Sequins in the Sun

Sequins have always had a reputation for being night-time clothes. You wear them to a party, a New Year’s Eve dinner or when you know there will be a dance floor involved. They are shiny, attention-grabbing and, for the longest time, seemed a little too much for the daytime.

But that is changing. This summer, sequins are making their way into outfits that are far more relaxed. Think a light sequin skirt with an oversized cotton shirt, a basic tank top with sneakers or a sparkly piece worn with flat sandals. It sounds like an unlikely combination, but that is exactly what makes it work.

Add Some Sparkle

Instead of heavy, heavily embellished pieces, lighter sequin skirts and tops can be styled with breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen and simple jersey pieces provide a nice contrast to the shine. One part of the outfit catches your eye, while everything else keeps it comfortable and easy.

The footwear matters too. Sneakers are probably the easiest way to make sequins feel casual. They give the outfit a slightly unexpected edge and make it look less like you are dressed for an event. Flat sandals work just as well, particularly for a holiday or a relaxed day out. If you want to take the same outfit into the evening, you can simply switch to heels or a dressier pair of flats. “Summer dressing is becoming much more experimental. People are interested in taking pieces they would traditionally reserve for occasions and finding new ways to wear them. Lightweight sequins work particularly well because they add texture and movement without making the outfit feel too heavy.” adds Fashion consultant, Anne Periera.

Razzle Dazzle Ideas

The idea is simple: take something that feels glamorous and pair it with something completely ordinary. A sequin skirt, for example, can look surprisingly easy when worn with a plain white shirt. Leave the shirt loose, roll up the sleeves and add a pair of sneakers. The sequins still catch the light, but the rest of the outfit keeps them from feeling too dressy. Swap the sneakers for sandals and you have a look that could easily work for a holiday lunch or an afternoon out.

That is probably the biggest reason the trend feels so relevant right now. We are not dressing for fixed occasions in the same way anymore. Clothes that were once kept strictly for parties are being mixed into everyday wardrobes. A satin skirt can be worn with a T-shirt, heels can be paired with jeans and now, even sequins can have a place in a daytime outfit.

Ray of glitter

There is something fun about taking a piece that normally lives in the “special occasions” section of your wardrobe and wearing it on an ordinary day. “I don’t really think of sequins as something you can only wear at night anymore. If the rest of the outfit is simple, a sparkly skirt can actually look quite casual. I’d wear one with an oversized T-shirt and sneakers rather than waiting for a party to wear it,” says Richelle Fernandes, a graduate, Gen-Z.

The trick, however, is not to overdo it. When wearing sequins during the day, keeping the rest of the outfit simple makes a big difference. A basic cotton tee can make a sparkly skirt feel much more casual. An oversized shirt can do the same. Even a pair of classic sneakers can instantly take the look away from partywear.

Accessory Gyaan

Accessories can stay equally uncomplicated. A large tote, sunglasses, a watch or a few delicate pieces of jewellery are enough. There is no need to add statement earrings, a glittery bag and metallic shoes all at once. The sequins are already doing enough.

A Dash Of Colour

Colour can also change the mood of the outfit. Silver and gold naturally have a party feel, but softer shades can make sequins much easier to wear during the day. Pale pinks, champagne, icy blue and muted metallics work particularly well with summer basics. A brighter sequin skirt can also work, as long as it is paired with something neutral on top.

What makes the trend interesting is really the clash between the two sides of the outfit. Sequins are dramatic, while a cotton shirt is not. One catches the light, the other keeps things relaxed. Put together, they create an outfit that feels dressed without looking like you tried too hard.

Shine Happens

There is also a certain charm to seeing sequins in daylight. Under the sun, they look different from how they do under party lights. They catch little flashes of light as you move, which can make an otherwise simple outfit feel more interesting. Instead of screaming “night out”, the sparkle becomes just another detail. “Sequins are no longer restricted to eveningwear. The easiest way to make them work during the day is to balance them with relaxed, everyday pieces. An oversized shirt, a basic tee or even sneakers can instantly tone down the glamour of a sequin skirt and make it feel more effortless.” says Retu Singh, private fashion consultant.

Of course, this does not mean sequins have to completely leave their usual territory. They will always have a place at parties and celebrations. The difference is that they no longer have to stay there.

For anyone hesitant to try the trend, starting small is probably the easiest option. A sequin skirt with a plain T-shirt, a sparkly top with relaxed trousers or even a sequin bag with an otherwise basic outfit can bring in just enough shine.

Because perhaps the best thing about the summer sequin trend is that it does not take itself too seriously. It is about taking something traditionally considered “too much” and wearing it with something completely everyday. And if a little extra sparkle happens to follow you into the afternoon, why not?

Lightweight sequins work well because they add texture and movement without making the outfit feel too heavy.”

— Anne Periera, Fashion consultant