How to Wear Sequins, Part 2 - The Midi

Eep - festive and theatrical obligations have forced me to take nearly a month off blogging duties (well, someone has to test out London's outdoor ice rinks, gales and floods or no... then drink vats of medicinal mulled wine) and the outfit photos are piling up, so it's time to get back on the horse... First things first, before the chimes herald in 2014, I felt it my duty to share this year's take on sequins...

I'd had my eye on this £12 Primark midi for some time, and, having initially written it off as a shameless seasonal extravagance, finally made up my mind to invest the week before Christmas - sparkles and my current favourite skirt shape? Only Scrooge could resist... It's a rung up from last year's Princess Sparkle T-shirt ensemble on the ladder towards sartorial adulthood anyway, right (see here)? Although I may have, ahem, slipped a new My Little Pony number into the basket at the same time...

Glam Rocks

Skirt (Current): Primark, T-Shirt (Current) and Jacket: Both New Look, Boots: Boohoo

On its first outing, for birthday pizza, prosecco and snowball doughballs with mum, I decided to give my midi a hi-lo '70s rock twist (yes, Pizza Express rawks when we're in the house), to tone down the "I belong on top of the Christmas tree" vibe...

Christmas Cracker

Skirt: As Above, Shirt: Primark (Past Season), Shoes: Office (Past Season)

...But if you can't do double (OK, triple) sequins on Christmas Day, when can you? For pulling the crackers over the roasted Quorn fillets, I decided, in a fit of festive inspiration, to dig out last year's sequin-collared shirt along with 2005's sadly neglected velvet-trimmed, sparkle-encrusted courts, for a zhuzhed-up take on ladylike luxe. And no, none of my relations were in the least bit surprised by the sight of my barely concealed bra at the dinner table... an occupational hazard for bloggers' friends and family, I suppose, alongside temporary sequin-induced blindness.

Keeping it Casual

Skirt: As Above, Sweatshirt (Current): Primark, Trainers: Skechers

Making sequins pre-cocktail-hour-appropriate remains a challenge I am unable to resist... This outfit would surely inject a little more fun into sales shopping... or a little more comfort into travelling to a NYE party!

Have you invested in any sequinned buys this season? How are you wearing them?

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Missguided Mesh Panel Playsuit

A few days ago, I was delighted to be contacted by the lovely Becca of Fashion Train, telling me that I had won her Missguided playsuit giveaway! It arrived today, and, well, let's just say I didn't waste any time getting to grips with it!

I'd been intrigued by the geo-mesh-panel thing since Nicole Scherzinger stepped out on stage in that Missguided jumpsuit (still available here), but this short white version jumped out at me even more... I loved the way the cute high-waisted A-line shorts section balanced out the graphic lines and daring cut-out panels of the top half, giving it a softer, easier-to-wear quality.

Cut-outs and sheer panelling can easily equal "trashy", especially when they're located around the chest area, and especially if said chest is larger than a D cup, so I'm not sure I would have tried this style out if I hadn't won the giveaway. However, the sizing and positioning of these panels, at least, rendered such concerns superfluous, securing a position on the right side of the Urban Edge vs. Dancing on Ice spectrum. Although it would be pretty much impossible to wear anything but stick-on-cups, should you be so inclined, under this, there's no danger of a "wardrobe malfunction" should you choose to go au naturel, either.

Perfect timing for summer's promised encore this weekend, accessorised with my trusty knee-high glads, but definite potential as an AW wonder accompanied by opaques (not pictured - I refuse to relinquish my legs to nylon just yet) and Litas too!

A word of advice re: sizing, if you are contemplating investing in one of these playsuits or jumpsuits - all the other playsuits and jumpsuits in my (somewhat Herculean) collection are a size 8, but this is a perfect fit in a 10 - so probably worth sizing up if you are over 5'7 and/or a D cup!

Playsuit: Missguided, Gladiator Sandals: eBay (see this post), Boots: both pairs c/o Boohoo

Have you given the Scherzy look a whirl?

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How to Wear Neon - the 2013 Update!

Last year, I took my first tentative steps into the world of fluorescence, publishing my original How to Wear Neon post (complete with "experimental" poses!). This summer, thanks to some actual sunshine, brights have tightened their grip on my wardrobe even further, with zingy new finds jostling against old favourites for precedence... Neon may even be giving monochrome a run for its money!

The Tops

Oranges and Lemons

Top and Necklace: Both Primark, Earrings: New Look, Skirt: River Island (Past Season), Shoes: Peacocks (Past Season)

Brights on brights... on brights! Summer is the perfect time to go wild with colour, but a common tonal theme running through the accessories pulls this look together for an off-beat ladylike feel (and trust me, if you buy one thing this summer, a multi-tonal neon necklace will be your hardest working piece for pulling together, polishing, or just adding a zest injection to more subdued ensembles).

Denim Dabble

Top, Skirt and Necklace: As Above, Beanie c/o New Look, Boots: Primark (Past Season), Shirt: Tammy (Past Season)

Swapping belt for beanie, wedges for ankle boots and bare shoulders for denim to toughen up the look with a '90s grunge twist.

Pastel Power

Top and Trainers: Both Primark, Pinafore: Tokyo Doll at New Look, Clutch: DIY (See This Post)

No need to stick to all-bright combos... try adding some lime zest to sweet-as-candy pastels...

Caught Up

Whole Outfit: Primark

A single neon piece also makes a stunning accent to an otherwise all-black (or white/grey) ensemble, and the perfect base for a statement sheer look. This is one of my favourite summer outfits so far this year, giving the classic maxi a sports luxe-meets-nu rave spin...

The Dresses

Natty Neutrals

Dress: Tammy, Blazer and Shoes: Both Primark, Belt: River Island (from skirt, past season)

Why stop at one neutral? If you can't decide whether to go mono or fluoro, do both! And no need to stick to accessories if you're feeling brave - try teaming a neon top with a printed pinafore or shorts/skirt/trousers...

Glo With It

Dress: As Above, Top: Primark, Trainers: River Island

Yup, the old "turning a dress into a skirt" trick - made even more exciting by neon's "glo-thru" effect... 

P.S. You may have already seen the layer-tastic 1-for-2 dress trick featured in the introductory montage in my How to Wear a Sheer Lace Dress post, but I was so proud of it I decided it bore repeating!

And don't forget, a neon bra is also your secret weapon for turning a plain white tee into a nu-rave statement (as in this post).

Instructions for a Heatwave

Dress: Boohoo, Necklace: Primark, Shoes: Peacocks (Past Season)

Dress: Missguided (Past Season), Shoes: Freemans (Past Season), Necklace: Primark

When it's too hot for structured waist-cinching frocks, coloured maxis remain the quintessence of summer... the perfect no-thought-required ready-made outfit (accompanied by sandals and trusty neon necklace, obvs).

Are you embracing brights?

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