Fashion

The Do’s and Don’ts for Choosing Your Sweet 16 Birthday Dress

A sweet 16 party is certainly one of the highlights of every teenage girl’s life and if you are turning 16 anytime soon, your choice of dress will be at the forefront of your mind. As this will be your first ‘adult’ social occasion, it is understandable to be a little concerned that you might not follow tradition.

Here are a few important do’s and don’ts when selecting a sweet 16 party dress.

Do go for a designer dress

If ever there was a time to pull all the stops out, the sweet 16 would be it! You obviously want your sweet 16 birthday outfit to suit you perfectly and looking your absolute best is a must. A quick Google search is all it takes to find a leading online designer dress boutique and then you can browse their extensive catalogue, with around 50 designers represented. A lot of dresses are on a special at this time of year and bookmarking e-store sites means you can go back and check.

Don’t overdo things

Don’t be too risqué, save that for your 18th, a biblical event in any girl’s life. Ideally, your look should be a reflection of your personality. Keep your makeup to a minimum and stick within the dress code. Mom is always happy to advise you on your outfit and she can even come up with a few great games to make the evening memorable.

Do seek professional help

The hairstylist would be happy to sort you out with a stunning cut and she could probably do your makeup too! When the dress arrives from the online boutique, take it to a local dressmaker or seamstress for the inevitable minor alterations. With a few professionals in your corner, you are assured of looking your best and will be ready for anything!

Don’t leave the dress purchase until the last minute

The dress is the very foundation of your look, and it will need some minor alterations, so do make allowances for this. Besides, it is a good idea to have a full dress rehearsal (hair, make-up and jewellery) a few days before the party.

Do experiment with accessories and make-up

If you have the time, why not try a few looks that you have not previously contemplated? You never know, you might stumble on a look that was made for you.

Don’t sweat about the small stuff

At the end of the day, a sweet 16 party is all about having a good time and once you have nailed that dress and accessories, you can relax and enjoy the experience. Take lots of images and post them on your social media platforms and they might go viral!

Of course, you want to do what you can to make this a very memorable event in your life and by creating a checklist, there’s no chance of overlooking something important. If you have more time, it is less of a worry and there’s always mom and dad to step in if you need anything.