What to wear to a Christian Confirmation

Catholic Confirmation in the US is normally celebrated by the bishop for a group of candidates (typically 8th grade in most US dioceses; 16-18 in some). Many parishes have candidates wear a white robe (a Confirmation alb or similar) over their formal attire; the robe is provided by the parish and returned at the end of the rite. Under the robe, candidates wear business-formal: dress and tights or dress pants and a button-down with a tie. Where parishes do not have a robe, candidates wear formal attire directly. Parents and immediate family wear business-formal; the rite is at the formality register of a wedding-guest.

The Confirmation robe practice varies by parish. Some dioceses specify it; others leave it to the parish. The catechist is the source for the local practice.

Orthodox Chrismation is normally administered immediately after baptism for both infants and adult converts, so a separate Confirmation as a distinct rite (with its own dress register) does not arise. Where a separate rite for an older convert is celebrated, the convert wears the white baptismal garment of chrismation; the dress register for the family parallels baptism.

Orthodox practice on this is highly traditional; the parish is the source for any specific case.

Anglican / Episcopal Confirmation is administered by the bishop at a parish visit. Candidates wear business-formal: a dress for girls, a suit and tie for boys. Some Episcopal parishes have candidates wear a white robe (less common than in Catholic practice); most do not. The rite is typically within a Sunday Eucharist; the family wears Sunday-formal to business-formal. The Anglican Confirmation is a moderately formal rite, less weighty than the Catholic register, more elevated than typical Sunday worship.

The 1979 BCP's Confirmation rite is reserved to the bishop; the bishop's visit is normally an annual event the parish prepares for.

Lutheran Confirmation (typically 8th-9th grade in ELCA, LCMS, and WELS practice, after a two-year Confirmation class) is celebrated within a Sunday morning service. Candidates wear Sunday-formal: a dress for girls (no particular color requirement, though pastels and modest formal colors are common), a suit and tie for boys. White Confirmation robes are not normally used in Lutheran practice; the candidates appear as confirmed members of the congregation rather than as distinctly-attired candidates.

Some Lutheran congregations carry a tradition of confirmands' parents giving them a small cross or Bible at the rite; the dress is normally chosen to accommodate this presentation.

Methodist (UMC) and Presbyterian (PCUSA) Confirmation classes typically meet at 7th-8th grade or later; the rite is celebrated within a Sunday service. The dress register is similar to Lutheran: Sunday-formal, no robe, modest colors. The Reformed tradition typically does not have a separate Confirmation as such; the rite of public profession (Reformed Church in America, Christian Reformed Church) carries a similar dress register where observed.

Methodist and Presbyterian congregations vary; the pastor is the source for the local convention.

A modest dress in dark or moderate colors (where no robe is worn) or a moderate dress with sleeves and a hemline at or below the knee (where the robe covers most of the dress). Conservative shoes, flats or low heels. Hair simply done; modest jewelry. The candidate stands before the bishop or presider at the rite; the dress is normally chosen with this practical consideration as well.

A dark suit or jacket and dress pants with a button-down shirt and a conservative tie. Dark dress shoes. Hair neatly combed. The candidate stands before the bishop or presider; the practical attire is normal business-formal.

In Catholic Confirmation, each candidate has a sponsor (separate from the godparents of baptism, though sometimes the same person). The sponsor stands behind the candidate at the rite, with one hand on the candidate's shoulder, presenting the candidate to the bishop. The sponsor wears business-formal attire, comparable to the parents. In Anglican Confirmation, sponsors are sometimes present; the dress register is similar.

Business-formal to wedding-guest formality. The Confirmation Mass or service is typically attended by the candidate's extended family, and parents normally choose attire suitable for the family photographs after the rite. Mothers in dresses or formal pants outfits in moderate colors; fathers in suits.

Sunday-formal to business-formal. The Confirmation is normally a substantial family event for the candidate; grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, and the godparent's family often attend. Younger siblings dress at family-formal: a dress for a sister, a button-down and dress pants for a brother.

Catholic bishop wears red vestments, red is the liturgical color of the Holy Spirit and is the appointed color for Confirmation. The bishop wears the miter (the tall ceremonial hat) and carries the crozier (the bishop's staff). Anglican bishop wears similar episcopal vesture in red or white. Lutheran and Methodist clergy wear the normal denominational vesture; bishops in episcopal Mainline traditions (UMC, ELCA) wear simpler episcopal vesture than Catholic.

Many US Catholic parishes provide candidates with a white robe (similar to a baptismal alb or a graduate's gown) worn over their formal attire for the rite. The robe symbolizes the candidate's renewed entry into the Christian life and parallels the white of baptism. The practice varies by diocese and parish: some require it for all candidates, some make it optional, some do not use it at all. Where the robe is worn, the formal attire underneath is normally visible at the cuffs and hem; the family's photograph after the Mass is taken with the robe (some families) or without (others, returning the robe before photographs).

In Catholic Confirmation, candidates choose a Confirmation name (a saint's name) and present it to the bishop. The Confirmation name is normally not visible in the dress (no embroidered name, no patron-saint icon); the name is announced at the rite. Some families have the candidate carry a small medal or holy card of the chosen saint; this is personal devotion rather than visible attire.

Red is the liturgical color of the Holy Spirit and the appointed color for Confirmation. The bishop's vestments are red; the parish's altar cloth and decorations are often red. Some candidates wear a small touch of red, a red boutonnière for boys, a red ribbon or hair accessory for girls, to mark the day. The candidate's principal attire remains business-formal; the red is a small accent where present.

In Hispanic Catholic, Filipino Catholic, and similarly immigrant Catholic communities, the Confirmation is normally a substantial family event with extended celebrations. The candidate dresses formally; the family normally dresses in a register approaching a wedding (more formal than at most US Catholic parishes). Padrinos de confirmación (Confirmation sponsors) are sometimes formally honored at the rite and at the family meal afterward; they normally dress in business-formal attire.

Some Lutheran congregations have the Confirmation class wear a coordinated color or accessory, a white rose, a red carnation, a class scarf or pin. The practice varies by congregation; the convention is normally announced in the year before Confirmation. Where a class color is specified, the candidate's attire is normally chosen with the color visible (a tie in the class color, a dress in a complementary tone).