Why reserve the most joy-inducing part of your wardrobe for after dark? Suzie Coen offers a foolproof guide to wearing party pieces every day.
Sequins used to have a 9pm watershed, like sex and swearing on telly. You wore them to parties, for nights when you were not just out but out-out, but they were decidedly NSFD (Not Suitable For Day). However, all that has changed. In a fashion period where the rules of “daytime” and “nighttime” dressing are becoming more blurred, sequins for day represent a very modern mix of casual and dressed up.
Long hailed for their ability to light up the night, sequins have a certain “extra” vibe when worn during the day. There’s the element of the unexpected, which makes them the perfect pick-me-up on down days, and then there’s the extra effervescence they exude when sparkling in the winter sun. They’re also one of the best antidotes to falling into the trap of recycling the same seasonal rotation of blacks, greys and camel knits.
The knack with donning your sequins in the day lies in mixing the high with the low – you need to offset the fun and frivolity of sparkles (the high) with something tailored or sombre (the low). Wardrobe staples like soft knits and lived-in denim silhouettes are the ideal complement for something more showy. The juxtaposition keeps the shine from feeling too precious.
Celebrity and editorial stylist Corina Gaffey says it has everything to do with mixing and matching unexpected separates. “Much like the wrong shoe theory, when it comes to sequins for the day, it’s about pairing them with pieces that might seem like the incorrect item, like a much more casual, rugged item, to give it a dressed-down, effortless feel,” she explains. “Another favourite way of incorporating sequins in daytime looks is going tonal, so pairing a silver sequin with a grey knit or gold with camel adds a sophisticated element and tempers the sequins for the day,” adds Corina.
Corina’s current go-to brands for cool sequins include Ilta, Leje, Munthe (“who did the most fantastic sequin jeans for autumn”), Hellessy and 16Arlington. “At the Baum und Pferdgarten show at Copenhagen Fashion Week, pastel sequins were paired with striped rugby shirts and I’m definitely going to be recreating that combo. Also, I think sheer skirts with sequin embellishment paired with oversized knits are gorgeous for cosy winter looks.”
Ruth Ní Loinsigh, owner of Om Diva Boutique, is addicted to anything remotely glittery, and can scan a shop for the shiniest bits in seconds. “I’ve always loved sequins,” she laughs. “They feel exhilarating to wear and they light you up. They can make you feel like a rock star. I’ve been known to wear full-length sequin dresses to work, even if it’s just to do the accounts.” If your bag is more urban sparkle, it’s worth checking out her stable of Irish designers including Orla Langan, who offers edgy denim pieces featuring gold sequin panels, and Megan Walsh, whose cult Claddagh scarf comes embellished with intricate sequin embroidery.
If you’re a little unsure about diving head-first into the world of sequins, there are a few entry-level ways to gain your sparkle. I know some people go for the sequinned blazer, but sequins are best when you go all-in – not, “I might take it off if it feels like too much”. However, if you have that already, layer it now over lingerie – a silky camisole or longline bra or bralette, and style with strappy heels. For a casual look, pair it with curved-shaped jeans or cargo pants and your adidas Spezials. Or think of unexpected combinations like a sequin bomber jacket – try this paired with luxe joggers and a graphic T-shirt.
