A sequin is a spangle and it catches the light easily. It
also catches the onlooker's immediate interest, as light is
reflected with movement of the sequin disc. Spangles,
sequins, pailettes, call them what you will, sequins are big news
this autumn. One of the best party looks this autumn 2007 is the all over sequin A-line tunic dress
which is a fashion trend that has been growing.
For value for money sequin styles check out
the high street for the latest party
hot trends. Shops are already gearing up for party
wear purchasers.
One
of the most attractive type of this dress, is this abstract bead and sequin patterned tunic
dress from French Connection available Autumn 2007. The futuristic space age
effect is one of metallic liquid wet paint glimmering with
glitzy glamour. It's such an easy comfortable fashion
trend to
wear and the shortness can easily be offset by extra special
tights. Lurex hosiery would add an extra party touch, as
would coloured tights.
Above left - Sequin and bead detail of the dress right.
Above right - French Connection Campaign '07 - Funky petal
sequin dress £160 with black platform shoes £85.
Right - Monsoon gunmetal and copper sequin tunic dress, another
dress that looks like molten liquid.
This
simple A-line shift is a much loved silhouette of the 60s and
70s.
The dress may have short cap sleeves, or be sleeveless.
Sometimes there are long sleeved versions and generally these
often have contrast softer, or semi sheer sleeves.
Left
- Monsoon Christmas Collection 2007 - Haidee Tunic - £65/€99 -
In Store November.
Right detail of the sequin fabric which is not as dense with
sequins, as the first two tunics. This should make the
dress much lighter to wear. One factor with beaded and
sequin clothes the wearer needs to consider is the weight of the
dress. Dependant on the volume of embellishment they can be
heavy to wear.
The fashionable bateau neckline is also called a boat neck, because of
the shallow shape that looks like the curve of a rowing boat
sitting on the sea.
The bateau closely follows the line of the collarbone and thus is a
conservative, wearable silhouette. The neckline sits well
under coats with fancy or complex collars. On occasion,
such necklines are offset with either detachable flat collars
or bertha picture collars, which broaden the shoulder line to set
off the face even more.
These wide bateau necks show off a nicely proportioned head and
neck, or a great hairstyle. But they also show the collar
bones (clavicles) and these are the bones that many consider to
be an area of great beauty in a woman. They show delicacy
and femininity and are revered in the same way as high
cheekbones are in a woman. Sometimes, the visible bone
hollows formed by the delicacy of the collarbones are are
referred to as salt cellars. Generally salt cellars are
seen on slender people.
Above right - Monsoon Fusion Christmas Collections 2007 - Silver
Gatsby Dress, £75/€115 - In Store November.
Because
the decorative, embellished fabric can sometimes catch the skin, most
methods of construction involve using a full lining which is
turned through leaving a smooth neckline and armhole edge.
Be sure to check your decorated garment is lined well before purchasing
such a style. Cheaper versions sometimes simply use the
textured self fabric neckline facing, and this may ultimately
rub your skin on wearing.
The Warehouse dress above, follows the same neckline contour as
the sleeved tunic dresses shown above, but this dress is
sleeveless. This in itself makes it look very different.
As in the halter
dress page you can see how the arms become elongated when
the armscye is cut in slightly.
The same basic dress can take on another distinct look if the
neckline is scooped out creating a scoop neckline.
This sleeveless scoop neck tunic style especially suits the
young, with well toned skin and arms. If you do have great
skin you may wish to show off your back.
Right - This black, embellished low back mini dress, is also from
Warehouse and is £55/€85. The Lurex tights add a festive touch.
Your bust may be your finest asset so some of you will want a dress that shows off your
cleavage.
Look then to the Christmas collections in the high street.
The first cocktail dress left, is from Emma Somerset. The centre
maxi dress from Monsoon and the evening dress right is from Warehouse.
Full length evening dresses like these pewter grey and silver
sequin empire line gowns above, emphasis the bustline and
shoulders with bead or cabochon stone decoration.
Left - Emma Somerset Autumn/Winter 2007 silver grey silk
halter neck dress and scarf £440 by Jovani. Earrings £55 by Emma
Somerset.
Centre - Monsoon Christmas Collection 2007 - Milla Dress -
£160/€250 - In Store October.
Warehouse Christmas Collection Autumn Winter 2007 - Silver
sequin maxi dress, £65/€99.
Simple cover ups include little jackets either silky or faux
fur like these two right.
Near right - Monsoon Christmas Collection 2007 -Ava Jacket -
£50/€78.
Far right -Wallis Autumn Winter 2007 - Grey metallic crop jacket
£75/€120.
These are the new fashion styles from Monsoon,
French Connection, Warehouse, Wallis and Emma Somerset, for
Fashion Trends Autumn 2007, Winter 2008.
Fads for decorating with sequins come and go. Over the years sequins have been made of many
materials. The oldest sequin use is thought to be those found at
King Tutankhamen's burial site. Craftsmen produced the
sequins by rolling gold super thin, cutting out discs, glazing
them to prevent scratches and then attaching them to the boy
king's clothes. Shisha mirror work has a long
history in India and among nomadic tribes.
Gold coins have also
been used as a form of sequins and the travelling Romany gypsies
decorated their clothes with coinage. Others suggest
that iridescent fish scales have also been used. Certainly fine layers of
mother of pearl have been used to make sequins. A more robust
version is that worn by Pearly Kings and Queens who have
decorated their clothes with natural mother-of-pearl shell
buttons. The buttons discs reflect light in a similar manner - all
sequins discs are intended to behave as spangles to catch the
light and reflect it back.
Sequins were certainly being used in embroideries of the C16th.
Usually silver metal, discs were made from flattening a ring of
silver wire. The flat silver disc was sewn on with a bead to
hold it in place. They were embroidered on to three dimensional C16th
English pieces found on stomachers, mules, bonnets
and shoes.
When gelatine was discovered and used to create sequins, the
sequins produced from the material were unstable and could never
be laundered or put near heat. They also gave off an
odour. I'll leave that bit to your imagination!
Special thanks to David of
prshots
with all images on this page courtesy of
French Connection, Monsoon, Warehouse, Emma Somerset, Wallis, Marks and
Spencer from the Autumn Winter 2007/8 ranges.
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One
of the most attractive type of this dress, is this abstract bead and sequin patterned tunic
dress from French Connection available Autumn 2007. The futuristic space age
effect is one of metallic liquid wet paint glimmering with
glitzy glamour. It's such an easy comfortable fashion
trend to
wear and the shortness can easily be offset by extra special
tights. Lurex hosiery would add an extra party touch, as
would coloured tights.
This
simple A-line shift is a much loved silhouette of the 60s and
70s. 
Left
- Monsoon Christmas Collection 2007 - Haidee Tunic - £65/€99 -
In Store November. 
Because
the decorative, embellished fabric can sometimes catch the skin, most
methods of construction involve using a full lining which is
turned through leaving a smooth neckline and armhole edge.
Be sure to check your decorated garment is lined well before purchasing
such a style. Cheaper versions sometimes simply use the
textured self fabric neckline facing, and this may ultimately
rub your skin on wearing.
Simple cover ups include little jackets either silky or faux
fur like these two right.
