Birthday outfit ideas: Here's how to celebrate in style

There are two types of people in the world, the ones that start planning their birthday outfit ideas six months ahead of time, and those who are frantically online shopping the week before (even though the date never changes).

Another year around the sun is a cause for celebration and a more than legitimate excuse to treat yourself to a new outfit. Whether you’re throwing a party (in which case why not dial up the glamour with a shimmering outfit glitzy enough to rival the sparklers on your cake) or are enjoying a more low-key family meal or summer BBQ (look to printed midis and color-pop coords to liven up your look), you deserve to feel your best. Because, if you can’t be the center of attention on your birthday, then when can you?

Of course, it’s not just our own birthdays we’re celebrating with a new outfit, and the pressure is still on to nail a great birthday outfit so that you look good when you’re toasting to friends and family too. And if you're attending a big bash rather than throwing one, you can take the same inspiration as for your own special day, just with a slightly more pared-back approach. 

Birthday outfit ideas - what to wear according to an expert

When it comes to birthday outfit ideas you want to first start with how the occasion will be celebrated. If it's your party, of course, you'll want your look to stand out from the crowd, but it's still important to pick something that is stylishly appropriate for the event itself, as what you'll need for a quiet pub dinner with family or friends, will be different to a full-blown, dancefloor party. Our expert runs through the different types of birthday celebrations and how to dress for them. 

1. Dinner with friends

If your birthday celebration of choice is dinner with friends, then the classic combination of “jeans and a nice top” is the ideal smart casual outfit idea. Keep your denim dark (black or indigo) and pair with anything from an oversized shirt to a patterned kimono, a romantic blouse, or a subtle sequin cami - so your top half is the dressy part of the ensemble and your bottom half is a bit more subtle

If jeans aren't your thing, have no fear. Smart/casual can be executed in lots of ways and makes for great birthday outfit ideas. Investigate what to wear with wide-leg pants, or try an A-line midi to give you much the same party-ready aesthetic. 

Styling tip: Separates are great for casual occasions, allowing you to dress them up or down and get additional wear out of pieces at a later date.

2. Bottomless brunch

If you can’t let the bubbles flow on your birthday, then when can you? Heading out for brunch requires your outfit to feel more daytime appropriate than an after-dark party, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up. Look to coordinated separates to pull your look together, or try a flattering jumpsuit for an item that effortlessly feels dressed-down and party-ready all at the same time. Stick to neutral shades like safari-inspired neutrals and on-trend pastels to stop your outfit from feeling too dressy (this isn’t an occasion for black and jewel tones). 

Style tip: While you're essentially looking for the best brunch outfit ideas, if you opt for a co-ord, choose pieces that can be later styled separately, such as a wide-leg pair of pants you can team with a tee or a blazer you can slip over your best dresses for another occasion.

3. Date night

Birthdays mean more when they’re spent with the person you love most. If your other half is treating you to a birthday date night, then you might want to inject a little romance into your outfit too. We love traditionally fiery and feminine shades, like pink and red, as well as tactile fabrics like silk and velvet. Depending on the venue, dress up your birthday outfit with your best designer heels or keep it relaxed with an oversized blazer and comfortable flats. 

Style tip: Wondering how to style a blazer for a chic finish? Wear your blazer slung over your shoulders for an effortless, borrowed-from-the-boys feel. It's also a great way of balancing out proportions of more slim-fitting pieces.

4. Big party

If you're looking for an excuse to wear sequins (and let's face it, who isn't), birthday outfit ideas are made for sparkles. Whether it’s a milestone birthday or simply another year to celebrate, throwing a big party is guaranteed to make your day feel extra special. Of course, this calls for an extra special outfit, so now’s the time to pull out all the stops. Think sequins, feathers, fringing - all of which are considered within the Fall 2022 fashion trends, so should be easy to find (particularly as we hurtle towards the Holiday season. The best midi dresses are an obvious choice, but it’s not the only option. Consider a statement jumpsuit or suit for a more modern take. 

A style tip: Keep your accessories on the muted side and let your clothes do the talking on this one. The last thing you want is to lose a striking outfit amongst too much jewelry. 

5. Barbecue or picnic

Summer birthday? Lucky you. If you're looking for picnic outfit ideas that will work for a birthday too, match the weather and turn up the brightness by going all-out with bold prints and eye-catching colors. 

To stay cool, confident, and most importantly comfortable, look to natural fabrics like cotton and linen over anything overly synthetic. If lawn games or a quick round of rounders is on the cards, stick to comfy shoes (ideally a trainer) but if it’s a less sports-focused situation, then elevate the look with a chic pair of block-heeled mules (so you don't sink into the grass, but can kick your shoes off and relax).

Style tip: The best sunglasses are a relatively inexpensive way to add personality to your look. Rectangular frames are a huge sunglasses trend for 2022. 

6. Overnight stay / Weekend away

If you're lucky enough to be heading off on a mini break for your or a loved one's birthday, short-haul trips can often mean limited luggage, so it pays to pack smart. We suggest choosing pieces you can dress up or down, like a floral midi dress that will look great with heels for dinner, and just as good with white trainers or your best cowboy boots for a walk the next day. Finish your look with one of the best crossbody bags, a practical choice for sightseeing, keeping your essentials safe, and you, hands-free. 

Style tip: We love the idea of giving a nod to your surroundings through your outfit. Think whimsical floral prints for a weekend in the country or a smart blazer for a city break. 

7. Cocktails

Just as the ultimate cocktail requires a perfectly shaken combination of ingredients, dressing for sipping them is all about bringing a little extra fizz to your outfit. Use this as your opportunity to have fun with your look and push your sartorial boundaries. Think bold animal prints like leopard, zebra, and tiger, Crayola brights, and eye-catching shapes like super wide-leg trousers and voluminous sleeves. Remember that age-old Coco Chanel quote about taking off one accessory before leaving the house? We say try the opposite and embrace a maximalist approach. Cheers! 

Styling tip: Use black as a base to ground more vibrant pieces, making them feel evening-appropriate and avoid one big color clash.

8. Family lunch

Sometimes the best birthday celebrations are the ones that feel more lowkey. A family lunch might not require the same kind of glitz and glamour as a full-on party, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still dress up. A nice approach is to think of ways you can make your everyday outfits feel fancier, without investing in things you won’t wear again. It might be a luxe handbag, a pair of heels, a statement blazer, big earrings - whatever makes you feel special and perhaps can also act as a self-gift to mark the occasion.

Style tip: Choose one print and complement it with similar tones to create synergy across the look.

How do you pick a birthday outfit?

Deciding on your birthday outfit can be tricky business. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, the amount of choice available can be overwhelming. We recommend organizing your birthday plans first, and then picking an outfit - not the other way around. It’s far easier to think about birthday outfit ideas when you can imagine yourself in the setting. For example, jeans and a nice top might hit the right mark for dinner with friends but could feel underwhelming if you’re throwing a fancy party. Time of day matters too, which can impact the shades and level of embellishment you opt for. Bright and light colors will keep your daytime looks feeling fresh, while rich jewel tones and darker hues like black, charcoal, and grey are ideal for adding a sultry feel to evening looks

Thinking about previous outfits you’ve felt amazing in is a starting point, as these will help you narrow down the vast options in terms of styles and silhouettes and possibly even brands too. 

Do you always feel gorgeous in a midi dress? Cool in a suit? Think about why you liked these outfits - was it the nipped-in waist? The flattering cut of the sleeves? The hue that really suited you? Taking these elements into account when picking your birthday outfit will help you choose something spot-on. Hip hip, hooray!