A ladies sequin dress is the ultimate glamour dress for
making an impression especially over the Thanksgiving or
Christmas season. This autumn whatever the occasion, festive
party dresses or clubbing cocktail wear offers lots of textured
fabrics. The base fabrics are embellished with either sequins, beads
or studs. Flowers such as roses and lei swathes drape across
shoulders. Brocade fabrics, velvets, soft nappa leather and
softest silk chiffons are mixed with sequins and artfully draped
and swathed and all will catch your attention.
Designers gave us a catwalk look of simple short
sequin shifts. High street retailers have followed with
equally pretty versions. Countless women will sigh 'ahh pretty'
when they see the sequin dress on a clothing rail, but in
reality find the tunic type mini dress simply too short.
This winter designers universally seem to think women want
dresses that expose their knees. Take it from me, some of these
dresses are so short they can be thought of only as a long
top.
How you wear the sequin pieces depends on you. Some
women with shapely thighs will wear the tunic
styles as mini dresses, whilst others will pair them with pants or
opaque tights, and the fashion forward will choose
over knee boots.
Near Right -
Teal Blue
Catwalk Sequin Dress by Twenty8Twelve.
Above Right - French Connection Teal Blue Sequin Spirit Dress
£260.
Lower Right - Monsoon AW09 Neptune Blue Sequin Overlaid Dress - £135.
This low back teal blue sequin dress right is a
catwalk fashion from Twenty8Twelve. The high street
version from French Connection is a boldly embellished cubist
abstract sequin and bead fabric design that coruscates with
reflected light. It would look even more wonderful in night
lighting, and the modest back neckline makes it a more wearable
option for the majority of women.
These are some of the high street versions
featuring the
simple sequin tunic shift dress.
Mostly, these tunic dresses are totally sequin
embellished, but they can also be beaded with bugle and seed
beads, or made from molten liquid look metallic fabrics. Some are
colourful like the bright sequin dresses shown further below.
Others have cap sleeves, are sleeveless or are variations on
strapless and sequin bra dresses.
Many of these sequin dresses rely on the body
con principle for real definition on the body, rather than hanger
appeal. The dresses use power fabrics combined with sequins and
beads to create figure hugging looks.
Other styles skim and float over the body with a
retro sixties shift feel.
All Autumn Winter 2009-10 Collections.
Side Left - Catwalk Fashion - Louise Goldin AW09.
Top Left - Glitter Zebra Dress £32/€48 at Dorothy Perkins
Bottom Left - Marks & Spencers Limited Collection Sequin Dress
AW09, £49.50 - In Store November.
Centre - Model in Black Sequin Dress Fashion Oasis AW09.
Top Right - Wallis AW09 Black Sequin Dress £100/€160.
Bottom Right - House of Fraser AW09 Black and Silver Sequin
Dress £335 Antik Batik - Womenswear.
Far Right - Miss Selfridge AW09Zebra Stripe Sequin Tunic Dress.
For
Autumn 2009, sequin rich body hugging fabrics easily help create
a body con ultra glam look whilst retaining a slight future
shock feel. The halter neck sequin dress exists, but when made
from glittery sequins, the one-shoulder or asymmetric dress is
front runner to create the look every would-be party goddess
desires.
Right - Catwalk - Venexiana Black Halter Sequin Dress.
At some offices and workplaces only the most
mundane of uniforms or business attire is the everyday norm. So
when Christmas is on the horizon, a cute cocktail dress or full
length gown is the only option. As long as you have the figure -
and some underwear solutions -
then it will be no problem to transform yourself like Cinderella
going to the ball.
The little black dress, when worked as a one
shoulder number, can enhance lovely toned arms and suggest more
mystery than the obvious plunging neckline.
Far Left - Monsoon Tsarina Black Sequin Frill Dress.
£75/€127 Eire - Monsoon Christmas 2009 - October - Monsoon
Fusion Collection.
Near Left - Miss Selfridge AW09 Black Sequin One-Shoulder Dress.
Near Right - T. K. Maxx Asymmetric Red Sequin Dress - £19.99
€23.31.
Far Right - Monsoon Saturn Maxi Dress - Gold Sequin Full Length
Evening Dress. £225 / €379 Eire. Monsoon Christmas 2009 - Due
November.
Each asymmetric dress has its own look whether its the
drapery of the gold dress or the super shininess of the sequin
frill dress. Each one-shoulder dress is quite different, and next
season expect to see even more one-shoulder dresses with lei
corsages flowing along the shoulder-line.
Wearing a one shoulder, backless or strapless dress can present
bra problems. You may think you no longer have the pert bust to wear
such a one-shoulder item, but that's because your thinking is out of
tune with modern support bras designed to enhance your curves. In
the past the only alternative was to wear a somewhat unreliable
strapless bra or go braless. Furthermore only small
cup sizes were available. Now you will find websites selling shape support-wear pieces that will transform your silhouette.
The Multi Plunge Wonderbra is an extremely versatile bra. The
straps can be moved to over 100 positions making it ideal for
those strappy tops and little black dresses.
The
image right shows how the black version has been set for a
halter dress and the beige Wonderbra Multi Plunge version is
perfectly supportive for a one shoulder dress. Wearing an
asymmetric dress should never again be a problem with a bra like
this.
I think the versatility of this bra means the Wonderbra Multi
Plunge is an absolute 'must have' lingerie item. Imagine how
confident you will feel knowing it will look fantastic under the
simplest of T-shirts, the most complicated criss-cross tops or those
daring backless dresses. Notice the centre front strip at
cleavage level. The clear centre gore strip makes this bra perfect
for wearing under the most revealing low cut outfits.
Lingerieplease
include 3 sets of straps with this Wonderbra and these interlink
with any of 40 eyelets on the top of the cups for exact positioning.
It's easy to see why this bra along with a strapless Wonderbra which
would be perfect for the strapless dresses below are some of the
best sellers at Lingerieplease. Whilst I have seen other sites
stocking this Wonderbra Lingerieplease is one of the few that
appeared to cover a broader range of sizes from size 32A to size 38D.
Wonderbra Multi Plunge Bra Images Courtesy of
Lingerieplease
For those who love prom looks these strapless
glitter sequin dresses are a more modern take on an old theme.
Note how all these prom bustier necklines are higher than in
previous years, thus offer more modest bosom coverage for a
strapless dress.
These sequin party dresses show several micro trends which are
developing in the winter of 2009/10.
Far left we see draped fabric combined with a sequin contrast.
Centre left the dress features the more copper metallic bronze
tones so popular with designers on the catwalk for autumn.
The
centre right dress features both sequins and studs, and the
fuller skirt leans more toward a tulip shape. The dress above
far right is in true prom style and features a sequin overskirt.
All Autumn Winter 2009-10 Collections.
Above:- Far Left - Monsoon Eclipse Dress in Gold and Black £180.
Due November.
Near Left - Monsoon Cosmic Dress in Gold & Copper £180. Due
Nov.
Far Right - Miss Selfridge Stud Sequin Black Dress.
Near Right - Miss Selfridge Strapless Dusty Black Dress.
You have a choice of leg wear as glitter dress lengths
can vary from tunic to knee length. But, sheer tights are a good
option for glamorous events, and give legs a silky look that
separates day from evening more clearly than patterned hosiery
does.
In this black studded strapless sequin dress
(right) the model wears laced open boots and black opaque
tights. The hosiery and boots toughen up the dress. All she
needs now is a biker jacket or chubby fur coat.
See
more sequin beaded dresses.
If a little black dress is your choice for the
'Office Christmas Party Dress', then these black sequin versions
would suit a range of figures from slim teenager to more mature
woman. The bottom row of dresses also have slightly higher
necklines for the woman who prefers a more demure look. The
little cap sleeves on the last two black glitter dresses bottom
right, eliminate the need for a cover-up or jacket.
All Autumn Winter 2009-10 Collections.
Top Far Left - Debenhams AW09 Red Herring Black Sequin
Detail Net Prom Dress £70/€109.
Top Centre Left - Oasis Black Sequin Dress Fashion.
Top Centre Right - Oasis Black Sequin Dress.
Top Far Right - Marks & Spencers Sequin Dress.
Bottom Far Left - Oasis Black Sequin Dress.
Bottom Centre Left - Wallis Black Sequin Shift Dress - £60/€91 -
Wallis Autumn Winter 09.
Bottom Centre Right - Chiffon Sequin Dress - £60/€91 - Wallis
Autumn Winter 09.
Bottom Right - Hobbs Graduated Cabaret Black Sequinned Short Sleeve Tunic
Dress - £199, Haven Clutch Evening Bag - £99 Hobbs Autumn Winter 2009.
There is something about silver that brings out
the rock chick when teamed with tough black accessories.
Not all metallic fabrics used are sequin or bead encrusted, some
garments use foil printed materials, others use Lurex knits.
The silver glittery dress, lower right and from
Oasis, would be perfect for anyone going to a twenties theme
party.
All Autumn Winter 2009-10 Collections.
Far Left - Miss Selfridge Liquid Silver Foil Body Con
Dress.
Top Near Left - Miss Selfridge Liquid Silver Skirt.
Top Centre Right - Miss Selfridge Black/Silver Sequin Face Top.
Top Far Right - Miss Selfridge Liquid Silver Kimono Sleeve Easy
Top.
Bottom Centre Left - Harvey Nichols Silver Leggings.
Bottom Centre - Silver Sequin
Skirt, £45 In store November at Marks & Spencer Autumn Winter 2009
-
Limited Collection.
Bottom Far Right - Oasis Silver Sequin/Bead Dress.
If you like brighter colours then the silver
skirt, above from Marks & Spencer, also comes in this wonderful
shade of purple. Right - Purple
Sequin Skirt, £45, In store November, Marks & Spencer Autumn
Winter 2009 Limited Collection.
What's especially good about pieces such as these liquid silver separates
is they offer more choice for those who have either a larger, or
a smaller,
top torso compared with their bottom half.
This black and multi coloured sequin kimono top
also allows a bit more figure flexibility for anyone with a few
lumps and bumps. It is also very pretty and from Miss Selfridge!
Right - Black Fashion Top & Coloured Sequin Detail, 3/4 Length
Sleeves £55 - Miss Selfridge Autumn/Winter 2009.
Left - Actress Lindsay Lohan wearing a blue sequin dress.
A sequined dress glitters, but coloured sequins
add a vibrant living shimmer to sequin party frocks. These
simple shift silhouette dresses feature four similar, but
different necklines. They are from left to right, scoop, boat, jewel and bateau
necklines. Whether you seek a gold, silver, purple, red or hot
pink sequin dress, this is the season you should find the very
colour you have in your mind.
All Autumn Winter 2009-10 Collections.
Above:- Far Left - Internacionale Purple All-Over Sequin Pailette Dress
- £29.99.
Near Left - Matthew Williamson at Debenhams - Multi Colour Sequin Dress.
Far Right - French Connection Ladieswear AW2009 - Magenta Pink
'Raindrop' Sequin Sleeveless Dress £150.
Near Right - Butterfly - Matthew
Williamson Collection Debenhams - Multi Colour Sequin Tunic Dress.
This lovely flower sequin dress is from Monsoon
and combines Chinese style embroidery of rose floral forms and
foliage. The flowers and rosebuds are decorated with bugle beads
and sequins.
This three quarter sleeve black and pink tunic
is perfect for a woman who want a special dress, but an outfit which is
not as glittery dress as the average sequin party dress.
Left - Detail of the Rose Embroidery and
Sequin/Bead decoration. Monsoon Paula Rosa Sequin Embellished
Tunic £95 - Autumn Winter 2009-10 Monsoon Collections.
A silk chiffon sequin dress like this can double
as tunic or stand alone as a party frock.
Some fashion sequin dresses have super sized Pailettes
that glitter against contrasting fabrics especially against
velvet or leather.
Left - This Dolce&Gabbana evening suit has been
Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED and the gems glitter and sparkle
like huge galactic jewels.
Look too for sequin Pailettes encrusted
jackets perfect for adding glamour at the office party. Use
either a jacket, a clutch bag, shoe or boot smothered in sequins
to make your glitterati point.
If you find a floral sequin dress too overpowering, then perhaps a small accessory such
as a shimmering sequin, metallic or molten liquid look bag would
be the fast and easiest way to add colour and texture to your
festive party wardrobe.
Check out the countless sequin-embellished
clutch bags in the high street and easily available online.
Right - Accessorize Multi Technicolour Sequin/Bead Clutch Evening Bag
- £35/€59 Eire, Accessorize Christmas 2009.
You may decide that the expense of buying a
new dress just for an office do means a Christmas party dress does
not fit in with your budget. Time to re-evaluate your existing
wardrobe. So what if you have worn your dress before? You probably bought it because you liked it and it will
be so easy to just brighten it up with a beaded or sequin clutch
bag or a Pailette or sequin jacket. These sequin jackets below are the
sort of simple cover up women like.
Left - Penneys (Ireland) Autumn 2009 Ladieswear.
Beaded Cropped Jacket €29.00. Due in store mid October from the
Penneys Autumn 2009 Collection.
Centre - Wallis Sequin Jacket - No Details.
Right - Wallis Silver Pailette Cardigan Wallis Autumn Winter 09
- Black/ Silver Sequin Cardigan, £60/€91.
There are sequin boyfriend blazer jackets too,
and they come in many colours, but especially in midnight blue,
black, silver and gold. The blush pink jacket is a delightful
coloured alternative to the typical darker tones.
Left - Antik Batik at House of Fraser - Antique Gold Sequin
Jacket £325 Antik Batik, Black skinny belt £15/€18 Linea, Black
skinny jeans £169/€203 7 For All Mankind.
Centre - Dorothy Perkins Blush Pink Sequin Boyfriend Blazer -
£70/€110.
Right - Navy Blue Sequined Dinner Jacket - £150, Miss Selfridge
Autumn/Winter 2009.
Defined sharp shoulders make an otherwise simple
sequin dress an item that can be dressed up or down worn with or
without leg wear.
Select from fierce ankle boots, thigh boots,
lace patterned tights or slim skinny pants. You can even
choose sequin ankle boots, glittery or sequin shoes like these
fun boots right. Right - Sequin Ankle Boot £50 -
ASOS Womenswear AW09 Accessories.
With all the lovely sequin dresses, bags and boots
about this forthcoming winter season you can go from Cinderella to
Sequinella in the pull of a
zipper!
Fads for decorating with sequins come and go. Over the years
sequins have been made of many materials. The oldest sequin use
is thought to be those found at King Tutankhamen's burial site.
Craftsmen produced the sequins by rolling gold super thin,
cutting out discs, glazing them to prevent scratches and then
attaching them to the boy king's clothes. Shisha mirror work
has a long history in India and among nomadic tribes.
Gold coins have also been used as a form of sequins and the
travelling Romany gypsies decorated their clothes with coinage.
Others suggest that iridescent fish scales have also been used.
Certainly fine layers of mother of pearl have been used to make
sequins. A more robust version is that worn by Pearly Kings and
Queens who have decorated their clothes with natural
mother-of-pearl shell buttons. The buttons discs reflect light
in a similar manner - all sequins discs are intended to behave
as spangles to catch the light and reflect it back.
Sequins were certainly being used in embroideries of the C16th.
Usually silver metal, discs were made from flattening a ring of
silver wire. The flat silver disc was sewn on with a bead to
hold it in place. They were embroidered on to three dimensional
C16th English pieces found on stomachers, mules,
bonnets and shoes.
When gelatine was discovered and used to create sequins, the
sequins produced from the material were unstable and could never
be laundered or put near heat. They also gave off an odour.
I'll leave that bit to your imagination!
Copyright of images courtesy of Prshots, IFTF,
Swarovski, Aquascutum, Dorothy Perkins, Miss
Selfridge, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Hobbs,
Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser,
John Lewis, ASOS, Penneys, French Connection, Wallis,
Accessorize, Monsoon, Oasis, Lingerieplease.
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For
Autumn 2009, sequin rich body hugging fabrics easily help create
a body con ultra glam look whilst retaining a slight future
shock feel. The halter neck sequin dress exists, but when made
from glittery sequins, the one-shoulder or asymmetric dress is
front runner to create the look every would-be party goddess
desires. 
The
image right shows how the black version has been set for a
halter dress and the beige Wonderbra Multi Plunge version is
perfectly supportive for a one shoulder dress. Wearing an
asymmetric dress should never again be a problem with a bra like
this.
The
centre right dress features both sequins and studs, and the
fuller skirt leans more toward a tulip shape. The dress above
far right is in true prom style and features a sequin overskirt.
