QUINCEANERA CHARM / Oct 21, 2022

HOW TO DRESS FOR A QUINCEANERA AS A FEMALE GUEST

So you're headed to a quinceañera? A quinceañera is the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday and marks her entrance into womanhood. Typically these are big, lavish events with lots of food, dancing, and fabulous outfits. So if you've scored an invite, get ready for a great time.

But you must be wondering: how do I dress for a quinceanera?

To help you find the perfect outfit as a female guest, we're walking you through some dos and don'ts—plus three dresses for inspiration.

💄 Dressing for a Quinceañera: Dos and Don’ts 🎀

1. Do ✔️: wear formal attire

Quinceañera celebrations aren't your average birthday party. So, the dress code is usually formal attire. You could wear a long evening gown, a shorter cocktail dress, a two-piece dress, trousers or a skirt with a nice blouse to dress for the occasion.

When choosing your outfit, it may be helpful to ask about the dress code. We recommend keeping your hemline and neckline a bit more modest if you're attending the religious ceremony before the reception.

navy satin ruffle hem short babydoll dress

Get the look: style GS1603 | Sequin and Rhinestone Bodice Satin Short Dress /w Side Pockets

2. Do ✔️: accessorize and style your hair

When ladies ask us how to dress for a quinceañera, most just inquire about the outfit. To create a winning look, you can't forget about the smaller details, like your accessories and hair. Colorful and bold jewelry are great picks for a quinceañera! Regarding your hairstyle, you can never go wrong with a chic updo. While many ladies wear heels and wedges, we recommend packing a pair of flats so you can hit the dance floor all night.

green strapless tulle babydoll short dress

Get the look: style GS1050 | Strapless Sweetheart Tulle Short Dress with Pleated Bodice and Jewel Detailing

3. Don’t ❌: upstage the birthday girl

While you're expected to dress to impress, you should steer clear of any outfits that will compete with the birthday girl’s quinceañera dress. Most wear ball gowns, but perhaps she'll go for something simpler. You can always ask her or her parents what she's wearing to make sure you've dialed down your look. On this day, all eyes should be on her.

4. Don’t ❌: wear the quinceañera’s theme colors

Quinceañeras usually have a color theme. It may be white (to signify purity), or it may be very colorful. We've seen all sorts of themes, from Monte Carlo to Under the Sea. And each has a set of colors that guide the decorations, the court's outfits, and perhaps even the birthday girl's dress. If you don't know the theme, ask! You definitely want to avoid these colors. Don't worry, you have many others to choose from!

⚡️ Dressing for a Quinceañera: Inspiration 💭

1. Long evening gown

If you're wondering how to dress for a quinceañera with a religious ceremony beforehand, a long evening gown with a high neckline would be perfect!

You can choose a bright and colorful dress or one that's a more neutral color, like champagne, mauve, or black.

Jazz up your outfit with shiny fabrics and embellishments. Sparkle is a-ok when it comes to dressing for a quinceañera!

What about your hair? With a high neckline, we recommend an updo, like a sleek ponytail or low bun.

Get the look: style GL2613 | Jewel Embellished Bodice Lace Long Dress

2. Cocktail dress

When it comes to dressing for a quinceañera, you have many options—but cocktail dresses are some of the most versatile. You can dress them up or down, depending on the dress code.

If you want to rock a brighter color, you can't go wrong with red. It's great for any time of year. (But just make sure the birthday girl isn't wearing this fiery hue!)

Looking for a silhouette recommendation? Our go-to is always the A-line cut. It hugs your body at all the right places and flatters any body type. Add a thin belt to accentuate the waist further.

While we love a lil sparkle, we know it's not for everyone. Another way to dial up the glam is by choosing a lux fabric, like lace.

Get the look: style GS2807 | Lace Embellished Bodice Chiffon Short Dress

3. Two-piece dress

Wondering how to dress for a quinceañera in a unique way? You've got to see the two-piece dress trend.

Two-piece dresses are so fun and capture the vibe of many quinceañeras. You can find them in cute floral fabrics too. If the quinceañera is in the summer, this style is absolutely perfect!

But because your midriff is showing, we recommend checking in with the host to make sure it meets the dress code.

Get the look: style GL2259 | Halter-Neck Two-Piece Floral Print Long Dress

Find More Style Inspo!

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