Whether it’s your birthday or a friend’s, you have no excuse for turning up in drab birthday outfits.

You have to look your best as other guests will be around. You never can tell if you’ll be meeting your prince charming right at the venue. Also, remember you’ll take pictures with (or as) the celebrator. And just so you don’t hide your face when you look back at the pictures a few years down the line, dress to make a fashion statement at any birthday party you attend.

If you’ve got a birthday bash on your calendar and you’re yet to decide on the best birthday outfits to suit the occasion, keep reading.

We’ve done the homework for you.

How to Dress for a Birthday Party

Regardless of what you decide to wear to your event, let these tips guide your decision:

Follow the Dress Code

Whether you’re the celebrator or a guest, stick to the dress code if there’s any.

You don’t have to disobey the dress code just because you want to stand out. You can stand out in that all-white, green, or black attire. It all depends on what you wear and how you style and accessorize.

So, obey the dress code but make it suit you.

Consider the Venue

Is the party gonna be by the poolside or in a house? Will it be in a large hall for lunch or dinner? Or will you be spending all night clubbing?

Consider the venue of the party before opening your wardrobe. You wouldn’t want to wear a dinner gown to a club party or dress hot when it’s a formal, evening event.

Never Try to Outshine the Celebrator

It’s their party. Let them have the spotlight. When it’s your turn, you can bask in the attention too.

This doesn’t mean you should look your worst all because you want your friend to be the best-dressed on their day. No. Do you want to ruin their photos? I guess not.

So, look your best. Invest in a dress that will pop you out from the crowd. But don’t wear something that’ll make people think you are the celebrator when you’re not. Save the drama and excessive statement pieces for your party or any other event where there’s no specific celebrator.

You don’t wanna ruin someone’s little moment of shine, do you?

Add Your Personality to the Mix

Do you love bodycon dresses, flared skirts, mini skirts, palazzo pants, etc? Wear them to the occasion. Do you love to mix prints? Go ahead and do it. Or is Afrocentric fashion your thing? Great!

Just do you but ensure it’s stylish enough for the occasion.

Don’t Forget Your Hair and Makeup

Clothes aren’t all there is to look good. If your hair and makeup aren’t also on fleek, your investment in a great birthday outfit won’t yield returns.

So, go for the best hairstyles that suit your dress and subtle yet solid makeup to match.

Punctuate Your Outfit with Accessories

Don’t just wear your dress and get going. Tie a scarf around your neck or head. Put a watch on your wrist. Add a dangling necklace to highlight your neck. Wear your sunshades to block the UV rays of the sun.

Accessorizing never gets old. So, always wear those little add-ons to magnify your look.

13 Birthday Outfits that Should Become Wardrobe Staples

1. Jeans and Top

You can never go wrong with a pair of jeans and that’s on period.

Jeans go with any top whether it’s a button-down shirt, tee, or a crop top that flaunts your mid-riff.

Thankfully, different types of jeans abound. So, if you don’t want skinny jeans, you can go for bell-bottoms, straight cut, distressed jeans, etc.

2. Palazzo and Top

If you want something that’ll frame your body and highlight your curves, palazzo pants are excellent.

If this is your choice, we have a style guide on how to rock palazzo pants. Do check it out.

3. Skirt and Top

Wanna flaunt your thighs and fine legs at the party? Grab on a mini skirt. Just pick a befitting top, use the tips we shared above, and you’ll be good to go.

But if you aren’t comfortable with a mini skirt, go for a longer skirt. However, ensure it’s figure-hugging or has details like ruffles or a slit, to give off a sexy vibe.

4. Bodycon or Loose-fitting Dresses

I love dresses because you seldom need to pair them with any bottom. Simply wear them and you’re a step closer to donning a hot birthday outfit.

But if you want your dress to be impactful, make it bodycon. It’s perfect if you have an hourglass or pear body type as this dress will highlight your figure to stir admiration.

Go for any length of dress you like so long as you’re comfortable, be it midi, mini, or maxi.

5. Tulle Skirt

Did I say you can’t pair a dress with any bottom? Well, if it’s a mini dress, you sure can pair it with a tulle skirt and make a really cool style statement.

And that’s what I did with this tulle skirt from Ria Kosher:

Tulle skirts are sheer. They mostly come as layered pieces, thus adding more details to your look. And if you don’t wanna layer your mini dress with a tulle skirt, wear a pair of bum shorts or a mini skirt underneath the skirt and pair with a nice top.

Or better still, if you’re attending a pool party, use it to layer your bikini.

6. Coordinated Sets

Co-ords make dressing up easy and fun. And when you want a taste of variety, you can pair the top or bottom with any other combo of your choice.

Don’t be reluctant to try a two-piece outfit. They’re hot birthday outfits.

7. Sequin Dress

Sequin dresses come in handy if the party will be like a black or white-tie event.

Wear this if it’s a birthday dinner. Your sequin dress can be midi, mini, or long. It all depends on your choice.

8. Blazer Dress

A suit dress is a classy, tres chic way to turn up at a birthday party whether it’s yours or not. You can even go for a suit dress with statement details.

Blazer dresses give off this powerful, sexy look.

9. Corset Fashion

Need something that would cinch your waist and highlight your breasts and curves? A corset dress is your go-to piece then.

Consult our style guide on corset fashion. It’ll prep you and show you how to rock this outfit better.

10. Jumpsuit

You can as well wear a jumpsuit. Depending on the venue and dress code, opt for either a casual or formal jumpsuit.

Again, we have a guide that’ll show you how to rock a jumpsuit with style. Consult it if this is your choice.

11. Pant Suits

Suits are known to evoke power. And when you don one, you’re immediately perceived as a woman who’s got her life in control.

This outfit is great for luncheons or if you’re the one celebrating.

12. Bum Shorts

Bum shorts are suitable for casual parties whether in a house, club or by the poolside. It’s great for flaunting your beautiful legs and thighs and can make you a showstopper without trying hard.

We have a guide that shows you how to turn heads with your bum shorts. Consult it if this is your best pick.

13. Afrocentric Fashion

Who said you can’t rock African prints to a birthday party?

You can even make it the dress code if it’s your party. Afrocentric pieces are versatile as you can rock them in different styles including the 12 outfit ideas we mentioned above.

Imagine rocking an ankara top with your skinny jeans, or donning an ankara suit, a dashiki, or a kente mini dress.

Your options are endless with Afrocentric fashion.

Now that you know the best birthday outfits for your next party, go ahead and make your choice among them. They can also pass for your birthday outfits if you’re the one celebrating.

Speaking of your birthday…

Have you had your photoshoot yet?

If not, thank goodness. Why, you ask?

That’s because your birthday pictures will be better than what you may already be envisaging if you check out these birthday photoshoot outfit ideas we curated for you.

Have a good read.

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