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.
Look on the bright side of winter: after-dark dressing now starts at lunchtime.
A sequin top is perhaps the easiest, most non-committal option sparklephobes can choose when it comes to clothing. You can layer over it with knits, a hoodie or even a classic button-down shirt, while bottom halves can tell another story with more relaxed pieces. I love seeing a sequin top teamed with a pair of adidas tracksuit bottoms and a polished kitten heel. The sporty silhouette, complete with a slouchy leg and elasticated waistband, dials down the attention-seeking nature of this aesthetic and delivers fashion-forward appeal. Or, take it corporate and allow your sequin top to be the point of interest set against a strong-lined tailored suit.
A sequin dress might read Strictly, but a few styling tricks and you’re Kate Moss at Glastonbury. Consider how you might want to layer it up. Leave anything smarter than a blazer behind this winter and instead choose alternatives like a distressed leather jacket, a chunky knit cardigan or even an oversized bomber jacket. They’re practically perfect for taking sequins out for a spin in the daytime.
For me, a sequin skirt is the chicest way to take on sparkle in your outfit. Maybe it’s because it sits the farthest away from your face (or as it’s a favourite of Miuccia Prada), but a sequin skirt can be worn for all sorts of moments. Teamed with a cashmere jumper or a crisp white shirt, it becomes a veritable office option (should your workplace allow). But the same skirt, later paired with a simple vest top and a statement necklace, becomes a great late-night party option. It feels unexpected yet unfussy, which is exactly the balance you want to strike with daytime sequins.
When it comes to wearing sequin skirts, or any kind of sequins in fact, I find that shoes matter, especially if you’re not opting to wear one for a typical sparkle-required occasion. I love to contrast mine against a kitten heel worn with wool socks almost pooling at the ankle for a further play with a difference of textures. It’s that play with contrast that brings sequins into a stylish street-style-approved territory. Or pair with a sturdy loafer or trainers and you’ve got a covetable daytime look that nods to the trend in a cool and sophisticated way. And if you end up unexpectedly revelling into the evening, you’ll be ready.
One further piece of advice with sequins is to consider sizing up. An embellished skirt, dress or top worn slightly oversized is not only nicer to look at when it swishes slouchily, but will also prove more comfortable for day-long festivities. What’s great about this new mood in sparkle dressing is that your perfect daytime sequins are probably hiding in the party-clothes bit of your wardrobe. Clothes for going out-out don’t tend to get worn as often as you’d like, what with cocktail funds not earning themselves and having to get up in the morning. So if a sequin skirt can pair up with a chunky knit and ankle boots for a weekend lunch, or a sequinned vest can slip under a ribbed cardigan to jazz up the jeans you are wearing to go shopping – that’s a win-win. Look on the bright side of winter: after-dark dressing now starts at lunchtime. Add a cosy knit and chunky shoes, and let the good times roll, early.
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of IMAGE.
IMAGE Winter 2024
The Winter issue of IMAGE is here, and from luxe layering to stylish staycations and easy entertaining, you’ll find everything you need for the months ahead. Plus: * Daytime sequins * Merlot moodboard * In studio with Irish designer Jennifer Slattery * Irish storytelling * Winter joys * Curating your tribe * Futuristic beauty * Modern motherhood * Festive feasting * Maximalist stays * and so much more…
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