Sparkle for Beginners

I’ve heard  a lot of people say, “Oh… I could never wear sequins… They just aren’t me..”  Nonsense, I say.  Anyone can wear sparkle.  Just put a little sparkle and I promise… you will feel happier!  You don’t have to go crazy.  As much as I love a great pair of sequin pants… or a full on sequin shift, I also understand that these things aren’t for everyone.  With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, I thought I would put together a round-up of some of my favorite “beginner sparkle” pieces… along with a few tips & tricks for wearing them.

This Express Open-Stitch Scarf has become a favorite of mine.  (It’s also on sale.) The sequins are barely noticeable, but provide just enough sparkle.  It’s also incredibly cozy.  I’ve been wearing it with everything from jeans and a tee to dresses and skirts.

These MIA Loafers (which I already wrote about here and here) are a favorite of mine.  They are sparkly but not aggressively so, meaning that you can easily pair ’em with boyfriend jeans or an all black ensemble for a casual chic look.

Wear it in your hair.  This glittery J.Crew hair clip is meant for girls, but no one will ever know.  Other chic options include this chic tieback or hair pin from Ban.do.

Or go for a belt.  I love this glittery one from J.Crew.  This one from Alexander McQueen is also sort of ridiculous – in the best possible sense of the word.

Going back to black on black, this tee is a great way to casually wear sequins.  The matte black sequins on the cap sleeves are elegant and edgy all at once.  Hate it?  Put on a cardigan and the sequins are covered.

A glittery or metallic pochette, like this one from TopShop, or this Anya Hindmarch beauty is another great beginner tactic.  And if you feel awkward, you can always put it down.

Tips & Tricks:  Go for matte sequins – they’re a bit more sophisticated and not quite as flashy.  Or, try black on black sparkle. For your first foray into sequins and/or glitter, stick to accessories… or your nails.  (I love a glittery accent nail… done with Deborah Lippman’s sparkly shades, or Martha Stewart’s glitter glue pens, it’s just enough sparkle.)

Extra Credit: Try a sequin skirt.  Pair it with a simple tee, a cardigan or blazer, black tights, and ankle boots.  You’ll be surprised how classic and put together you’ll feel.

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