Sweet Sixteen dresses are a rite of passage for many young women, as this dress marks the occasion of a woman's passage from childhood into adulthood. When this epic birthday approaches, it is important to do one's research and find the perfect dress with which to mark the occasion.

The dress is a major piece of any Sweet Sixteen celebration. Thus, it is important to choose a garment the flatters the birthday girl and is age appropriate. Take everything into consideration, from the color of your hair to skin tone to the shape of the body. If you start your Sweet Sixteen planning early on, it gives a birthday girl time to shop around and try on different dresses.

Always think about the theme of the Sweet Sixteen celebration when choosing a dress. If the theme is Hollywood, one might want to go with a longer dress and gloves, which might not quite fit a theme of Pretty in Pink. Ultimately, the birthday girl can wear whatever she wants, but fitting in with the theme may make the event that much more special and memorable.

When it comes time to choose your Sweet Sixteen dress, stay away from trends. We've all looked at old photographs from back in the day and laughed at some of the ridiculous fashions.  You don't want to look back at your Sweet Sixteen in embarrassment. Instead, choose a dress that is as classic as it is beautiful. You may think being trendy means being cool, but if you don't actually like how the dress feels on your frame or how it looks or are buying it because of the designer or because it is in fashion, you could end up with a dress that is sub par.

If you are looking for a Sweet Sixteen dress, make sure to try it on. A dress may look perfect on the rack might look completely different on a girl’s frame. If the birthday girl plans to where high heels, she should bring shoes that are the approximate height. Always shop around for the dress: you never know where the perfect piece may live. Look everywhere, from department stores to consignment shops to thrift stores or the Internet. Once you know the dress you want, you can then hunt down the best possible price.