A quinceanera is a coming out party for a 15-year-old girl. They are most popular with girls of Mexican heritage but other Hispanic cultures also have quinceaneras including those of Puerto Rican descent. It is a large gathering that rivals a wedding, with catered food and a dance. Many people change clothes between the church ceremony and the reception, as each has a very different vibe. It is common for the church ceremony to be attended by close family and friends but the reception is open to coworkers, acquaintances and friends from school.

Women

If attending the church ceremony of the quinceanera, dress as you would to any Sunday mass (it will most likely be a Catholic service). A dress, heels and nothing too revealing. Makeup should be tasteful, and like a wedding, you should never aim to outshine the bride. For the reception and dance you can show a little more skin. There is usually anywhere from one to three hours between the church ceremony and the reception, so guests have plenty of time to go home and change (while the birthday girl and her court have pictures taken at various scenic locations). If you are only attending the dance (which is common and not frowned upon), glam it up with a fun cocktail dress and strappy sandals. You want to refrain from looking inappropriate for your age (whether you're a young girl or a mature woman), but a sexy demeanor is welcomed as it's a party atmosphere with lights and music.

Teens

Teens often attend quinceanera parties on their own. Girls should not dress too revealing, but a cute dress and heels is fine. Teens often wear jeans to quinceanera receptions and dances, especially if they are not related to the birthday girl. Dark rinse jeans translate to night for both girls and boys. For most teens, this is a chance to dress up, and you often see teenage boys in a button-up tucked into slacks and loafers. Because it is such a large event (most average at least 100 people), teens often contact friends at the last minute to attend the party. For this reason, it is also common to see teenage boys in hip-hop attire (caps, big T-shirts and baggy pants).