How to Pick a Dress for a Sweet Sixteen Party

By eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor

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At your sweet sixteen party, you will be the center of attention. This is one special occasion that calls for a very special dress. Picking the right one for your party is a matter of knowing your own taste and personality.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Match Your Party Theme

Step1

Choose a dress that matches the theme of your party. For example, a 1950s sock hop-themed sweet sixteen party would be the perfect excuse to rent a poodle skirt and sweater ensemble from a local costume rental shop.

Step2

Pick a dress that suits the formality of the occasion. For a formal, black tie event your dress should be in the style of a ball gown, while a cotton sun dress will be perfectly suited to a family-style barbecue.

Step3

Coordinate the colors of your dress to the color scheme for your sweet sixteen. If your favorite colors are green and purple, you could select a lilac gown with a sage-green sash to tie in with the theme.

Step4

Select a dress that will let you enjoy all the activities at your big party. If you are planning on dancing the night away, your dress's hem or train should be able to be bustled up out of the way.

Step5

Choose a more traditional dress for your sweet sixteen and choose a white gown like those typically worn by debutantes entering society for the first time. For a particularly formal event, you might even consider a custom or "couture" gown in white.

Step6

Pick up accent colors in your party's color scheme by accessorizing your dress with jewelry or flowers.

Choose a Dress for Your Body Type

Step1

Make the most of your youthful figure by accentuating the waist and shoulders with your dress. A princess line bodice will draw the eye down towards the waist, making it appear smaller.

Step2

Pick a dress with a jacket or shrug if you are concerned about acne or skin imperfections on your back and shoulders. In many formal gown stores, you can have these accessories custom made to match the material of your dress.

Step3

Avoid full skirts with petticoats if you are concerned about drawing attention to your hips or bottom. An A-line silhouette or empire-waisted gown will help to minimize these areas of concern.

Tips & Warnings

Have a practice dress made before your seamstress begins construction on the real sweet sixteen ensemble. This way you'll become familiar with her work without risking your party dress.
Preserve your special dress after your party by having it professionally cleaned and packed in acid-free tissue.