21st Birthday Outfits – 6 Perfect Looks for Your Special Day

This post will show you cute 21st birthday outfits perfect for any celebration.

Turning 21 soon? This calls for an amazing, show-stopping ensemble to celebrate the special occasion in!

You may be feeling the pressure of trying to put together the perfect look, but this guide is here to help make you look and feel your best on your big day (or night).

Whether you’re heading out for a fun evening with friends or just keeping it chill, we have six outfit ideas perfect for celebrating your 21st birthday in, along with fashion tips for the occassion. Cheers to another year and happy birthday!

Key Pieces for a 21st Birthday Celebration:

Before we get to the fashion picks, here are a few must-have items for a 21st birthday look:

• Crossbody bag, wristlet, or clutch with wrist strap — For a wild night out, you don’t want to be burdened by a heavy bag or one that’s difficult to carry. Go for a crossbody, wristlet, or clutch that attaches to you, so that you won’t lose your money and ID.
• 21st birthday tiara, sash, or light-up shot glass – These are optional but so much fun! Aside from perhaps a bachelorette party, a 21st birthday is the ONLY time you’ll have a built-in excuse to look completely ridiculous at the bars and restaurants. It’s your birthday, so live it up! These will also encourage others to celebrate you while you’re out (i.e., buy you a drink).
• Amazing dress — Your 21st birthday is the perfect opportunity to splurge on that perfect party dress – go for something you absolutely love, and make sure it’s something you’ll be able to dance in. 21st birthday dresses are supposed to be fun and head-turning!
• Flashy heels — It’s your birthday, so why not make a statement with your footwear? Something sexy, sparkly, or bright is a must for your 21st!
• Plenty of jewelry — This is the ultimate occasion to sparkle, so pile on all the bling.
• Lipgloss — You’ll want to freshen up as the night goes on. Glossy lips are always a bonus.

5 Best Stores for 21st Birthday Dresses:

1. Princess Polly — Super trendy and affordable going-out dresses and two-piece sets.
2. Lulus — Great for cute and girly dresses that won’t break the bank, either.
3. Revolve — On the pricier side, but a huge selection of fashion-forward frocks that are ideal for special occasions.
4. Windsor Store — Here, you’ll find sexy and sparkly dresses that are budget-friendly.
5. Forever 21 — We couldn’t leave this one out! 😉 

Now for the looks! Whether you’re planning for a casual day with your best friends or a night out on the town with your squad, below are six different 21st birthday outfits to wear on your special day.

6 Different 21st Birthday Outfits To Wear On Your Special Day

1. Outfit #1 – Birthday Party Outfit

Your 21st birthday definitely deserves a celebration, and what better way to celebrate than with a party in your honor?!

There couldn’t be a more appropriate dress for the special occasion, considering this pink frock is literally called the “Birthday Cake” dress. With its layers of mesh ruffles, deep V halter-neck, and open back, this pink mini dress is as sweet as its name suggests!

Glam it up with some satin rhinestone ankle-strap pointed-toe pumps featuring rhinestone bows. Since the pumps have silver details, opt for silver jewelry that also has a girly coquette vibe, like these adorable silver bow earrings.

Bring the look together with some sparkly pink lip gloss, like Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Lumizer in a shimmering soft pink hue.

2. Outfit #2 – Dressy Outfit

For your birthday you may be going somewhere fun that has a bit of a fancier dress code, or you just want to be a little “extra” and steal the spotlight. This 21st birthday outfit is going to help you do just that!

Go for the gold with this gold sequin fringe mini dress that was made for dancing the night away. Its bands of swingy, sequin fringe will move with you throughout your special night, and its sparkly gold metallic color is guaranteed to attract attention.

Accessorize with equally glam and golden accessories like some gold teardrop earrings and a tennis bracelet with diamante details that looks expensive but is actually budget-friendly.

These gold strappy heeled sandals are fancy, but their stylish sculptural heel actually provides some stability compared to stilettos, making them a smarter footwear choice.

Complete the ensemble with an ecru mini bag — this one has both a top handle and a chain crossbody strap, so that you won’t need to worry about misplacing it during your night out.

3. Outfit #3 – Birthday Dinner Outfit

A lot of times people choose to go to a nice restaurant for dinner for their birthday. If this is what you are doing, you could consider wearing a cute two-piece set!

For example, this burgundy corset top and coordinating maxi skirt are made with satin fabric that makes them look dressy, and the burgundy hue is especially on-trend this season. You can also consider wearing a two-piece set with pants, or a full jumpsuit.

Add in trendy, eye-catching accessories like a leopard print mini handbag (with a crossbody strap, of course), large gold hoop earrings, and a corded necklace with a gold heart pendant.

Some clear nude mule heels will look seamless with this ensemble, plus they’ll match just about everything in your wardrobe, making them a worthwhile purchase.

4. 21st Birthday Outfit #4 – Casual Outfit

Keeping things casual on your twenty-first? No worries! You can still look cute while being laid-back. (And even if you don’t have any major plans, you should still put yourself together on your birthday, because when you look good, you feel good.)

Try following the “jeans and a cute top” formula, except consider swapping your everyday jeans out for a denim mini skirt, instead. This looks slightly dressier, while still being casual.

On top, wear something that is a bit more elevated than a basic t-shirt or cami; for example, this floral print tank top with a coordinating neck tie, which is adorable but can be worn day or night.

As for shoes, go for some flat sandals or some cute yet comfy sneakers like Adidas Samba sneakers which come in a ton of different colors — this white and pink pair match the outfit perfectly.

Since this is still your special day, don’t forget to accessorize your ensemble with fun jewelry like these “mismatched” heart earrings and a metal chain belt for added shine.

5. Outfit #5 – Going Out Outfit

Going out with friends for your 21st birthday is practically a right of passage! If you’re planning on hitting the town (clubs, bars, etc.), you’ll need a show-stopping look that’s going to turn heads, and a sparkly mini skirt is the answer!

A silver sequin mini skirt is a must-have for any extra special events like a concert or your birthday. Since it’s such a bold piece, wear it with something simple yet sleek on top, like a black one-shoulder bodysuit. This one features a silver metal buckle detail that ties in with the skirt’s silver metallic construction.

Make a statement with some black knee-high heeled boots (black heeled sandals or pumps would work, too) and matching silver jewelry, like some knotted earrings.

This chic mini handbag is ideal for a night out, featuring a matching silver handle, crossbody strap, plus “Brat” green for a pop of ultra-trendy color.

6. Outfit #6 – Sign Night Outfit

Sign night, anyone? A popular thing college girls do for their 21st birthday is a sign night. This is a fun night out where your friends create a sign with a list of 21 things you have to do for your birthday, often involving outrageous tasks meant to create unforgettable memories.

Since this is your big night out, don’t be afraid to steal the spotlight with your outfit! A hot pink sequin mini dress is sure to garner attention (in a good way). It’s a dress fit for a birthday queen!

Speaking of queens, you’ll need a crown and a sash to let everyone else at the party or bar know that you’re celebrating, and this duo is an amazing (and affordable) option.

Be sure to accessorize with a few more sparkly pieces like some silver tassel dangle drop earrings and some silver ankle-strap heeled sandals with rhinestone embellishments for the perfect final touches.

What do you think of these 21st birthday outfits?

For more birthday ideas, be sure to see our guide to 20 Fun Ways to Celebrate Your 25th Birthday.

Which of the outfit ideas above is your favorite? Do you have any suggestions for girls planning out what to wear for their birthdays? Tell us in the comments below!

For more 21st Birthday ideas, check out our related posts below –

• 6 Unique and Thoughtful 21st Birthday Gifts 
• DIY Tutorial: Birthday Crown 
• 10 Fun Ideas for Celebrating Summer Birthdays 
• First Birthday Away at College? Here’s How to Make it Rock! 
• 4 Cute Birthday Outfits | Birthday Girl Fashion Guide