Life has a bit more sparkle with sequins

Nov 26 2009 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

WITH apologies to that ditzy blonde from Big Brother all those years ago – I love sequins, I do.

Given that I fancy myself as a serious fashionista, I shouldn’t really. I should have nothing to do with the shiny plastic discs so beloved of cruise ship singers, magicians and drag queens.

But I just can’t help myself, sequins bring out the magpie in me. All thought to shape and cut goes out of the window when I see them, my brain switches off and my heart goes “Ooh, shiny, shiny – must touch, must have”.

Most of the year, this is entirely inappropriate, you can’t wear sequins in the summer, on the beach or to weddings (actually I have worn sequins to a wedding but I know it was wrong).

However, come Christmas all bets are off as shops fill up with sparkling dresses, jackets, trousers and tops. This year it seems to be worse than ever, sequins are on everything from haute couture to the high street, from disco to daytime.

Like many of 2009’s top trends, Balmain are to blame for this sequin avalanche. After all, who could resist those to-die-for shimmering mini-dresses, a bargain at £10,000 a pop?

Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs have also had their seamstresses’ fingers going this season while Welsh designer Julien Macdonald’s penchant for pailettes (the fashion world’s fancy name for big sequins) is second only to that of fellow countrywoman Shirley Bassey.

On the high street Topshop is awash with sequins. Kate Moss’ collection has this gorgeous dress, below left, Oasis, River Island and even Next have gone sparkle crazy and when Primark produced a sequined Parka (seriously!) it flew out of stores.

Against such an onslaught I am helpless and so far this season I have bought two sparkly jackets and a sequined halter neck. I think there may also be something sparkly under the tree come Christmas Day courtesy of my husband but obviously I wouldn’t know anything about that would I?

My wardrobe is starting to look as if I’ve been on a smash and grab of the Strictly Come Dancing dressing rooms.

I have however resisted the lure of the big sequined knickers worn over tights, so beloved of Liverpudlian girls (and boys if my male friends are anything to go by). They definitely have an upper age limit on them.

Unfortunately I am discovering there are downsides to this sequin overload.

First there’s the shedding. Everywhere I go I leave a Hansel and Gretel-esque trail behind me of sparkling discs.

Then there’s the velcro effect. In Liverpool last Saturday night there were so many women in sequins that I spent half of my evening trying to detach myself from strangers’ backs and chests.

But if having to get handy with the sewing needle and the odd awkward hook-up are the only price to pay for a shimmering festive season then bling it on!