays an important role in the parents-to-be's lives. It's safe to say that those who weren't included in the initial guest list are the people you shouldn't invite.

Who Do You Invite to a Baby Shower? Close friends and family members should be invited to the baby shower. You should always consult with the mom-to-be on the guestlist though, just in case she has any co-workers or friends she wants to add to the list.

How much money do you give for a baby shower? ›

For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.

While a hostess gift is not a necessity, but it is certainly a very kind gesture. Even though a baby shower is given out of the goodness of one's heart, a baby shower hostess gift just says, "Thank you." If someone throws you a surprise baby shower, you are not expected to have a hostess gift immediately.

Usually, the person who organizes the baby shower is the one who pays for the celebration. It's expected that they will take on most of the costs for the day, but there are ways to offset the costs of paying for the baby shower.

A baby shower is technically a party to honor the mother, so her name goes on the baby shower invitation by default. However, many modern baby showers are co-ed and also include the father. If that's the case, the mother's and father's names can both be included at the top of the card.

Traditionally, the baby shower is a party to celebrate the impending birth of a new baby. The mom-to-be and the baby-to-be are the focal point of these parties.

If pink and blue aren't a required dress code you may opt to wear something that allows you to match the party colors. This can usually be determined from the invitation as the decor often coincides with what you'll see when you arrive.

Baby showers last on average 2-3 hours, depending on what's planned for the celebration. Plan for enough time to enjoy all of the baby shower games and activities you have planned for the day. Factor in things like the opening of gifts, snacking on hors d'oeuvres and cake, and catching up with friends and family.

Men are allowed at baby showers — especially if the father's in attendance. It's rare for a mom to have a co-ed or Jack&Jill baby shower and not invite any of her and the father's male friends and family members.

Most showers include games, gift opening, eating, and drinking. The key is organizing these activities to create a fun flow that keeps guests entertained and engaged. Give guests 15 to 20 minutes to arrive and offer drinks to people as they come through the door. Once everyone is there, start an activity.