STYLE OPINION

It’s time to shine

17 October 2018

This is where effortless dressing becomes extraordinary. Forget the notion that metallics should be reserved purely for evening dress codes – while they certainly have a place after dark, it’s now more acceptable than ever to shimmer throughout the day, too. Granted, this very idea can send some women running for the hills. Sequins demand attention, as do high-shine fabrics – they exude headiness and require confidence from the wearer. But before you assign them to someone else’s wardrobe, consider these three failsafe tips and you’ll soon be setting a shining example.

1. Mix with basics

This is where the essence of high/low dressing comes into play – and it’s really quite simple. Take something truly luxe like a sequin dress and team it with a basic white T-shirt or sleek trainers. The effect is totally unexpected and will throw traditional ideas of daywear off balance, in the best way.

2. Set the tone

A tonal palette will instantly take the edge off anything luminescent. Take the metallic midi skirt – a recurring key piece for several seasons now – and style it with an oversized grey knit or sweatshirt à la Italian fashion editor, Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert (above right). The neutral colour pairing softens the shimmer and strikes the perfect balance of laid-back and luxe.

3. If in doubt, denim

A foolproof way to offset sparkle is by contrasting it with something functional like denim. When teamed with your favourite pair of jeans, suddenly the glitzy camisole or jacket that felt solely appropriate for cocktail hour inherits wear-anywhere appeal. The key to remember is the wash of the denim – stick to lighter shades of blue for daytime, as anything too dark or black will give your look an evening feel.

Photography credit: Jason Lloyd Evans and Getty Images. The women pictured in this article are not affiliated with Next or the products featured.

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