You don’t need to break the bank to look like a million bucks. Adding a touch of sparkle and shimmer to your wardrobe with a sequin top or tee is an easy way to feel fabulous without spending a fortune.
Sequins, in small doses, are fashionable — especially this season. But finding sequin tops that are chic and affordable can be a challenge. Sadly, many of the cheaper options will have sequin overload. You’ve no doubt seen the overdone sequin top on a rack somewhere, and it’s not a good look.
So, let’s get into the styling of sequin tops and present six delightful pieces that are sure to add some pizzazz to your wardrobe.
Sequins outside of New Year’s Eve?
Sparkly sequin tops and dresses have long been associated with festive occasions like New Year’s Eve. But guess what? You can wear sequins fashionably even when you’re not partying the night away.
The trick is to avoid head-to-toe sparkle. Hence our focus on sequin tops here, rather than sequin dresses or sequin pants. The gist is this: A spattering of sequins is chic. Looking like all-out disco ball is not.
With a bit of sequin detail, you can walk confidently into dinner with the in-laws, happy hour with coworkers, or even a sports event (if you are sitting on the floor at a Laker game anyway). You just need to style it right, which isn’t hard if you know the secret.
Styling tips for sequin tops
That secret is: Always strive for balance when styling a sequin top. If your top is fully sequined, the rest of your outfit, including makeup and accessories, should be subtle, even muted or monochrome. You might pair a silver sequin top with dark grey trouser, for example.
You can wear a top with light sequin detailing almost like any other top — just consider removing one piece of jewelry from the mix.
Say you have a pretty blue top with sequins at the neckline. Skip the necklace because your shirt already has one. Add bottoms and shoes to suit your occasion. Jeans, skirts, shorts, or faux leather leggings would work, depending on where you’re headed.
Casual sequin tops
This eye-catching top is classy — a far cry from the itty-bitty sequin tops you see on mall mannequins. Crafted with a flowing loose sleeve, this top features a stunning sequined-trim neckline and a pretty, A-line fit.
The top is dressy enough to wear for a night out and elegant enough to take you to an evening event. For the night out, pair the top with taupe faux leather leggings and your best neutral heels. Curate a more elegant vibe by swapping out the leggings for a longer, slim skirt. Depending on your body type, you may need to tuck the top in or add a belt over the top.
A crew-neck sweater with sequined, blouson sleeves? Yes, please. Thanks to a simple, but flattering shape, you can wear this top so many ways. Try it with jeans and turn heads when you’re out with the girls. Or team it with masculine grey trousers and loafers for a fun contrast.
Dressy but not trashy sequin tops
Speaking of flattering, it’s hard to beat a deep V-neck with a criss-cross high waist. The gentle flair hides the usual problem areas, but still skims your curves. Pair this top with any form-fitting bottom, from skinny pants to a pencil skirt.
This top is heavy on the sequins, so you’ll find it best suited for nighttime events. One anonymous reviewer did say, “It’s not too much, just the right look.” So…it might work for indoor early evening events too.
Here’s another piece that’s easy to pair with almost any type of bottom. The subtle V-neck and bell sleeves keep things classy — a nice contrast to all-over sparkle. The classic and elegant design features a V-neck cut-out and 3/4 bell sleeves to flatter any figure, while the sparkly glitter fabric ensures you’ll be shining all night long. The polyester/rayon blend is lightweight enough to hold up on the dance floor, too.
The top is available in six colors, from pink to black.
Date-night sequin tops
This top is proof that sexy can come in a lacy, pink package. The peplum shape flatters while the pink lace and high neck adds interest and elegance.
Pull up your hair in a loose updo and keep your makeup soft with this top. Any body-hugging bottom will work here, as long as you don’t forget the heels.
When you’re ready to be the center of attention, slip into this sparkly bodysuit and put on your most confident smize (and thank you Tyra Banks, for adding that word to our language.) This bodysuit has a plunging cowl neck and an open back, so you can show off your best assets.
Sparkle and shine
See, you can wear sequins at any age and for any occasion! If you prefer more subtle styling, experiment with tops that have light sequin detailing. There’s no shame in saving the all-out sequins for your NYE outfits.
Alternatively, if you’re in a style rut, a bold sequin statement top is a quick path out. Pair it with faux leather leggings for a fierce, no-fail look.