Birthday Dresses: 15 Designer Party Dresses for Every Kind of Celebration

The short answer: the right birthday dress depends on the plan. For a dinner, a structured mini such as the Crystal Slash Mini Dress. For a night out, The Icon Mini Dress. For a milestone birthday party, something with feathers, like the Black Crystal Feather Long Sleeve Mini Dress. For a black tie birthday, a gown such as the Corset Mermaid Gown. All four are from LOULOU and fit true to size. Browse all designer dresses.

A birthday dress should feel like an occasion without being a costume. That is why we keep coming back to LOULOU for this. LOULOU is an independent Romanian label founded in Bucharest in 2012 by Andra Turcanu. The house designs in Florence, takes its energy from Los Angeles, and makes every piece in its own Bucharest atelier. The label makes party dresses with real structure, and it uses crystals, feathers and velvet with some restraint.

Birthday dresses by occasion

Our picks

1. The Icon Mini Dress

A strapless crepe mini with a crystal orchid. The brand’s signature piece, and a perfect birthday dress.

2. Crystal Slash Mini Dress

Pink crepe with crystal slashes. It photographs beautifully.

3. Scarlet Velvet Mini Dress

Red silk velvet with crystal drops, for a December birthday.

4. Velvet Bow Mini Dress

Black silk velvet and taffeta with a sculpted bow.

5. Black Crystal Feather Long Sleeve Mini Dress

Long sleeves and a feathered hem.

6. Ivory Rose Mini Dress

Ivory crepe covered in rose appliques. A soft choice for a daytime party.

7. Crystal Embellished Cutout Mini Dress

Red crepe with a crystal framed cut-out.

8. Scarlet Leather Dress

Red lamb leather with sharp shoulders and a crystal hem.

9. Leather Corset Dress

A black leather corset with a feathered skirt.

10. Crystal Buckle Cutout Mini Dress

Purple crepe with crystal buckles at the waist.

11. Crystal Detailed Mini Dress

A lime boucle mini with crystals, made for a summer birthday.

12. Embellished Velvet Mini Dress

Black velvet with beading and a pink taffeta train.

13. Corset Mermaid Gown

For the black tie birthday. Pink crepe and silk taffeta with a crystal corset.

14. Velvet Cutout Feather Gown

Purple velvet with crystal buckles and an ostrich feather skirt.

15. Satin Feather Trim Set

If you prefer separates, this black satin set with feather trims does the same job.

How to choose a birthday dress

Start with the venue. A restaurant suits a mini with sleeves. A club suits something short and easy to move in. A hotel ballroom suits a gown.

Pick your colour. Red and pink photograph well at night. Black always works, so add one statement detail.

Plan the photographs. Crystal and feathers catch the flash. Velvet and satin look rich in low light.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear on my birthday?

Wear something that feels like an occasion and still lets you move: a structured mini for dinner, a feather trim dress for a party, a gown for black tie.

What colour dress is best for a birthday?

Red, pink and black are the most popular. Red and pink photograph well in the evening. Black lets the detail lead.

What do you wear to a 30th birthday party?

A statement mini dress is the classic choice. Look at The Icon Mini Dress and the Crystal Slash Mini Dress from LOULOU.

Are LOULOU dresses true to size?

Yes. The brand says its designs fit true to size. XS is a UK 6.

How far ahead should I order a birthday dress?

Two to three weeks gives you time for delivery and any alterations. Some LOULOU pieces are made to order, so allow longer for those.

Read next: rhinestone dresses, feather trim dresses, and New Year’s Eve dresses.