Sparkle

If there is anything that is as ubiquitous as the chain trend this fall, it is the sequin trend.  Every brand and designer, from those that sell their clothes for $20 to those that sell them for $2,000, are embellishing everything with sequins.  It makes sense, since embellishments of all types are an overriding trend this year.  Studs, zippers, chains, buckles, straps and fringe are everywhere this year and it is a natural progression to add sequins to the list.

We admit it.  We're not at all fond of sequins.  It is one of the things that the trendy, edgy SPiCY and the laid-back, free-wheeling HiPPi have in common (that and a love for 4 inch heels).  Even though one has a fondness for Demi Lovato's rocker style and the other would like to play in Vanessa Hudgen's closet full of bohemian staples, they both agree... no sequins.  However, starting with the clutch that inspired our name, the two of us keep running across pieces that are full of sequins but... actually... don't... suck.  On the contrary, this season is full of clothes and accessories that use sequins so expertly that they put our prejudice against sequins to shame.


Antik Batik, Haute Hippie and Gryphon did this trend especially well this season.  Look for less expensive clothes inspired by pieces from these brands.  Take a cue from the pieces in this list to add sequins to your wardrobe in a way that dazzles.

Herve Leger Sequined Degrade Bandage Dress $2,900.00
A Mi Clubwear Sequin V-Neck Minidress $34.99
Young, Fabulous & Broke Hazel Sequin Dress $297.00
Dior Nail Lacquer in Black Sequins $21.00
Stella McCartney Silk Organza Sequined Dress $2,365.00
Prezzo Square Ball Mesh Clutch $39.00
Oscar de la Renta Sequin Top $1388.00
Kardashians by bebe Sequin Hot Shorts $89.00
Report Signature King Pump $127.50
Twenty Cluny Sequined Jacket $908.00
ModCloth Red Carpet Royalty Dress $109.99
Antik Batik Dream Embellished Blazer $575.00
Lane Bryant Bella Cheetah Print Clutch by Elaine Turner $175.00
Tibi One-Shoulder Dress $870.00
Sam Edelman Novato $100.00
Herve Leger Sequin-Embellished Bandage Dress $1,590.00
Victoria's Secret Sequin Skirt $79.50
DKNY Sequin Embellished T-shirt Dress $390.00
Banana Republic Marble Sequin Ballet Flat $79.00
Velvet Sequin Detail Cropped Cardigan $276.00
Avenue Plus-Sized Sequin Sheath Dress $79.90
Red Valentino Tiered Sequin Skirt $300.00
Lulu's Sparkle or Someone Shift Dress $61.00
Marqus Lupfer Sequin Stripe Dress $1157.00
Juicy Couture Sequin Mini Hand Warmers $45.00
DKNY Jeans Plus-Sized Sequin Top $59.00
Tibi Sequined Jersey Mini Dress $295.00
J. Crew Sequined Ribbon Cami $98.00
Ashish Sequined Shift Dress $1,450.00
Lane Bryant Wide Widths Sequin Ballet Flat $26.50
See by Chloe Sequined Tulle Tank Top $250.00
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Across the Universe, Happy Birthday or Boom Boom Pow  $18.00+
J. Crew Pearlized Sequined Tank Dress $650.00

Victoria's Secret Sequin Turtleneck Sweaterdress $128.00
Lulu's Glitter-ally Speaking Black sequin Dress $46.00
Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Sequin Ballet Flats $560.00
Lane Bryant Sequin Tank $29.50
J. Crew Icicle Shift Dress $1.595.00
By Malene Birger Acier Sequin-Embellished Maxi Skirt $580.00
J. Crew Sequin Drizzle Tank $98.00
Alexander Wang Sequined Goddess Dress $780.00
Avenue Plus-Sized Zebra-Print Tank $19.99
Alice + Olivia Marina Sequin Dolman Tunic $396.00
Miu Miu Sequined Ballet Flats $307.20
Lane Bryant Multi-Stripe Sequin Tank $34.50
J. Crew Dulphine Sequin V-Neck Sweater $138.00
Marc by Marc Jacobs Knitted Sequin Cropped Sweater $530.00
Velvet Kenna Ikat Sequin Dress $185.00
Lane Bryant Scored Sequin Bow Clutch by La Regale $44.00
Antik Batik Wallice Sequined Gown $950.00
Porter Grey Sequin Dress with Cutout Back $775.00
Victoria's Secret Sequin Dress $198.00
Donna Karan Stretch Sequined Maxi Skirt $1895.00
Tibi Eclipse Sequined Silk Dress $1238.00
Victoria's Secret Sequined Blazer $159.00
Kate Spade Pop-Art Pearle Clutch $525.00
Jane Norman Grecian Knot Sequin Bandeau £12.50
Haute Hippie Sequined Fringed Chain Dress $595.00
Avenue Cardigan with Sequins $64.99+
Sachin + Babi Sima Sequin Gloves $100.00
Haute Hippie Chevron Sequined Mini Dress $695.00
Coast Felicity Sequin Top $165.00
Marc by Marc Jacobs Dee Dee Sequined Bolero Sweater $498.00
Lane Bryant Sequin Fold-Over Clutch $39.50
Velvet Sequined Detail Jersey Dress $315.00
Victoria's Secret Sequin Leggings $39.99
Haute Hippie One-Shoulder Sequin Dress $595.00
Coast Maggie Knit Top $165.00
Pissaro Nights Sequin One-Shoulder Blouson Dress $198.00

Dressing hint: The more "liquid" the sequins make the piece look the better.

Hang Tight

Like the shorts trend that Hippi is so excited about these days?  Well, to really wear this trend in a way that looks amazing, add a pair of tights.  Tights do double duty as an eye-catching accessory that accents the miles of legs exposed between the hemline and ankle and keeps legs warm as temperatures start dropping.  SPiCY especially has a thing for printed tights and was a season or two ahead of this trend.  Lately, she has been pairing them with tunics.  It is likely that there will be future posts full of the amazing prints popping-up everywhere (everything from ocelot print to floral print).

However, for pairing with the shorts trend, it is best to stick to solids and simple prints to accent the tailored lines of the shorts.  For women with a more classic sense of style, for whom pairing shorts with tights in autumn might already be a daring move, neutral solids and cable knits are the best option.  Here are some great pairs that will work well for women who fall into that category:

Falke Merino Wool Rib Tights $65.00
J. Crew Zee-Zee Tights $12.50
Banana Republic Chevron Tights $16.00
Aristoc Cable Tights $17.44
Assets by Sara Blakely Terrific Texture Chevron Tights $16.00
Lane Bryant Plus-Sized Cable Knit Tights $18.50
The Limited Tiny Rib Tights $24.90
Levante Wool Rib Tights $18.75
Express Rib Texture Tights $16.50
Urban Outfitters Mini Rib Knit Tights $20
Spanx Tight-End Tights Neutral Tones $26
Lane Bryant Plus-Sized Ribbed Tights $18.50
ASOS Modal Rib Tights $16.85
Banana Republic Cable Tights $20
J. Crew Herringbone Tights $22.50
Commando Richly Ribbed Opaque Tights $34
Falke Striggings Cable Tights $24.26
Madewell Black as Night Opaque Tights $24.50
Lane Bryant Plus-Sized Herringbone Tights $18.50
Urban Outfitters Cable Knit Sweater Tights $18
The Limited Basic Rib Tights $19.90
Transparenze Dora Wool Rib Tights $23.25
J. Crew Wool Blend Ribbed Tights $26.50
Banana Republic Erin Dot Tights $16
Avenue Plus-Sized Ribbed Tights 2 for $10


For more trendy and fashionably daring women, geometric prints and bright solids will work with this trend while still being simple enough to compliment the tailored lines of the shorts.  For edginess that doesn't go overboard, be sure to pair eye-catching print tights with solid shorts and vice versa. Here are some great options that will work well for women who fall into this category:

The Limited Sheer Diamond Tight $19.90
HUE Printed Plaid Tights $22
Express Diamond Tights $19.50
Urban Outfitters Zigzag Stripe Tights $14
Madewell Striped Tights $19.50
Spanx Tight-End Tights Bold Colors $26
Avenue Plus-Sized Chevron Tights 2 for $10.00
Sneaky Fox Stripe for Success Tights $34.99
Cynthia Rowley Slit Chevron Tights $20
Falke Cecile Tights $20.22
Anthropologie Stormy Seas Tights $16
We Love Colors Plus-Sized Fishnet Pantyhose $10.50
Express Diamond Texture Tights $16.50
J. Crew Polka Dot Back-Seam Tights $22.50
Wolford Bondage Tights $65
HUE Houndstooth Sweater Tights $18
Spanx Tight-End Tights Bright Colors $26.00
ModCloth Diamanda Tights $17.99
Madewell After-Midnight Tights $19.50
The Limited Small Houndstooth Tights $19.90
Emilio Cavallini Honeycomb Net Tights $14.99
Wolford Fence Tights $62
DKNY Bold Argyle Tights $22
Lane Bryant Plus-Sized Houndstooth Tights $18.50
Express Opaque Tights $14.50
Madewell Swiss Dot Tights $19.50
We Love Colors Plus-Sized Tights $15.00
Zara Open Weave Tights $19.90
Spanx Tight-End Tights Fashion 2010 Colors $26
Lane Bryant Plus-Sized Plaid Reversible Tights $18.50
Avenue Plaid Plus-Sized Geometric Diamond Tights 2 for $10

Also take a look at Glamour's Dos & Donts on wearing tights.