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Birthday Dresses

15 Head-Turning Birthday Dresses, Whether You Love Thigh-High Slits or Cutouts

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A birthday dress is a big deal. Your birthday presents an annual opportunity to indulge your fashion fantasies and find a look that perfectly captures personality. If you're hosting a celebration for family and friends, you may feel more inclined to go shopping. But let's be honest: dressing up for a solo birthday date is just as worthy of a head-turning look, too. Take advantage of the occasion by exploring this season's fashion trends and merging them with your personal style to find a birthday dress that's uniquely you. Take inspiration from celebs who celebrated their birthdays recently, like Olivia Rodrigo, who leaned into the Y2K fashion aesthetic with a pink lacy skirt set and a cowboy hat. Or take a cue from Tommy Dorfman, who endorsed the naked-dress trend at her 30th birthday party in a sheer and shiny minidress. Another option? Go Suni Lee's route and opt for a classic little black dress with a plunging neckline, or try Millie Bobby Brown's way and dazzle in a purple sequin dress.

Alternatively, look back at past birthday dresses you've worn, and write down patterns. Do you have a white-birthday-dress tradition and want to stick to a colour theme? Or do you gravitate toward a particular silhouette? Perhaps you like edgy minis with cutouts or romantic corseted maxis with subtle details? Read on for a helpful guide that will simplify your search for a birthday dress.

How to Choose the Right Birthday Dress

Narrowing down the list of potential birthday dresses is challenging. There are countless silhouettes, patterns, colours, and shapes, all of which can easily overwhelm. But once you find the right one, something will just click. You'll feel confident and excited about celebrating your next chapter. Make a list of the details that are most important to you (fit, comfort, designer, etc.), and keep your budget in mind.

How to Style Your Birthday Dress

Base your accessories on your dress so it remains the focal point of your birthday look. An off-the-shoulder silhouette lends itself to a choker or chunky chain necklace, while a pendant might be the best way to enhance a plunging neckline. As for shoes, consider the dress style and your comfort needs. Heels, of course, dial up the dressiness. But if the birthday dress you end up choosing grazes the floor, the footwear won't necessarily matter as much, so your favourite flats, sandals, or sneakers will work just fine. Keep scrolling to shop our edit of stylish birthday dresses available at a range of price points.

Birthday Dresses: Good American Scuba U Corset Midi Dress

A great black dress will make you feel like you can take on the world. And this Good American Scuba U Corset Midi Dress ($139) is it. We love the playful cutout at the neckline and formfitting bodice. Finish yours with pointy heels or sleek sandals.

Image Source: goodamerican.com
Good American Scuba U Corset Midi Dress
$139
from goodamerican.com
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Birthday Dresses: With Jéan Chloe Corset Dress

Get an instant dose of confidence once you slip into this With Jéan Chloe Corset Dress ($239). It comes in several colour ways, and the micro mini is delivering serious '90s Posh Spice vibes. Keep your neck bare or accessorise with a dainty chain necklace.

Image Source: withjean.com
With Jéan Chloe Corset Dress
$239
from withjean.com
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Birthday Dresses: House of CB Pleated Satin Midi Dress

Perfect for a birthday dinner or date night, this House of CB Pleated Satin Midi Dress ($269) is designed to turn heads. From the plunging neckline and corseted bodice to the high-low hemline, this style will be one of your go-to dressy items for years to come. The white style will look crisp, but it also comes in other colours.

Image Source: nordstrom.com
House of CB Pleated Satin Midi Dress
$269
from nordstrom.com
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Birthday Dresses: Hanifa Soraya II Dress

A printed dress is an easy way to stand out on your birthday, and this Hanifa Soraya II Dress ($279) is just waiting to be worn. With its eye-catching pattern, sleeveless silhouette, and comfortable fit, you'll be at ease while on holiday with your girlfriends or exploring your own city in style. Pair it with a dainty gold chain necklace and matching earrings, and finish with slingback pumps or strappy heels.

Image Source: hanifa.co
Hanifa Soraya II Dress
$279
from hanifa.co
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Birthday Dresses: Eloquii Blazer Dress With Cutout Detail

Whether you're headed to pre-birthday drinks or showing up to a surprise office party hosted by your colleagues, this Eloquii Blazer Dress With Cutout Detail ($140) will deliver every time. The tailored silhouette easily goes from the office to the real celebration later in the evening.

Image Source: eloquii.com
Eloquii Blazer Dress With Cutout Detail
$140
from eloquii.com
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Birthday Dresses: Victor Glemaud Single Shoulder Dress

An off-the-shoulder style like this Victor Glemaud Single Shoulder Dress ($417, originally $595) will tell everyone just who the lady of the hour is. It's understated yet elegant, plus the classic black hue makes it easy to pair with the jewellery and shoes you already own. Enhance the neckline with a chain necklace or go bare to keep the one-shoulder neckline as the main focus.

Image Source: shopbop.com
Victor Glemaud Single Shoulder Dress
$417
from shopbop.com
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Birthday Dresses: Lioness Hysteria Knit Dress

The cutout trend just keeps gaining momentum this season, and you can easily tap into the trend for your birthday. For a daytime brunch or chic beach day, opt for this summery Lioness Hysteria Knit Dress ($40, originally $79), which comes with on-trend keyhole cutouts. Complete your look with strappy heels or slide sandals depending on the occasion.

Image Source: shopbop.com
Lioness Hysteria Knit Dress
$40
from shopbop.com
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Birthday Dresses: Kai Collective Gaia Tube Mesh Dress

Created in collaboration with designer Adebusola Adetona, the Kai Collective Gaia Tube Mesh Dress ($167) is an absolute stunner. It conveys easy elegance, plenty of visual interest, and a sense of playfulness, all of which are right on-theme for a birthday celebration. Style this beauty with flat strappy sandals for brunch during the day or with high kitten heels for the afterparty.

Image Source: kaicollective.com
Kai Collective Gaia Tube Mesh Dress
$167
from kaicollective.com
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Birthday Dresses: The Attico Mini Dress

With its thigh-high slit and flirty straps, The Attico Mini Dress ($850) is an obvious birthday dress choice. The baby blue hue pairs perfectly with white slingback heels, silver jewellery, and a tiny top-handle bag.

Image Source: modaoperandi.com
The Attico Mini Dress
$850
from modaoperandi.com
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Birthday Dresses: Area Crystal Buckle One Shoulder Dress

If you're in the mood to splurge, this Area Crystal Buckle One Shoulder Dress ($650) should be at the top of your list. The belted accents and cutouts are like built-in accessories, so you don't need much to complete the look. A pair of black strappy heels and a silver bag will do the trick.

Image Source: shopbop.com
Area Crystal Buckle One Shoulder Dress
$650
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

Birthday Dresses: Self Portrait Ribbed-Knit Off-The-Shoulder Midi Dress

You can count on this Self Portrait Ribbed-Knit Off-The-Shoulder Midi Dress ($495) to ensure that you're the best-dressed guest at a summer wedding or at your own birthday party. The ribbed knit fabric is comfortable against the skin, and the cross-over bodice looks impossibly chic. Enhance the bare neckline with a chunky gold necklace and finish with sleek mules.

Image Source: modaoperandi.com
Self Portrait Ribbed-Knit Off-The-Shoulder Midi Dress
$495
from modaoperandi.com
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Birthday Dresses: Staud Gabrielle Dress

Corset dresses are everywhere this summer, and this Staud Gabrielle Dress ($265) is a favourite for a reason. The off-the-shoulder silhouette shows off a little skin, while the corset bodice hugs you in all the right places. Style it with colourful kitten heels and a matching clutch before heading out the door.

Image Source: staud.clothing
Staud Gabrielle Dress
$265
from staud.clothing
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Birthday Dresses: V. Chapman Calla Lily Gown

For an upscale birthday dinner, this sage-green V. Chapman Calla Lily Gown ($385) will guarantee a head-turning entrance. While this style also comes in black or white, the pale green is especially ideal for spring and summer. Finish with gold heels and matching accessories.

Image Source: revolve.com
V. Chapman Calla Lily Gown
$385
from revolve.com
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Birthday Dresses: Bronx and Banco Maya Dress

Bare it all (or close to it) in this Bronx and Banco Maya Dress ($550). With its sheer glittery fabric and body-hugging fit, this dress is going to make it crystal clear who the birthday girl is. Black heels and sparkly hoops finish the look.

Image Source: revolve.com
Bronx and Banco Maya Dress
$550
from revolve.com
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