Any event which requires us to attend church is one where perhaps a little more thought is required to achieve the right blend of style, glamour and, of course, respectability.
While views, in some places, have changed over the years in terms of what is suitable attire for wearing inside a place of worship, in most there is still an expectation of something which is slightly more on the conservative side, and which does not reveal too much bare flesh.
Dressing for a church service is not just about keeping the minister happy though.
The ceremonies to which we are invited are solemn ones which mean a great deal to the friends and loved ones who have arranged them, and clearly they too want to feel that we have given consideration to maintaining the proper sense of decorum.
Better all ways round, therefore, to play it safe rather than risk offence.
Church services do, however, present somewhat of a dilemma when it comes to choosing what to wear.
For one thing, the temperature can be scorching outside, but often the interior of the church can be decidedly chilly.
For another, events such as weddings and christenings are typically followed up by a celebration party which takes place elsewhere, and so trying to choose an outfit which is suitable for both the religious ceremony and the later festivities can be tricky.
Because many people like to arrange christenings to take place during the spring months, the time of rebirth, there can be the additional complication of unpredictable weather conditions to take into account.
You need to buy your outfit in advance, but there is no way of telling whether the day itself will bring glorious sunshine and a mini heat wave or bleak, wintry conditions.
There is though, a perfect and very simple solution to the dilemma of what to wear to a christening which gets over all of these hurdles, and that is to top off your outfit with a fabulous silk scarf or shawl.
Despite being an extremely fine fabric, silk is a wonderful insulator and so is ideal for keeping out the chill of the church building.
Worn around the shoulders, your gorgeous women's scarf or shawl will also lend the appropriate degree of propriety to your outfit, making you look both chic and respectable.
As it is also very cooling in warmer weather, your silk scarf or shawl will also be perfect once you step outside into the sunshine or when you attend the after-ceremony party.
If you have chosen an outfit which was perhaps a little too revealing for church but want to show it off in its full glory afterward, then your women's scarf or shawl can quickly and easily be removed, folded and placed in your purse for safe keeping or until you need it later.
Church ceremonies such as christenings, of course, tend to be times when women like to dress in all their finery, so if you are going to choose a silk scarf or shawl, then it is wise to choose the best that you can afford.
Hand painted silk scarves and handmade shawls represent the ultimate in beauty and quality and offer the added benefit of carrying unique designs, so that you can be assured that you are not going to turn up in the exact same outfit as one of the other guests.