Last night, Susan and I stopped by Suze's awesome shopping event at Housing Works Thrift Shop to do a little retail damage in the name of charity. I zeroed in on a hot pink sequin jacket and immediately asked Miss Cernek, my official nixer of bad purchases, "Is this wrong or right?"
Her answer was typically wise: "It's genius. But it totally depends on what you wear it with." I bought it (hey, you can't beat $30 for a holiday party outfit--and the money goes to a good cause), and when I got it home, I sifted through my closet to suss out what would make this outfit a Do and what would make it a Don't (with beat up jeans: yes! With a silver skirt: not so much). And you, my dears, are the beneficiaries of my lesson in wearing sequins this season.
DON'T: Impersonate a disco ball. It should go without saying, but sequins make a major statement and need to be used carefully. If you're going to bite the bullet and go for a dress covered in bling, from top to bottom, opt for one that a.) Doesn't have an overly trendy silhouette, like this one-shouldered super-mini b.) Sticks with one color (black, gold, and silver are all classically gorgeous) or a small color family that's definitely complimentary c.) Fits you perfectly. People are definitely going to be looking at you when you're covered in sparkles, and you don't want their first though to be, "Couldn't she find a few more inches of fabric?"
DON'T: Get carried away with the glam factor. The easiest way to look like a 9-year-old Texas beauty queen is to wear your hair in a heavily-shellacked 'do, pile on the sparkly eyeshadow, and accessorize with a metallic clutch and shoes. There is nothing subtle about body glitter, girls. Resist the urge to bedazzle with abandon!
DO: Create contrast. A lot of you were totally loving Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit from our January cover, and it's easy to see why. Pairing something uber-glam, like a sequined jacket, with something totally casual, like distressed jeans, is a totally modern way to do sparkle. Ditto this crisp white blouse with a chic sequined skirt--didn't see that one coming, did you?
DO: Remember that less can be more. Sure, you want to shine this holiday season, but don't forget that there are plenty of subtle ways to do it. Your old LBD will look sassy and brand new with the addition of a pair of sequined tights, a sparkling clutch, or the perfect ruby red slippers. Shop for a few great sequined accessories with a small price but a big impact now:
Tell me, dolls...how do you wear your sequins? Do you favor a tough-meets-femme look, like SJP wore on our cover? Or are you all about getting girly with your bling? Have you bought anything sequined to wear this holiday season yet? What will you wear it with? Discuss!
PLUS...get our Dos and Don'ts of wearing glitter makeup, just in time for your holiday soirees!
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