Are you waiting for holiday party invites to break out your shine for the season? Well don't. It’s time to pull out your sequins, grab your sparkle, and wear it right now - and then pull it out again in December for those fancy soireés. My friends at Banana Republic let me play with some of their holiday sparkle and shine, to show you how you can wear it now for everyday, and how you can wear it later for the holidays. So check out my recommendations, and shine on!
SHINE NOW - SEQUIN TANK
A sequined tank can be your shiny staple all year-round. Wear it in the summer with floaty pants and metallic sandals, and wear it now as one of your fall-ready layers. It easily takes the place of your everyday gray tank – as a layer under a simple cardigan, a military jacket, and your favorite dark-wash jeans. Add a scarf for some print, and blue flats for some color – you’re ready to run errands, meet the girls for lunch, or get some of that holiday shopping done.
SHINE LATER - SEQUIN TANK
The same tank can be the centerpiece of a festive grey-on-grey look when entertaining at home. Start with the sequins, add a pair of ever-so-comfy drapey charcoal pants, and finish it off with a streamlined cardigan (a dramatic collar helps). A simple gold cuff warms up the grey-on-grey (yes, you can wear gold jewelry with silver sequins), and black suede wedges ensure you can attend to all entertaining duties. Now you’re ready to be the sparkling hostess you were meant to be.
If you’re going out, or you want to make this look a little sexier - trade out the wedges for a pair of heels and ditch the cardigan in favor of this amazing fur vest - it's a perfect way to welcome the season in warm weather.
SHINE NOW - METALLIC SKIRT
A gunmetal metallic skirt is another piece that you can wear year-round, and this one should be in constant rotation anytime you're feeling festive. Shine now by wearing it just like the gray skirt it is – with a cozy sweater and your go-to fall coat.
If it's a little warmer where you are and a coat is too heavy, here's a fun way to feel fall. Take a wide belt, drape your scarf over your shoulders and tighten the belt over the scarf. It gives you a great hit of pattern and texture, without the bulk of a heavy winter coat. (I used a men's scarf, but an long women's scarf will work just as well)
SHINE LATER - METALLIC SKIRT
When it's party-time, this gunmetal skirt can be the basis of a perfectly ladylike look. Add a matching charcoal cardigan (and a barely-there cami if you need it) and let the jewelry be the star of the show. Mix your gold bracelets with leather to add texture and edge. Then pop some color at your feet with cranberry heels and welcome the season in style.
If you're looking to make this look a little sexier, trade the cardigan for a strappy silk tank and let the party begin.
And remember - you can shine anytime of year, but there's no better time than the holidays!!!
