The Sequin Goes Glam

Happy 4th, darlings! Let the spangling begin!

The sequin, once the dreaded domain of the pageant-goer, is being embraced by the fashion mainstream. Even couturiers are sanctioning the use of the pailette (stress on the second syllable), as it is sometimes called. Think less disco, more runway. Behold the beauty and sophistication of this striped Armani Privé Couture strapless gown; photo via style.com.
Solid silver sequins reigned at Collette Dinnigan. Photo courtesy nymag.com

Putty was the word at Valentino, where a tiered strapless frock glittered unassumingly. Runway photo via nymag.com.

And at Valentino Couture, gold pailettes adorned a fabulously sheer long sleeve gown. Detail photo at right via style.com.

Monochrome sequins were rejected in favor of . . .

leopard spots at Krizia,
. . . Flora at Paul & Joe,

and . . . patchwork at Emilio Pucci (sequined tank dress at right available at Net-a-Porter.com)
How can you get the look without looking like a Vegas showgirl? Keep the sparkled to one piece!

CC adores the understated sparkle of this Narciso Rodriguez sequin embellished gray v-neck shift dress. Visit net-a-porter.com.

For some attention-grabbing footwear reminiscent of both Cinderella and Dorothy, don these Miu Miu multicolor pailette pumps; picture via style.com.
There are lots of cute sequined tops out there, like this Sass & Bide Day Dreamer embellished camisole. Purchase at chickdowntown.com.

Dress this ASOS Premium Label sequin waistcoat up or down. Go to asos.com to buy.

In terms of sequined skirts, keep it short and sweet.

CC is loving this playful pink Moschino Cheap & Chic skater skirt, at net-a-porter.

If you're a bit more conservative, try this Derek Lam cotton tulle skirt with sequin embroidery, currently on sale at eLuxury.com.

For evening, carry a stunning Marc Jacobs Iris fuchsia sequined bag. Go to net-a-porter to purchase this adorable frog-embellished convertible clutch.

Take a basic dress to black-tie heights with Tracy Reese's 3/4 sleeve cardigan, for purchase at eLuxury.com. CC likes the uniqueness of the square sequin!

Sparkle and shine, just like tonight's fireworks!

I LOVE THE 80s

It’s official . . . they’re baaaaaaack. To jog your memory, see the cinematic wonders of the decade at http://www.fast-rewind.com/. Dress the part with fluorescent socks; Madonna bracelets; Jordache jeans; Vans, jellies, tricked-out Nikes or patent pumps; leg warmers or stirrup pants; Wayfarers; and dangly bright plastic earrings. While the iconic pieces pictured in the collage above are all "vintage", the rest of this post consists entirely of CURRENT fashion trends, all nods to the past but available NOW!

Some famous 80s labels that have recently reinvented themselves include: Lacroix, Halston, and Norma Kamali, and Ossie Clark. Other 80s trends that have been resurrected? Sperry Topsiders; Moon Boots; Tretorns; bodysuits; lanyards; and side ponytails. And don’t forget about Member Only jackets like this delightmare gold version at right, for purchase at traceyross.com !

An undeniably retro look by Enrico Coveri (photo at right taken from Italian Vogue’s coverage of the fall runway shows in Milan) is the modern embodiment of the 80s bright minidress, tights and booties trend. Awesome!

Ra Creations reminds us simultaneously of feather-trim roach clips and friendship bracelets with this Marykate peacock hair clip, for purchase at shopbop.com. Dope!

Don't forget your leggings! Whether they are leopard or lace, like Kova and T's (pictured at right and available at ronherman.com). Apparently Lindsay Lohan, determined to see that her favorite clothing item remains on the radar, has jumped on the legging-design bandwagon (though I have yet to see her creations in any store). Rad!

Of course, we all know how to channel the 80s with some fab retro sneakers. But how to go dressy, you ask? Darlings, fear not: the deliciously decadent footwear for Fall 2008 will keep you right in step with the Wall Street crew.

Just check out these fluorescent pink Emilio Pucci patent leather lace-up boots (at right).

Or, even more tragically hip, Christian Louboutin's ridiculously patterned leather and suede high-heel boots (at left). Both photos via style.com. Bitchin'!

I totally did a Jane Fonda double-take when I saw this photo of a performance by Girls Aloud at dailymail.com/uk. Holy leotards, Batman!

Well, darlings, it is true: girls just wanna have fun!

FASHION, CUBED!

Accessories for fall, which are reviewed and photographed extensively at style.com, are gleaming the CUBE!

Christian Louboutin's purple suede bracelet-strap handbag (upper left) channels Rubik, as does Pierre Hardy's moiré velvet sandal with cube details.

And Hardy's leather clutch (lower right) evokes another 80s fave: the Atari classic, Q-bert!

It's hip to be cube!

All photos via style.com.