Quinceanera Guest Attire? - YouLookFab Forum

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Quinceanera Guest Attire?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

For those unfamiliar-
The Quinceanera is a fifteenth birthday party celebration for Mexican girls. It's a coming of age ceremony including a full court in formal dress, special dances, food, etc. It's done along the lines of a wedding.
These are common here, but I've never personally been to one. We were just invited to a friends' for their daughter, and I'd like to expose the kids to this tradition. The only clue on the invite is that it is a Masquerade Party and Black and White Attire is Requested.
So, my questions are
1) what dress code would you wear for this (5pm)?
2) are other colors ok even though they want black/white?

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from chellebrate

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Do you have a LBD? Even a jersey one? That's what I'd wear to respect the invite, and then you can add a colored necklace or other accessory.
Have fun!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't wear black next to my face, so I don't have a LBD. Black makes me look like somebody forgot to bury me (as Dusty says). I have a dark burgundy dress coming from Loft that I was thinking might work.

Queen Mum

Veteran

We attended a Quinceanera a couple of years ago, and dressed as I would for a casual wedding.
What is the venue for the party? That would help me determine the dress code. I think other colors are fine. I can't imagine anybody is going to be too upset about a color or two showing up Your burgundy dress sounds like it might be the ticket.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It's at the Elks Club, so I guess more casual than not.

Queen Mum

Veteran

well, a hall would be more formal than someones backyard... I would go smart casual. You cant go wrong with that. Do you have a picture of you LOFT dress?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

This is the dress:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....pe=Regular

I also have the dark denim zipper one that I wore to my niece's wedding reception.(picture below)

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biscuitsmom

Veteran

If the invite said black and white, I'd try and stick with that....lovely dress in the pic!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Your denim dress is close enough to black, and it does look stunning on you with the white cropped cardi.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE the burgundy dress! I'd wear that with hose, booties and a blazer of sorts.

I learnt about a new tradition today

Srujana

Veteran

I think the dark denim dress with the cropped cardi fits the color scheme and the smart casual vibe quite well. The b-day girl and her court will be dressed to the nines but I don't think that it necessarily means that all the attendees must be as well...Hope you have a great time!

MsMary

Veteran

Out here everybody dresses to the nines for these events so I would dress up. The burgundy dress is lovely but I'd try to stick to the black and white theme so I'd pop on a black or white cardi or blazer. Or do you have a black skirt or pants and a dressy white blouse?

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I agree with MaryK, a quinceanera is a time to really dress up. It is the equivalent of a debutante ball, but less WASPy. We attended one here in Chicago a bunch of years ago, and it was amazing. The court had to learn formal dances, everyone was dancing like crazy, and there was lots and lots of evening wear.

If they asked for black and white, I would honor the request.

P.S. I would not assume much from the venue; that might have been the only hall available.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't have anything black and white that would be appropriate, or else I'd wear it.

Angie- that is exactly what I was considering, so thank you. Hopefully, the dress works out. If not- I can go with the denim dress.

tarzy

Veteran

I'd try to stick to what the invitation asks for as well. I would err on the formal side, if at all possible. Do you think you would feel under-dressed if you wore your denim dress and everyone else turns up in gowns?

Does the invitation also request that you wear a mask (for the masquerade)? What fun!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

The invite doesn't say anything about masks- I am wondering if they are going to hand some out. I think it's a really fun theme. I can't imagine that anyone in this area will wear a long gown (other than the court and maybe some high school girls trying to get some use out of formal dance dresses). I've never seen the mom in anything but sports jerseys/t's and tanks .I would think the dress would range from smart casual to cocktail, with just the court/family being formal- much like a wedding. I actually drove by the venue the other day on the way to a birthday party, and it's in the middle of nowhere. There is quite a trek across dirt just to get to the entrance. Have you been to many of these Tara?

Marley

Veteran

I have been to quite a few of these - and I have always been amazed at how formal they are! This is a really important event so,if at all possible, I would honor the black and white dress request - and err on the side of too dressy, rather than too casual.

lady

I'm going to go with honoring the request as closely as you can. do you have a black skirt? or a blk & white patterned one? Some kind of dark if not black skirt that you could pair with a white/white&black top.

I'd try to honor the invitation the best I could as long as it didn't burden me. If you dont have anything dark or black that you could work with then i'd go with the burgundy dress. but if you have any other dark neutral (charcoal, navy, ect) I'd pick that first.

I even think the denim dress could fit in bc it appears black in the small photo. i'm concerned burgundy might smack at the tradition of such a cultural event. if all else fails and burgundy is the only option, could you run it by your friend? explain since this is your first one and you don't have anything that quite fits the requested dress code would be be disrespectful to wear the burgundy. Then follow her cue.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Like I've said- I don't have anything black and white. I don't own a single skirt- I don't wear them. The only other thing in my closet that is suitable is the denim dress. I lead a very casual lifestyle and live in a very casual community. I know what the mom would say if I asked- not to buy anything new, and that whatever I have is fine. She's just that kind of person. They would rather someone come in sweats and have a good time then for it to be a burden. I'm sure the outfit that Angie suggested will be fine.

Lisa

Veteran

I think Angie's suggested outfit is fine, it's still dark so you should fit in nicely. Have fun!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I vote for the denim dress w white cardi - it looks very close to black & white on my monitor. And if you can wear it to a wedding, surely you can wear it to a bday party!!!

Queen Mum

Veteran

Khris- I agree with you 100%. Wear the burgundy... you'll be fab. I saw that dress in the store yesterday and it is really nice. Perfect!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I think you are going to be very surprised at how dressy (in a fun way) people get at these; this isn't like everyday life, this is a really important tradition in Mexican culture and an opportunity for everyone to shake off their ordinary casual attire and go for it in dressiness. That is part of the tradition itself. I daresay you won't even recognize the mom, she will be dressed to the nines.

If you don't have black, then go for the burgundy since it is at least dark, and try to use black and white accessories. I would not recommend a denim dress because the fabric is just too casual.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Khris- If it were me, I'd call the mother and ask for clarification on the dressiness. Putting the masquerade theme to it seems to indicate to me that the formality won't be as high... but it's hard to discern.
I'd call.....

lady

Sorry Chewy- I didn't read thru all the comments earlier and see where you clearly stated that.

You'll look great in that Burgundy dress, hope you'll post pics of it in action!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I wouldn't wear the white shrug with the denim dress anyway- I'd be too cold.
I'm sure that in some circles, these are very dressy events. I don't think we are in those circles Kristen. It's a beer and pizza crowd. The invitation was a flyer that looked like it was printed on their home computer (or maybe copied en mase at the copy center). If the dress code were formal, I'm sure that would be stated. Like Kim said- the theme seems to dictate less formality. I will ask mom when I see her Saturday.

Vix

Veteran

Chewyspaghetti --

I'm glad you're going to ask the Mom because I am with the crowd saying you may be surprised by the level of dressiness (which really doesn't mean you have to match it given you are outside their cultural loop, but getting as close as possible would be nice).

My Mexican-American neighbors (non-ritzy 'hood, non-dressy region!) have tons of family parties in the yard and the adult guests are dressed UP, especially for the ones that are birthdays.

tarzy

Veteran

Chewy - this raises such an interesting point about invitations and dress codes in general!

I think any time you're invited to an event, there's a certain amount of play between what's "expected" and what most people can manage. Ideally, I think we all want to show respect for the time and effort (and expense) someone puts into planning an event, but also be realistic about our outfits. I feel as long as you're dressed appropriately for the occasion, you'll be fine. I think it's really fun to participate in a theme as much as possible - but hey, if you don't own any black and white, that's just reality. I'm sure you'll dress in a way that honors the occasion.

Anyway, I just wanted to say - I think the bottom line is to enjoy the party, and whether you're wearing burgundy or blue or black & white - ultimately it doesn't really matter. It's a celebration! You'll look great, you'll have fun - and I hope you'll tell us all about it!

chellebrate

Khris, the quince's here are quite formal. Like some of the others have said, the venue and all that really haven't been an indication of how dressy people will be. The families around here are the "pit a pig or roast a goat in the backyard and drink beer" type families. Yet, when it comes to the quince, they get dressed up. (As an aside, I've noticed the same kids really dress up when it's time for the 8th grade promotion pictures as well in comparison to the other kids.)