Desperately Seeking Sequins for Spring

As spring fashions pop up in stores so are sequins, but are they a carryover from last holiday season? Not exactly. Sequins for spring are smaller, and somewhat refined, so size matters as does color. Gone are the holiday jewel tones, red, cobalt blue, and heaven forbid, green brights. Silvers are a bit more muted, and warmer. Of course black is doable as long as it is toned down, say as a layer underneath. The updated look is pastel, flesh-tone, and most popular, white. I have seen dark navy sequins as an accent stripe for the nautical trend, but I’m not goin’ there.

For daywear, sequins as a casual top with jeans or as a layer underneath is fresh and fun. I have seen cute sequined short sleeve tunics, tank tops with partial sequin accents, and one that came home with me from a recent trip to New York, a strapless bra top. Before you scream Madonna circa 1980’s, this sagey-grey, bandeau top adorned with micro mini sequins will barely peek out from under a deep knit or tee.

For evening wear, same color rules apply only forget about being subtle, and go for it either in a dress or accessories.

As from last season, you will find sequins at all price points so my advice is if it suits your mood, indulge in a piece or two that fits your budget, and wear it often as you like cuz as trends go, they’re hot, then they’re not.

Stay tuned for more spring trends.... I’m excited about new fresh looks!

Knowing Your Sense of Style

Knowing Your Sense of Style....

While shopping post holiday sales online, I found some bargains I couldn’t resist only to question whether I really loved them once I tried them on at home. (Asking yourself if you really LOVE the look on YOU is the first step to successful shopping.) The coat in question was cute, very cute, and such a great price (have you had this conversation with yourself before?) For me, the next question is, “Would I wear it in SoHo?” The answer, no.

During the first year of being free and really true to myself, I came up with this question to narrow my fashion choices. For you it might be, would I wear it to work, to my children’s school, or out with my most fashionable girlfriends? Do a little soul searching. Write down the many fashion faces you like to represent and make a list of questions that you can always ask yourself when in doubt. It doesn’t have to be just one. You might have one for each, work, play or family gatherings.

That reminds me. Literally two lifetimes ago, I was in the Management Training program for Marshall Field & Co., the one time premier Chicagoland department store. As employees and managers in the fashion business, we had to adhere to certain relatively liberal dress codes and subjective images of professionalism. The mantra became, when in doubt don’t do it. In other words if your inner fashion voice questions a look whether occasion appropriate or age appropriate, don’t do it! (Note to self: if you send a camera phone photo of an item while shopping on your own to your friends asking whether you can pull off a look, DON’T DO IT!)

It’s no bargain if you never wear it or worse, wear it and don’t feel super-fabulous.