Party Spot - Sweet 16: What to Wear

Sweet 16: What to Wear



Let your parents worry about the boring stuff. Your top priority: The dress, of course! Start your search here with our simple rules. Depending on how formal you plan on making your party, anything goes -- well, almost anything. What to Wear: It sounds corny, but seriously, it's time to make your fashion dreams come true. Choose a dress or outfit that makes you feel (and look) amazing. Even if your party's casual, spice up your look (you're only turning 16 once, after all). Add a pair of killer earrings, splurge on wild shoes (just be sure you can walk -- and dance -- in them), or buy a top that's totally club-worthy. Basically, take your everyday look to another level. Check out Lindsay Lohan's look at left -- a glitzy top and heels make blue jeans anything but basic. If you are dressing up, choose a dress that coordinates with your party's colors -- or pick black and go with colorful accessories for a funkier look. *What Not* to Wear:** Unless your party's going to be ultraformal, skip the ball gowns and supersize dresses in favor of something a little less intense. You're going to be all over the place (especially on the dance floor, no doubt) so you're better off with something you can move in. No matter what you choose, be sure it's something you feel comfortable in -- you want to remember the amazing night you had, not the near fashion emergency you had! P.S.: Can't wait to start shopping? Check out our Dress Search! photo © Theo Wargo/WireImage.com

Search party pros near you!

promspot shop

My Prom Checklist

Keep track of your prom to-dos

Astro Style

Your star sign

Tell Us

POLL:

Astro Match

How do your signs pair up?

Say What? Never heard of one of these parties? Here's the short version.

Bat Mitzvah: The bat mitzvah (for girls) and the bar mitzvah (for guys) is a traditional Jewish coming of age party, held when the guy or girl in question turns 13 (and -- at least in theory -- becomes an adult in the eyes of the congregation). Kids spend the year before prepping to read a portion of the Torah, which is the Jewish holy scripture, during the service. These days, the service is almost always followed that night with a party for the bat mitzvah and all of her friends, plus her parents and all of their friends.

Quinceañera: The quinceañera, or quince, is a coming of age party celebrated by Latina girls on their 15th birthdays. The quince includes a special mass marked by many traditions representing the girl's arrival into womanhood. Afterward, the quinceañera is introduced at a party for all her friends and family, and she and her court of up to fourteen other couples perform elaborately choreographed dances to kick off the festivities. Like bar and bat mizvahs, there's a version of this for guys, too -- the quinceañero.

Sweet 16: The Sweet 16 party is a traditional American party that has its roots in England's (and later the American colonies') debutante scene -- dances where eligible young girls of yes, 16, were offered up as ready for marriage! Though no longer associated with weddings, Sweet 16s are still celebrated with parties that range from completely casual affairs to all-out formal extravaganzas.