Turning eighteen is a milestone in all our lives, and the day calls for celebration. Not only is it a day commemorating the eighteen eventful years that shaped you into a beautiful woman who’s ready to conquer the world, but it also warrants you legal permission to do everything you may have previously done illegally (*wink*). Confused about what to wear, how to wear your favourite styles, look your best, and turn heads? Focus on planning the party, we’ve got outfit options under control for you!
Your eighteenth birthday is like a threshold between your childhood and womanhood. Treat these 24 hours like the same. Even when you’re all enveloped in a childish prank, ensure your outfit embodies a certain grace that truly sets you apart. Stand out, soak in the spotlight and get used to making it your own. Step into adulthood looking like a beauty and conquer the world in your coming years.
Styling Tips
- Bold Make-Up: Go for bold make-up that looks like colourful eyes, a red lip and lots of highlighter!
- OTT Accessories: Choose tiaras, net gloves, statement jewellery, and everything else.
- Shimmer and Glitter: Go all out with sequins, glitter and shimmer outfits!
- High Heels: Choose statement high heels that catch the eye.
- Choose a colour that’s different from what everyone else is wearing. If you’ve set the dress code as black for the party, make sure as the birthday girl, you show up in a red, pink, golden or something entirely different. It’s your day, so no one else gets to complain!
What to wear on 18th Birthday
21 – Casual 18th Birthday Outfits
Whether you’re celebrating your 18th birthday at home or just want a casual look for spending the day with the fam, my go-to looks are the skirt and t-shirt combination or a simple printed maxi. Both of these are simple outfits that don’t look over the top.
20 – Red Theme for 18th Birthday
Want a red-themed party? In addition to nailing the decor and getting a massive red velvet tiered cake, the birthday dress has to be on point too! Choose a halter or strappy long red dress with a thigh-high slit. DIY some rhinestone or gemstone embellishments right above the slit to add that extra bling. Choose a minimal pendant and simple American Diamond drop earrings to complete the look.
19 – Leather Baddie
Say hello to the baddie era of your life in a leather corset and high-waisted jeans! For a birthday dinner that’s sure to turn into a raging house party in no time at all, this is the perfect fit! Layer with a long fur coat when you’re stepping out in the cold and don your curves indoors. Wear high-block heels and accessorize with a pendant and lots of rings. Add a tiara to steal the show.
18 – Shimmy Shimmy Yeah
There’s not nearly enough bling that you could embody for your 18th birthday, and a dress like this is only a modest attempt. Choose a golden sequined dress to wear when you pop the champagne and some golden stilettos to go with it. Wear drop earrings and a minimal pendant and keep it classy!
17 – Comfort First
If you’re the kind of girl who doesn’t want to compromise comfort for style, this fit was made for you! For a comfy yet stylish OOTD for your 18th birthday party, choose a front-buttoned green t-shirt dress like this one. Opting for one with a ruched detail as shown – will only accentuate your curves. Pair it with high boots and go for a natural make-up look.
16 – What To Wear: Pastel Lover Edition
Pastel Lover and most of the outfit inspiration is all things bling. Don’t worry, we’ve got something for you too! Style a boned, white corset with a pair of pastel patchwork pants. Complete the look with white chunky sneakers and some statement hoops. Get your birthday essentials (mostly tequila), in a pink baguette bag, and you’re good to go!
15 – Feelin’ the Blues
Bring out a blue sequinned dress with a ruching detail for your special day! The only accessory you need is a red rose to go with this, and you’ll be getting plenty of those. Wear silver tie-up stilettos with this dress and dab on some nude lipstick to turn heads as you strut into your private party at the club!
14 – Dusky Hues
Something about a bodycon brown fit that makes us unable to look away, right? Wear a deep-backed dress or something similar for your 18th birthday, and be the centre of attention! A small, silver, or golden clutch should do the trick and we suggest some gladiator heels for footwear! Wear a dark brown lipshade and some golden eyeshadow to finish the look.
13 – More Champagne, Always
Most excited about popping that bottle of champagne on your 18th? Well, dress like it! Go for a champagne nude-hued bodycon dress for a classic yet understated look. Choose light brown and clear balloons for the decor and have yourself a fun yet classy party. One of many more to come!
12 – LBDs!
I mean, you saw this one coming right? What could be sexier and more classic than a little black dress? Choose a black mini with a slit and some glitter for that oomph factor and shine brighter than everyone else – like you should sis! Have a memorable 18th, whatever you remember of it *wink*. Here are some more ideas on How to Style the Little Black Dress.
11 – Pinafore Gal
The best thing about a pinafore is undoubtedly its versatility. Choosing a bright red pinafore like this one for your 18th is truly going to make you iconic! Not only is it super chic, but it is also super comfortable. Pair it with a contrasting white turtleneck and you’re good to go! Here are some more of my favourite Pinafore dress outfits.
10 – On The Road!
Spending your 18th birthday by taking a little cross-country road trip? We wish we were you! Even on the road, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be stylish on your special day. So, we have the perfect road trip outfit for you. Style a pair of leather trousers with a comfortable T-shirt and a furry cardigan! Pick Doc Martens or sneakers for comfort.
9 – Sheer Goodness
This is easily one of our favourite picks from this curation. Perfect for a beach birthday party, this OTT sheer dress is sure to have people speechless! Layer it over all-white lingerie or a bright and colourful bikini set. Choose heels when you’re indoors and sandals when you’re living it up on the sand and in the waves. Turn 18 in style.
8 – Bringing Y2K Back
Y2k is all the rage right now and we’re not complaining. Style a pair of marble-printed flared trousers with a light brown leather top and stand out on your special day. An unconventional birthday outfit that’s so chill, it’ll have everyone pleasantly surprised. Go for heavy lashes and translucent heels. For accessories, choose small golden hoops and a pearl necklace.
7 – Queen Vibes Only
Dress like the absolute queen that you are, for your 18th birthday party. Wear an ethereal white dress with extra ruffle details and a deep neck. Go for matching white nails and a beach curls hairstyle. Wear a small pendant and some simple golden rings to not overdo it and traipse through your party collecting all the compliments.
6 – Backless Minis
What’s more iconic than an LBD? A backless LBD. Choose a bodycon, backless, black mini dress for your raging 18th birthday party and unleash the “IT” girl in you! This one has a lace detail at the hem as well and that only makes it sexier. Pair the dress with some drop earrings or big hoops and thigh-high boots to add to the persona! Don’t forget some bold red lipstick and party through the night! Here are some of the best bras to wear with backless dresses.
5 – What To Wear to Power Through
Set the mood for success and prosperous adulthood, on the very night of your 18th birthday. What better way than to dress for the role? And what better way to dress for the role than to opt for a power suit? Nothing screams authority like an all-white pantsuit. To add that little dash of mischief – ditch a shirt and wear a black bralette that peeks through. Wear high heels and your hair down. Party classy, in style.
4 – Perfect Red Dress
If this isn’t the perfect red dress for your 18th birthday, we don’t know what is. A fit and flare silhouette with an embroidery and lace detail, an off-shoulder oomph, and some lovely embellishments – this one has left us spellbound. Pair it with nude heels and don’t forget your tiara! You’re sure to feel like royalty in this dress. Complete the look with these ideas on makeup ideas to go with a red dress.
3 – Cinderella, but only when she’s Fancy
Most of us have fantasized about being a princess at some point in our lives, and what is a better way to bid childhood an official goodbye than dressing up as the favourite character of your favourite fairytale for your 18th birthday? Throw a fairytale-themed birthday party, tailor a dress, get some props, and put on a crown. Main character energy, only. Own this, Cinderella.
2 – Gorgeous Lilacs
This dress is what our dreams are made of. Boned corset, flare layering, tie-up back, dramatic sleeves and such a gorgeous shade of lilac – we just can’t get enough. Tie your hair in a half up half down style, wear some tie-up heels with this, and small, but chunky hoops. Pull the look together with some mauve lipstick and a charm necklace. Step into adulthood looking like a dream, and feeling like one too!
1 – Effortlessly Chic
Our favourite look in this curation is this effortlessly chic outfit. A simple white bodycon dress, instantly upstaged by the ruffle detail on the neckline and that pretty much does the trick. Slip into a dress like this one, leave your hair done, do a bold red lip or bright, colourful eyes and most of your work is already done. Slip into golden pumps, and accessorize with a thin golden chain and some golden hoops. Enjoy your 18th in effortless style.
That is our curation of outfit inspiration for your 18th birthday. Irrespective of what you choose to go with, we’re sure you’ll look great. Have a beautiful birthday party, and keep us posted on whether this helped!
