How to find the perfect birthday dress/outfit

I recently celebrated my birthday, so yeah, happy birthday to me!!!! I love celebrating my birthday. I like to think of it as my very own New Year. It's my opportunity to thank God for all He's done in my life and to celebrate me and how far I've come.

Most of us celebrate our special day with family and friends and we try to look our best for the occasion. We want the day to be all about us, but more importantly, we want to feel fabulous. Yeah, I know it's a tad selfish and self centered, but hey, it only happens once a year. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for that perfect birthday outfit.

First, find an outfit that represents who you are and embodies your fashion personality. It's your birthday and you shouldn't try to be someone else. The perfect outfit should define you as an individual. Basically, folks who know you should look at your outfit and think, "that's so you!"   

Second, pick an outfit that flatters your body type. The last thing you want is to be self-conscious on your special day. You should relax and have a good time, but you can't do that if your outfit makes you uncomfortable because it isn't flattering. Ultimately, you can only pull off an outfit if it's perfect for your body.

Finally, make sure your outfit is a showstopper. Yup! What better day to reel in those compliments than your birthday. Let your outfit do the talking for you. Let it tell the world how fabulous you are. Note that your outfit can be simple and still be a show stopper.

I knew I wanted to wear something special for my birthday, but I had no idea what it would be. Then I walked into a boutique and my eyes beheld this beauty of a dress. It stood out as it was the only one of its kind in the entire store. So imagine my delight when I discovered it was my size. I knew instantly that I had found my birthday dress.

It's the perfect dress for me because it's a flattering showstopper that represents two things that define my fashion personality - edgy and girlie.  The high neck and cap sleeves are too cool for school while the dramatic high-low flare is flirty. Another plus is that it's black and white - my favorite color combo!

So what do you think? Did I pull this off or what?

Photographed by Chichi A.