The mother: These occasions veer towards the formal, but require a more delicate balance than the full on formality of, say, a wedding ceremony. For Confirmations and Communions, it is best to keep things classic, avoiding plunging necklines and abbreviated hemlines.
A good multitasking dress will get you through the occasion and a few more future events besides. Go for one with modern lines, either flowing or fitted, with a longer sleeve, mid-hem and comfortable fabric.
Relaxed but formal is the way to go. Ditch anything that makes you feel cinched in and stiff. With a more conservatively shaped dress, you can afford to have fun with colour and prints to add a contemporary feel. Choose outerwear that is the same length or a little longer than your dress to avoid proportion problems.
Forget flowing shrugs and shawls. Instead stave off chills with a chic cover-up.
The father: A suit is always a sharp and stylish option. Mixing and matching your tailoring is a modern update that still nails the dress code. Start with a navy blazer – the little black dress of menswear – and the most stylish and versatile item in a man's wardrobe. Wear with a classic shirt, in crisp white or pale-blue poplin, chinos in a contrasting shade and finished off with smart shoes.
The sponsor: Not comfortable in a gúna? Elegant separates are a pragmatic alternative and adapt well to the role of pious-for-the-day sponsor. A combo of tailored trousers and blazer, or blouse and pleated skirt, achieve the balance of formal church etiquette without looking too dated and stuffy.
A word of warning when it comes to footwear: nothing saps high spirits faster than blisters before midday, so choose a heel height you are comfortable wearing for long spells. Lower heels or fancy flats are bang on trend at the moment, and your feet will thank you for opting for those fashionable flats too.
The most stylish approach when it comes to jewellery for these occasions is less is more, so choose one stand-out accessory. And before you reach for that hat, don’t: headgear at these dos should only be seen on veil-rocking eight-year-olds.
