The holidays in November and December really get us in the mood for all the amazing wintertime dressing. It is the most wonderful time of the year!
Of all the great textiles we get to pull out of the closet this time of year, velvet and sequins are the fabrics having a big moment but maybe not in the way you’d assume. When you think ‘velvet’ or ‘sequin’, likely your brain goes immediately to holiday soirees and cocktail parties, but what if we were to tell you that it is entirely acceptable to wear velvet and sequins in the daytime?
We’re going to break down how to style these once “party only” fabrics, and have a few suggestions to get you started flaunting your luxe daywear.
Think of sequins as something light, like champagne bubbles. Consider other fabrics to be heavier, from silks, chiffons and cottons being like paper, with velvet the heaviest, something akin to mud (albeit very sexy mud). Use this metaphorical weight system when pairing other wardrobe pieces with sequins….let them float on top, almost an afterthought. Even when coating the piece of wardrobe, if the construction of the garment is solid, then the sequins will stay safely away from gaudy.
The color of sequins this year has made them versatile. While once only black and silver, they now come in bright colors, soft pastels and earth tones-blues, greens, russets and browns, also lending themselves to day wear. Pair black, gold or silver sequin tones with obvious daytime pieces, like jeans, while other colors allow you to wear to work, as the typical dark tones and layering pieces of suits help conceal the flash of the sequin.
Velvet is a great fabric for daytime, and is easier to incorporate into day wear than sequins. It is feminine, nostalgic, and luxe. It has a vibrant history, originating in Egypt but overtime spread to Europe, where it’s real claim to fame rose during the Renaissance period.
Bringing out the feminine in what can be a very masculine trend was the story this season, which is also why we’re seeing sequins take a front row, as well. When velvet is paired with leathers and full skirts of the western trend, for example, velvet takes on a lighter, playful feel.
The same motivation towards feminizing masculinity, the over-sized blazer is a hit this year, namely in velvet: The Smoking Jacket turned Boss Babe. There’s many pieces that celebrate the nostalgia of the 1980s, which is another theme all over the place right now, from evening wear to athleisure. Mix velvet with lighter-weight fabrics to juxtapose the heavier density of the velvet and to play to your femininity.
Sequin Tops
If you’re on the shy side, stick to using sequins as an accent, like the sheer Alice + Olivia blouse and long-sleeve Donna Karan blouse below. These are excellent suggestions for the professional. The sweater and Gibson top can be paired with jeans or leggings, and throw on a chunky sneaker.
Gibson, xGlam Sequin Top, $60
Donna Karan, Long-sleeved Sequin Blouse, $95
Halogen Sequin Detail Sweater, $119
Brighton Sequin Blouse, $257
Weekend Max Mara Paglie Sequin Stripe Sweater, $325
Alice + Olivia, Sequin Polka-Dot Blouse, $350
Sequin Bottoms
Our favorite sequin bottom is the pencil skirt. Pair them with super soft, over sized sweaters to dress them down to daytime. To keep it modern, tuck two-finger’s worth of the front hem of the sweater into the skirt’s waistband, which will also emphasize the slimming effect of a pencil skirt. The fun Hawaiian print below adds a chic retro flair and would look great with rusts and chocolates in your other wardrobe choices. If the grocery store is your only destination, there is no reason to look like a frump when you could just throw on the sequin joggers, a crisp white blouse and a pair of fashion sneakers.
Gibson x Glam Squad Ashley Sequin Jogger Pants, $72
Halogen Paillette Pencil Skirt, $99
Spanx, Faux-Leather Sequin Leggings, $158
Anthropologie Pleated Sequin Skirt, $170
Le Superb Hawaiian Sequin Pencil Skirt, $213
Antik Batik Rober Sequin Jogger Pant, $360
Sequin Accessories
Accessories are a great way to extend your sparkle to any outfit. From cozy cardigans to flashy blazers, throw on a pair of treggings and the espadrille slides, and you’re good to go!
Tasha Sequin Pom Beanie, $28
Sam Edelman, Sequin Espadrille Slides, $56
Alice + Olivia Ezra Striped Sequin Sneakers, $275
IRO, Kate Sequined Blazer, $830
Velvet Tops
Here, we have some easy pieces like tees and sweatshirts, which are great with leggings and jeans. The button and twist-front top would be great with trousers and a blazer for the office. The sheer shirt would also be great with a skirt suit, or layered over a sleeveless dress to transition those into chillier temps. The black burn-out effect looks great layered over bright colors.
Marc New York Performance, Velvet Raglan Top, $45
Halogen, Twist-front Velvet Top, $59
Wit + Wisdom, Velvet Buttonup, $88
Karen Kane, Velvet Burnout Top, $89
Michael Stars, Velvet Sweatshirt, $128
Paige, Linara Burnout Velvet Top, $229
Velvet Bottoms
Yes! There are also velvet joggers for errands, and velvet leggings for yoga class or afternoons with a book on the couch. The leggings also make a great layer under dresses with high slits, or short skirts as a replacement for tights. Velvet jeans are every celebrities favorite right now, and we agree; they’re the perfect example of adding femininity into a day wear staple. Both the skirt and the pant are calling for a blazer and a boardroom power play. #BossBabe
Marc New York Performance Velvet Joggers, $31
Topshop, Velvet Flare Pants, $40
Chelsea28, Velvet Wide Leg Trousers, $89
AG, Farrah High Waist Velvet Jeans, $198
A.L.C., Harrison Velvet Pant, $345
Velvet Dresses + Jumpsuits
We left out dresses in our sequin selections above; in daywear this is where velvet takes the cake. The velvet dress is tres elegant and we are hard pressed to think of a personal style that wouldn’t be able to embrace the look. The jumpsuit below, which wears like a dress, is crying for some tall boots and statement scarf.
Chelsea28 Velvet Midi Dress, $129
Chelsea28 Velvet Culotte Jumpsuit, $149
L’Agence, Cameron Crinkle Velvet Maxi Dress, $595
Velvet Accessories
From adorable sneakers to office-ready pumps, and booties to snazz up your denim, velvet is everywhere in footwear. The same goes for jackets and blazers. There’s blazers for the professional, perfect against a little black dress, and blazers as outerwear which pair great with a plaid pant, which is one of the hottest items this season. It is both instantly nostalgic, punky and femme.
Bella Vita, Gala II Bow Pump, $63
Sam Edelman Lior Loafer, $72
Kate Spade New York, Holly Velvet Booties, $298
BlankNYC, Relaxed Blazer, $108
Velvet Blazer, $188
Cinq à Sept Mathieu Velvet Cargo Jacket, $595
