12 Head-Turning Birthday Dresses, Whether You Love Thigh-High Slits or Cutouts
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A birthday dress is a big deal. Your birthday presents an annual opportunity to indulge your fashion fantasies and find a look that perfectly captures personality. If you're hosting a celebration for family and friends, you may feel more inclined to go shopping. But let's be honest: dressing up for a solo birthday date is just as worthy of a head-turning look, too. Take advantage of the occasion by exploring this season's fashion trends and merging them with your personal style to find a birthday dress that's uniquely you.
Take inspiration from celebs who celebrated their birthdays recently, like Olivia Rodrigo, who leaned into the Y2K fashion aesthetic with a pink lacy skirt set and a cowboy hat. Or take a cue from Tommy Dorfman, who endorsed the naked-dress trend at her birthday party in a sheer and shiny minidress. Another option? Go Suni Lee's route and opt for a classic little black dress with a plunging neckline, or try Millie Bobby Brown's way and dazzle in a purple sequin dress.
Alternatively, look back at past birthday dresses you've worn, and write down patterns. Do you have a white-birthday-dress tradition and want to stick to a color theme? Or do you gravitate toward a particular silhouette? Perhaps you like edgy minis with cutouts or romantic corseted maxis with subtle details? Read on for a helpful guide that will simplify your search for a birthday dress.
How to Choose the Right Birthday Dress
Narrowing down the list of potential birthday dresses is challenging. There are countless silhouettes, patterns, colors, and shapes, all of which can easily overwhelm. But once you find the right one, something will just click. You'll feel confident and excited about celebrating your next chapter. Make a list of the details that are most important to you (fit, comfort, designer, etc.), and keep your budget in mind.
How to Style Your Birthday Dress
Base your accessories on your dress so it remains the focal point of your birthday look. An off-the-shoulder silhouette lends itself to a choker or chunky chain necklace, while a pendant might be the best way to enhance a plunging neckline. As for shoes, consider the dress style and your comfort needs. Heels, of course, dial up the dressiness. But if the birthday dress you end up choosing grazes the floor, the footwear won't necessarily matter as much, so your favorite flats, sandals, or sneakers will work just fine. Keep scrolling to shop our edit of stylish birthday dresses available at a range of price points.
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Birthday Dresses: Sequin Dress
Femi Semi Sequin Shift Dress ($40)
With its colorful sequins and high hemline, this style is an obvious birthday dress choice. The sparkles pairs perfectly with neutral heels, gold jewelry, and a tiny clutch handbag.
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Birthday Dresses: One-Shoulder Dress
Victor Glemaud Single Shoulder Dress ($84, originally $335)
An off-the-shoulder style like this dress will tell everyone just who the lady of the hour is. It's understated yet elegant, plus the neutral leopard print makes it easy to pair with the jewelry and shoes you already own. Enhance the neckline with a chain necklace, or go bare to keep the one-shoulder neckline as the main focus.
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Birthday Dresses: Corset Midi Dress
Good American Scuba U Corset Midi Dress ($139)
A great black dress will make you feel like you can take on the world, and this dress is it. We love the playful cutout at the neckline and formfitting bodice. Finish yours with pointy heels or sleek sandals.
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Birthday Dresses: Sequin Dress
Eloquii Strapless Sequin Dress ($140)
Whether you're headed to prebirthday drinks or showing up to a surprise party, this sequin number will deliver every time. The tailored silhouette easily goes from dinner to the real celebration later in the evening.
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Birthday Dresses: Sheer Dress
Michael Costello x Revolve Follie Gown ($198)
Bare it all (or close to it) in this sheer stunner. With its sheer fabric and body-hugging fit, this dress is going to make it crystal clear who the birthday girl is. Black heels and sparkly hoops finish the look.
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Birthday Dresses: Faux-Feather-Trim Dress
ASOS Embellished Mini Dress With Faux Feather Hem ($219)
You can count on this mini to ensure that you're the best dressed guest at a summer wedding or at your own birthday party. The embellishment and faux-feather trim act as built-in accessories. Enhance the bare neckline with a chunky gold necklace, and finish with sleek mules.
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Birthday Dresses: Printed Collared Dress
Hanifa Soraya II Dress ($279)
A printed dress is an easy way to stand out on your birthday, and this design is just waiting to be worn. With its eye-catching pattern, sleeveless silhouette, and comfortable fit, you'll be at ease while on vacation with your girlfriends or exploring your own city in style. Pair it with a dainty gold chain necklace and matching earrings, and finish with slingback pumps or strappy heels.
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Birthday Dresses: Rainbow Puff Dress
Selkie Rainbow Puff Dress ($280)
The puff-dress trend just keeps gaining momentum this season, and you can easily tap into the look for your birthday. For a daytime brunch or chic party, opt for this colorful frock, which comes with on-trend voluminous shoulders. Complete your look with strappy heels or ballet flats, depending on the occasion.
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Birthday Dresses: Corset Dress
House of CB Loretta Off the Shoulder Satin Corset Dress ($285)
Perfect for a birthday dinner or date night, this style is designed to turn heads. From the plunging neckline and corseted bodice to the high slit, this find will be one of your go-to dressy items for years to come.
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Birthday Dresses: High-Slit Gown
V. Chapman Calla Lily Gown ($385)
For an upscale birthday dinner, this sage-green gown will guarantee a head-turning entrance. While this style also comes in black or white, the pale green is especially ideal for spring and summer. Finish with gold heels and matching accessories.
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Birthday Dresses: Colorful Bodycon Dress
Christopher John Rogers Striped Checked Stretch-Knit Midi Dress
($597, originally $995)
Bring out the color! This show-stopping confection strikes the perfect balance between playful and elegant. It'll pair well with leather flats, strappy heels, or low mules alike.
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Birthday Dresses: One-Shoulder, Feather-Trim Dress
PatBO Feather Trim Oscar Dress ($1,595)
Get an instant dose of confidence once you slip into this frock. It conveys easy elegance, plenty of visual interest, and a sense of playfulness, all of which are right on theme for a birthday celebration.
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