I simply love sequins and often talk about how to incorporate wearing them in your daily Wardrobes. Sequins are not just for Christmas either, these little discs of shimmer are all-year-round contributors. They are the height of current trends and have been for many decades, and some may even say Centuries.
From the solid gold of Ancient Egypt to the metal coins that inspired the word "sequin" in the 13th century, sequins have gone through many phases to become the shiny plastic disks we know today.
In 1922, when archaeologists entered King Tutankhamen’s tomb, it was filled with many signs of his wealth, including a solid gold coffin. Inside the coffin, the young mummified king’s body was found draped in lavish garments with what smithsonian.com described as “gold sequin like disks” sewn onto them.
During WW2, when sequin supplies had dried up from Europe, a USA business man, Herbert Lieberman of the Algy Trimmings Co. who’s customers included Elizabeth Taylor, said that his father had to learn how to make sequins himself. Working with Eastman Kodak (the camera company), Algy was able to get his sequin material custom made out of clear plastic. They plated it on one side with real silver then coated the silver with coloured ink. The light would penetrate through the colour, hit the silver, and reflect back. The new sequins ran the risk of cracking like glass because of the acetate, but they were more versatile and less fragile than this next alternative. It was said in the 1930s, sequins were made of gelatine from animal carcasses because it could be rolled into sheets and punched into shapes. The problem was that gelatine melts when too much heat is applied, and it also dissolves in water. Wearing sequin dresses in the rain was a disaster, and they obviously couldn't be cleaned using washing machines, so the collagen style didn't survive the decade!
Sequins are a standard part of the Olympic dress code for sports like gymnastics and skating, but this wasn’t always the case. It was figure skater Sonia Henie, again back in the late 1920s, with her white boots, choreography, and short skirts, which gave her more range of motion and helped her to perform jumps on the ice, whom first incorporated sequins on her outfit. And today it’s not just athletes loving sequins at the Olympics - Brazilian Supermodel Gisele Bundchen’s wore a gold sequin dress, at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony, which reportedly took four months to create!
So, now we know a bit more about the history, wealth status, and tribulations of actually producing our much-loved shimmery discs, we can understand why Sequins are not just for Christmas but are a girl’s best friend!
5 Ways you can wear sequins, by Sarah
1. Mix and match
Mixing sequins garments with articles of clothing that do not have embellishments will almost always look good. You can style old favourites, something plain, or casuals without fear of going overboard.
2. A Sequin Accessory
If you are a little wary about wearing a sequin garment, start with an accessory. You might choose a scarf, brooch (very trendy at the moment), a hat or a piece of jewellery.
3. Coloured Sequins
No need to stick with black, gold or silver. Sequins are available in every colour, even your favourite clothing colour palette.
4. Sequin skirt
Sequin skirts are on trend all year round not just party season! Choose from solid sequins or a skirt that has designs rendered in sequins.
5. Day time Sequins
Sequins are not just for the evening. Think sequin tank in monochrome under a blazer or wrap, a loose top with tailored trousers and a classic handbag, or just a collar, sleeves or cuffs of sequins.
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