Yes it’s nearly Christmas and what more of an excuse do you need? For me, I don’t need one anything that sparkles or shines and I’m all over it, a bit like a Magpie.

This is where effortless dressing becomes extraordinary. Forget the notion that metallics should be reserved purely for evening dress codes – while they certainly have a place after dark, it’s now more acceptable than ever to shimmer throughout the day, too. Granted, this very idea can send some women running for the hills. Sequins demand attention, as do high-shine fabrics – they exude headiness and require confidence from the wearer. But before you assign them to someone else’s wardrobe, consider these three failsafe tips and you’ll soon be setting a shining example. Sequins really are for everyone, how bold you go is up to you.

  1. Mix with basics

This is where the essence of high/low dressing comes into play – and it’s really quite simple. Take something truly luxe like a sequin dress and team it with a basic white T-shirt or sleek trainers. The effect is totally unexpected and will throw traditional ideas of daywear off balance, in the best way. If you are still a little scared by all the sparkle and want a simpler look wear with your jeans and shirt and add a pair of sequinned heels or a bag.

  1. Set the tone

A tonal palette will instantly take the edge off anything luminescent. Take the metallic midi skirt – a recurring key piece for several seasons now – and style it with an oversized grey knit or sweatshirt it tones the look right down. If your’e brave it could even become a daytime look, that perfect office to party look. Swap out your trainers or pumps and add some sexy heels and a great bag! The neutral colour pairing softens the shimmer and strikes the perfect balance of laid-back and luxe.

 

  1. If in doubt, wear with denim

A foolproof way to offset sparkle is by contrasting it with something functional like denim. When teamed with your favourite pair of jeans, suddenly the glitzy camisole or jacket that felt solely appropriate for cocktail hour inherits wear-anywhere appeal. The key to remember is the wash of the denim – stick to lighter shades of blue for daytime, as anything too dark or black will give your look an evening feel. Then it’s up to you which accessories you add.

If you would like a quick wardrobe refresh book my Seasonal Update Session, in a couple of hours we will have reworked your existing clothes and created some new outfits!