I turned 28 last weekend, and somehow I ended up in this champagne sequin mermaid dress at an old theatre. Looking at the photos now, I still kind of can't believe it, because 18‑year‑old me would have run the other way. I probably couldn't even walk in heels back then.

The dress was a last‑minute decision. I went in thinking I'd get a black velvet number, but everything I tried was either too loose at the waist or too tight at the hips. The sales assistant handed me this shiny thing and said "just try it, no harm." I rolled my eyes internally – sequins and a mermaid cut on my frame? Disaster waiting to happen. But then I put it on, pulled the lace up back, and caught myself in the mirror. Wait. I actually have a waist?

I'm 5 foot 4 and hover around 157 pounds, so formal gowns usually betray me in some way. This one had enough structure in the bodice to hold things in place, and the open back meant I could adjust the tightness myself. Halfway through dinner I loosened it a notch after a big slice of cake, and nobody even noticed.

The sequins are everywhere. Like, everywhere. When I walked, little flecks of light bounced off the floor. My friend said I looked like a disco ball that escaped a 70s party. But surprisingly, the fabric didn't itch – I've worn sequined stuff before that left red marks, but this one stayed comfortable all night. The skirt hugged my hips and thighs and then flared out near the bottom.

There was a high slit on the side, and I was genuinely nervous about it before I stepped out. But with those nude platform sandals, the slit landed just above my knee, so I could move without tripping and it actually made my legs look longer. The theatre had red carpet stairs and leather sofas everywhere, and I made my friends take like a hundred shots on those steps to show off the bow at the back. Most of them were blurry or awkward, but there's one with the old brick wall and warm string lights in the background that I actually love.

Makeup was low effort. I did loose waves, half pinned up, with a few pieces left down around my face because my cheeks are round and pulling everything back makes me look like a potato. My black rectangular glasses stayed on. People asked why I didn't take them off for a fancy birthday, but honestly? (Oops – I'll rephrase: I told them I can't see myself without them, and also I think they match the sparkle.)

Eye shadow was warm brown with a little shimmer, lips were peachy nude with some gloss, and I dusted a bit of contour on my cheekbones but kept it light – didn't want to compete with all that glitter.

The real disaster was the shoes. They didn't look that high, but after a couple of hours my feet were screaming. I almost twisted my ankle during the last outdoor shot, and my friend laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone. But honestly (I'll say "to be fair") those little messes make the memory more real. I've worn stiffer competition cheap mermaid formal gowns before – the kind that look dramatic on stage but feel like armor. This one was different. I sat, ate two slices of cake, danced some ridiculous moves, and never felt trapped in it.

Twenty eight isn't a huge milestone, I guess. But the whole day was simple and nice – good dress, good friends, nice lights, decent photos. The dress wasn't cheap, but I'll probably wear it again (or just hang it in my closet and admire it). Either way, worth it.

Next year I'm definitely wearing sequins again, but I'm going for lower heels. Writing this down so I don't forget and make the same mistake.