Sequins and Denim: Holiday Mom-ula Deux (EBEW)

If you haven't noticed, sequins are everywhere.  And worn with everything.  I can certainly jump on this bandwagon.

My Look:  Sequin Tank by laundry by shelli segal via Nordstrom.  Tank via Target.  Sweater by guinevere via anthropologie.  Jeans by seven via TJMaxx.  Scarf via TJMaxx.  Shoes by Seychelles via GILT.  Bracelets by JCrew.  Watch by JCrew.

I've actually owned this sequin tank for a few years - I bought it to wear to my sister's winter wedding with my black velvet blazer.  And then it languished in my closet.  This year, however, I'm wearing it all the time.  I think one of the hardest parts of making sequins wearable is making sure that I don't feel like a costumed version of myself - in other words, not like I'm wearing one of my ballet costumes from long ago.  With super-refined accessories, I just end up feeling kind of silly and overdressed.  Instead, I've been leaning towards pairing my sequins with cozy, casual, dressed-down basics like denim and chunky knits.  Basically, I just pretend the sequins don't exist, and it's just a regular ol' tank - equalling effortless glamour.

I plotted this outfit for the holiday season months ago, when I came across this pin.  I loved the effortless mix of sparkly and slouchy, and the addition of the mustard cardigan solved one of my major quandaries in how I wear this tank top.  It's not silver, actually, but grey with clear sequins, but I think it always perplexed me because I'm more comfortable with gold than silver.  But the mustard cardigan threw everything together into a muddle of metallic neutrals.  Love.  My grey denim skinny jeans with a distressed wash were an excellent antidote to the sparkle, while the addition of my champagne rhinestone bracelets and a big leopard scarf added a bit of glamour.  I kept my bun messy but my lips bright, and I added a simple black camisole beneath the tank since I wasn't going for major cleavage appeal.  And not going to lie...I totally wore this to two different holiday get-togethers last week!

So you want to join in the sparkly fun?  Here's how to combine sparkles and denim, with a few outfit ideas to help you out.  All of these ideas show how sequins can be part of your casual holiday wardrobe, not just something for fancy parties.

Holiday Momula:  Sequins and Denim

• Sequin top. Choose something in a very basic silhouette, preferably in a traditional metallic instead of a color.  Nothing too fitted, as the sequins look better in a draped shape.  The sequins should be tight and flat and cover the entire garment.    
• Denim.  Distressed jeans, dark flares, a chambray shirt.  It's the contrast of tough and shimmery fabrics that matters the most.
• Knit.  Something chunky or slubby for contrast with the sequins, whether in wool or cotton.  Scarf, sweater, tights, etc.
• Simple hair.  Make it effortless.  A casual blow-out or messy undo is the best option here.
• Neutral shoes.  
• Bright lips.  Trust me.  They'll add some polish.

Look 1:  Cozy Glitter

Sequins and Denim: Cozy Glitter by bibliomomia featuring skinny fit jeans

A version of my outfit (which was a version of this look from Pinterest).  I love the combo of silver sequins and mustard knit, especially with the distressed denim.  Basic black ballet flats seemed like the best option for shoes, and I added some champagne rhinestones for a bit of extra sparkle.  And leopard of course!  With a sock bun and bright red lips, it's an elegant but totally comfy combo.  I wore this to a holiday housewarming and a pre-Christmas meet-up with some friends, and it was a great mix of festivity and coziness.

Look 2:  Sporty Sparkle

Sequins and Denim: Sporty Sparkle by bibliomomia featuring flare jeans

Maybe you think you aren't a sequin kind of girl...like, at all.  Maybe you're happier in jeans and a puffer in the winter.  This outfit is proof that sequins work with the sporty vibe too.  This retro alpine chic vibe has a solid foundation in those dark flares and classic black puffy vest.  However, the whole feeling of the outfit changes with a sequin tee - one of my favorite things about wearing sequins under something else is that only a bit of the sparkle ends up showing, like the arms of this tee.  Throw your hair in a high ponytail, then add a bright berry lip stain.  Toss on a chunky knit cowl and some fleecy printed TOMS, and you're ready for outdoor holiday fun like a tree lighting or lights walk.

Look 3:  Rugged Flash

Sequins and Denim: Rugged Flash by bibliomomia featuring a stud ring

I love making sequins kind of tough!  Here, the combo of sequin tee and denim cutoffs is a perfect mash-up of casual and elegant.  The pointelle sweater tights are another great contrasting texture and keep your legs nice and toasty, too.  Keep the hair simple, but add a great superdark lip stain.  I would add classic Frye harness boots and a sparkly studded ring, then head out to a holiday happy hour.

But here's the best part of all of these holiday looks - they're totally festive, but they're not "Christmassy" at all!  No holiday sweaters or green and red.  The little bit of sparkle goes a long way, which means every single version is elegant and fun but wearable, too.  And unlike a Christmas sweater, you'll get to wear the sequins all year long!

If you want to check out my holiday mom-ula for velvet from last week, too, just click over here...