Trend Spotlight: Embellishment
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
The disco ball is turning again y’all.
Sequins, Feathers, Satin. Jewels. They all want to party like it’s 1999.
But before you pull out your eighties frock, these sequins are updated. Like the updated shimmer eyeshadow, this season’s sequins are smaller, neater and make for a great Christmas/ New Year look.
If you choose to wear a full sequined dress for a cocktail look this season:
- Keep it tastefully short and to the point
- Keep the sillouhette simple.
- Pair with opaque black tights and keep accessories simple.
- Keep makeup simple, and focus on one thing – diva eyes or vampy lips.
- Don’t let your dress outshine your skin. Exfoliate and moisturize skin, especially parts that you plan to flash like arms, back and your gorgeous gams.
You can also rock the following to dress up straight cut/ skinny denim that you already own for a chic night look:
- Sequined/ shiny blazer
- Blinged out embellished tops or tees
- Embellished flats or bejeweled heels. This includes, sequins, studs, grommets, feathers, satin…
- Layer on bangles, and yes here silver and gold of any colour ‘match’.
Embellishments are in themselves gaudy so this is no area to be shy and appear to have tact. If you are gonna embellish, do it. BAM!
And of course you can replace your denim with black liquid leggings. *Fyyyyyaaaaaahhhh!*
Embellishments for the office
Do avoid wearing a fully sequined get-up to the office.
Rather, choose to add sequined accessories to turn a chic monotone day office wear into an office party appropriate night one.
I say monotone, as the key is here to not layer (clash) overly pattered coloured clothing with sequins.
- Add sequined belt or scarf
- Switch career power pumps to metallic shoes/ strappy, glitzy, structured heels/ accessorized booties
- Combine sequined top under chic blazer
- Throw on a glitzy blazer over office top
- Switch to a sequined/ feathered pencil skirt
- Add bangles/ bracelets/ necklaces/ earrings.
Drop earring are back y’all! Remember those chandelier earrings circa ’03? Yes siree, but keep the multi-coloured ones in the draw for now, they haven’t made a comeback just yet. Stick to bejeweled stones in the same colour family.
Details, Details, Details.
Don’t get caught up in the excitement. Do focus on the details.
- Keep nails in check.
Embellishments + Chipped Nail polish = 20 year old Grunge.
This is not the grown ‘n sexy look that we are looking for.
Avoid candy coloured nail-polish, that’s so summer vacation.
White, black-ish, red or the season’s various ‘neutrals’ work best – nude, champagne, olive, metal/ silver grey, purple, etc.
- Wear embellished pieces smartly
Remember that embellishments bring attention and, in the case of feathers, add volume to the area
If you are full chested and top heavy consider wearing instead a feathered skirt or keep the look simple by rocking fierce embellished pumps.
If you carry most of your weight on the bottom consider rocking a major embellished long blazer or statement necklace to draw attention to your upper half.
- Shine, don’t blind
There is already a lot of glitz going on with when wearing sequins. Let your the healthy glow of your skin shine through rather than mask it with dated glittery eyeshadow. Opt for more contemporary shimmer or frosty eyeshadow shades instead.
Minimalista Embellishment Glam
Consider wearing one of these statement pieces if are unsure of the embellished trend or of course if you have already lived through the sequined trend in your hot ‘n sassy hay-day.
- Embellished details.
Cardigans with sequined or embellished necklines.
Jackets with embellished piping.
You-can-hate-me-now embellished FMPs
Dresses with embellished details
- Large necklaces
Bib necklaces are all the rage over a simple sheath dresses
- Not-yo-mama-brooch
Brooches need not only be worn on a lapel. Update hats, fedoras, belts, scarves and even headbands with brooches.
- Rings
Fantasy jewelry. Because to say ‘costume’ or ‘fake’ jewelry is so 80s. Big & Juicy pieces. Rock them at will because they are inexpensive.
- Bracelets
Bulky bejeweled cuffs.
- Clutch
Satin, Bejeweled silk, bows, feathers, sequins. *snapz*
- Embellished hair-clips and pins.
Go Glitterati!
Related GC posts:
Trend Spotlight: Animal Print
FMPs
Fashion retirement
Epic fashion failure
Office Party Etiquette