EVELYSS / Guides / Fashion Sense

How to Wear Sequins Without Looking Tacky (Day, Night and Casually)

“Sequins don't look cheap. Sequins worn the way a costume is worn look cheap. The fix is contrast: put them next to something plain and practical, like an oversized sweater, and suddenly they look like a choice instead of a theme.”Her take

One sequin piece at a time

The single most useful rule is to wear one sequin piece per outfit. A sequin skirt with a plain knit, or a sequin top with tailored trousers, looks considered. Sequins on top and bottom, plus sparkly shoes and a sparkly bag, looks like a costume.

This also makes one piece work much harder. A sequin midi skirt can go to a dinner, a holiday party and a weekend lunch with three different tops.

Choose the right sequins

Not all sequins look the same. Small, flat sequins sewn close together read as a smooth shimmer. Large, loose paillettes and multicolor patterns read as louder. Tonal sequins, where the sequins match the base fabric, look more expensive than contrasting ones.

For a grown-up look, start with dark or neutral colors: black, navy, gunmetal, champagne, bronze or deep green. Check the inside of the garment too. A soft lining makes it comfortable and helps it hang well, while scratchy, exposed threads tend to look and feel cheap.

Pair sequins with matte, everyday fabrics

Contrast of texture is what makes sequins look relaxed. Put them next to fabrics that have no shine at all: chunky knits, cashmere-style sweaters, cotton shirts, denim, wool and sweatshirt jersey. The plainer the partner, the more sophisticated the sequins look.

• Sequin midi skirt, oversized cream knit, ankle boots.
• Sequin top, dark straight jeans, a tailored blazer, loafers.
• Sequin trousers, a plain white shirt or fine black turtleneck, pointed flats.
• Sequin skirt, gray sweatshirt, white sneakers for a daytime weekend look.
• Sequin cardigan or jacket over a white T-shirt and wide-leg trousers.

Day vs night

During the day, lean casual. Sneakers, flat boots and loafers ground sequins immediately, and knitwear or a sweatshirt keeps the look relaxed. Daylight shows every sequin, so smaller, tonal ones work best before dark.

At night, you can dress the same piece up: swap the sneakers for heels or heeled boots, the sweater for a silk camisole or a sharp blazer, and add earrings. Even at night, keep the rest of the outfit simple. The sequins are already the statement.

Keep everything else quiet

Jewelry, makeup and hair should support sequins, not compete with them. Choose one jewelry focal point, usually earrings, and skip glitter makeup and very shiny accessories. A defined lip or a clean, groomed brow is enough.

Fit matters more than usual. Sequins catch the light on every pull and wrinkle, so a piece that's slightly too tight will show it. If you can, size up rather than down for tops and skirts, and have hems adjusted by a tailor who's comfortable with embellished fabric.

Sequins in winter

Sequins pair naturally with winter fabrics, which makes the season the easiest time to wear them. A sequin skirt with opaque black tights, knee boots and a long wool coat works for office parties and dinners alike. Under a heavy coat, a sequin top gives you a sparkle that only shows once you arrive.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

One sequin piece, matte everyday partners, tonal colors, quiet accessories and a good fit: that's the difference between a costume and a choice.

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