Belle of the Birthday: 6 Perfect Outfits for a Birthday Party

Like fine wine, friendship, and Daniel Craig, birthday parties only get better with age. Celebrate growing older and wiser this year by leaning hard into your personal style. Dressing up for a birthday party and snapping pictures is a great way to track how your style has evolved and heightened over the years.

The best outfits for a birthday party will depend on the party's venue and activities. Here's how to confidently dress with the trends at any age for your birthday or a friend's.

How To Pick Outfits for a Birthday Party in 3 Easy Steps

Before you start shopping, envision the kind of outfit that's right for the party you're attending. Here are three preliminary basics to nail down.

1. Consider the Venue

It's not the end of the world if you show up over- or under-dressed to a birthday party, but there are a couple of ways to check the general attire level of a venue you haven't been to before. You can ask your friend what the vibe of the place is or what they'll be wearing, or you can always look at the venue's Instagram to see what the usual clientele wears.

2. Match the Activity

After figuring out what suits the venue, don't forget to plan for what you'll actually be doing during the party. Birthdays are about making memories with friends, so if you're going dancing, pick a looser fit that won't restrict your movement. You can also add fringe or sequins that shake and shimmy when you do. If you'll be hitting multiple venues during a birthday party, plan for some solid outerwear and shoes you can walk in.

3. Inject Personal Style

Trendy outfits are fun for going out, but following trends doesn't have to compete with your own personal aesthetic. Instead, find ways to incorporate your perspective into what's currently in style.

For example, monochromatic looks are popular for all occasions, but they're also a chance to  make an individual statement. Just take Janet Jackson's head-to-toe orange patent leather look at Paris Fashion Week. Simply choose your signature color to make this trend your own.

6 Perfect Birthday Party Outfits by Venue

Selecting outfits for a birthday party is easier with a little inspiration. Here are six of our favorite concepts to build from.

Low-Key Bar or Restaurant

For the classic birthday party over casual drinks or dinner, comfortable style options are the way to go.

Statement Jacket

One of the top trends of 2024 is making a big statement with outerwear. This strategy is perfect for a restaurant party. After you settle in, you can easily shed the most expensive fashion layer and have fun in the more practical outfit underneath.

Flashy jackets, from short bombers to floor-length fur coats, have become the stars of the stars' outfits. A big jacket plays well with a sleeker outfit underneath, like Karlie Kloss's look with a satin puffer jacket, skirt, and thigh-high leather boots.

T-Shirt  and Long Skirt

A t-shirt and midi skirt combo also blends casual vibes with the latest style. To make this look feel cohesive, separate the t-shirt from the skirt with a chunky metallic belt. Then, you can use the same metal accents in your shoes, bag, or jewelry.

Glam Girls' Night Out

For those who prefer a high-key birthday party, clubs and nightlife are the perfect excuses to push style boundaries.

Standout Separates

Instead of the basic matte bodycon dress, try loud styles in the form of separates. A pair of aggressively pink velvet pants combines all of the throwback trends into one wardrobe piece. From there, either continue the theme with more pink or use black for fashionable contrast.

Sequin-on-Sequin

You've heard of the denim-on-denim Y2K trend, but what about sequin-on-sequin? Packing on this punchy texture makes for a high-impact outfit that you can still dance and move in. Dua Lipa rocked silver sequin separates and matching boots that looked shockingly comfy.

Just like when creating a denim-on-denim look, you can contrast different types of sequin to elevate the concept even more. A black sequin blazer — basically a sequin-neutral — adds even more sparkle to a sequin dress of any color. Black or silver sequin boots complete the living disco ball aesthetic. There's no better way to put the "party" in a glam birthday party outfit.

Outdoor or Daytime Birthday Party

A daytime birthday party at a park or brunch spot is one surefire way to avoid the post-birthday hangover (one thing that, unfortunately, does not get better with age). It's important to plan for the weather, though, even if your idea of roughing it is a brunch spot's open-air patio.

Oversized Sweater and Leggings

Stay stylish even on a chillier day with a long sweater and leggings outfit. The key to any leggings outfit is proportion, so make sure the sweater takes up plenty of visual space to balance the tighter pants. Sweaters with balloon sleeves or chunky knits are ideal picks. To accessorize, try a coordinating knit hair tie or hat that continues the cozy theme.

Matching Print Separates

Another daywear option that can fit almost any venue is matching printed separates. The cohesion of using only one print makes the outfit look purposeful and formal, like when Kristen Stewart wore a black and white graphic printed set on the Sundance red carpet. At the same time, even the biggest print is never going to read as "too dressy" for a casual get-together. You can also use each printed piece on its own in any number of outfits.

The Latest Trends Make Outfits for a Birthday Party Even Better

A birthday party is the best occasion to splurge on new and trendy clothes. At Kate Hewko, you can get ahead of the runway collections without spending a fortune.

We believe in fun style and personal expression for anyone at any age. Whether your party outfits lean towards knits, prints, or head-to-toe sequins, we've selected pieces you'll love. Browse our latest picks for birthday style inspiration.

Sources:

https://www.vogue.com/tag/event/paris-fashion-week

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/09/02/75231505-12497831-Guest_of_honor_Janet_Jackson_attended_the_Christian_Siriano_Spri-a-19_1694224177872.jpg

https://i.insider.com/65ae8452dcdb354a9859913f?width=1300&format=jpeg&auto=webp

https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/gallery/sundance-film-festival-2024-red-carpet-photos-1236139008/

https://www.vogue.com/article/dua-lipa-press-day-sequin-jumpsuit-boots-outfit-jaguar-balmain