What to wear to a first communion - confirmation party

Hi y’all,

I hope you're all doing wonderfully well. Today, I'm back with another installment of our beloved What to Wear series. And since communion season is upon us, we're diving into what to wear to a First Communion or Confirmation party.

Now, a little background—growing up in a mixed household (my dad is Muslim and my mom is Catholic), I attended a lot of these events. If you're not familiar: a First Communion is a Catholic ceremony where a child receives the Eucharist for the first time, and a Confirmation is another milestone where they affirm their faith, usually as teens. Think of them as religious rites of passage—and trust me, they come with big celebrations, particularly in my country.

Back in the day, I loved going to my cousins’ and classmates’ communions. They were joyful occasions filled with family, food, music, and the kind of drama that only makes sense in childhood. It was there that you would meet your crush, and try to impress him while dancing. I missed the parties dearly when I moved abroad. Since coming back home, I’ve only managed to attend two… until this year. So far, I’ve been invited to three (yes, three!) communions already.

Naturally, I thought, “Let me make myself a pretty lacy dress for the occasion.” But then I opened my wardrobe—which, mind you, is already bursting at the seams with unworn clothes—and realized I had zero business buying or making anything new.

Still, if you’re like me and wondering what to wear, here’s your go-to guide for dressing the part:

 1. The Tailored Suit

A suit might sound a bit formal, but it can be so chic—especially in soft pastels or summery hues. Forget stiff office wear and think breezy pantsuits, or even a matching A-line skirt and jacket in linen. A dress with a duster also works beautifully. The key is to keep it light, fresh, and accessorized just right so you don’t veer into “Mother of the Bride” territory.

Ombre pleated pant suit

Tailored jacket and tulle skirt

Long coat and matching dress 

 2. The Classic Dress

My personal favorite—lace, guipure, or eyelet dresses. You can never go wrong with a classic silhouette, especially in a midi length. Want to make a statement? Try 3D lace. If the weather allows, brocade or silk can also be stunning—brocade is very trendy here right now. Just remember: avoid anything too short, too tight, or too see-through. It’s a sacred, elegant event, so dress like it.

3D printed lace dress.

I have been looking for this fabric. And when I find it, I will make myself a dress. Mark my words!

Classic dress with Bogolan

 3. Traditional Attire

In Senegal, traditional outfits are always a hit—especially at family gatherings. A Grand Boubou (Kaftan style) is perfect if you want something modest and regal, while a taille basse (peplum top and matching skirt) adds a touch of subtle allure. Bonus points if you incorporate fabric or patterns from your ethnic heritage. Whether you buy from a local designer or visit your neighborhood tailor, you’ll find endless options. But please—for the love of decorum—leave the corset dresses at home. It’s not a wedding, it’s not a gala. Stay classy.

Boubou in brocade

Taille Basse in Floral fabric

Boubou using weaved fabric

 4. Accessorizing the Right Way

Accessories are where your look can really come alive. A general rule of thumb: if your outfit is bold, keep the accessories muted—and vice versa. Or throw the rulebook out and go full maximalist. You do you.

For shoes, I’d go with strappy sandals, mules, or pumps. Ballerina flats? Cute—but mostly for the under-10 crowd. In Senegal, many love to match bags and shoes. I personally like a more effortless mismatch that still keeps with the vibe.

Now for jewelry: I’m a big fan of gold. A nice chain with a pendant works beautifully with a dress, while a sautoir or statement necklace pairs wonderfully with a Boubou. I have seen accessories made to look like flowers recently such as earrings, chockers or even brooch. They might add a nice touch to your outfit as well. 

Floral chocker

Baoule earrings

And listen—I know it’s Cowboy Carter season and cowboy hats are trending hard, but please leave those at home (or save them for that Beyoncé concert). If you must wear a hat, go for a fascinator or a Moussor (Senegalese headscarf). Let’s keep things elegant.

Moussor (headscarf) available at MoussorMa

I hope this was helpful. I will let you know what I chose to wear for the communions I have coming up in a future post God willing. Stay tuned!

*** Disclaimer: All pictures - except the ones where the sources are specified- were taken from Pinterest. They are not my own.