Come this time of year, sequins are to the festive season what a fine coupé of champagne is to Christmas celebrations: a luxurious necessity.
Let’s be frank: winter can be a struggle, courtesy of the ebbing daylight and dreary weather, which is why we’re of the belief that it’s paramount to our wellbeing to add joy wherever we can. Much like our seasonal food and beverage intake, our wardrobes benefit from a festive loophole, allowing us the opportunity to indulge in desires that we might not deem acceptable in the rest of the year. Enter: sequins.
This year, the sparkling accent seems to have suffused into every corner of our wardrobes, and with a modern sensibility. Once viewed as at best kitschy and at worst naff, sequins were a pillar of the autumn/winter 25 collections, proffering grown-up opulence in fun and flirty iterations. Even typically quiet luxury-leaning brands such as Brunello Cucinelli gave its seal of approval, while Chanel and Gucci’s 2026 pre-fall collections proclaimed the sequin’s longevity past the immediate season.
But the question remains: how to style them in a sophisticated manner? The runways offered some inspiration on the subject, showing sequins in elevated shades of gunmetal greys, chartreuse and rich crimsons. There were also tonal ensembles and sheer iterations, the likes of which have been abundant on the red carpet, while the street style set have championed high-low styling, mixing unexpected pieces such as rugby tops and biker boots with feminine sequin skirts.
And, with New Year’s Eve fast approaching, there’s hardly a more appropriate time to embrace a glittering piece or two. Whether you’re hosting friends for a Hogmanay dinner, attending a fireworks display before diving into the nearest pub, or celebrating with an evening of cocktails and partying, sequins are a cinch when it comes to elevating your ensemble for ensuing festivities.
8 fresh and modern ways to wear sequins
Ahead, find eight polished ways to style sequins this New Year’s Eve, no matter what plans your evening may hold.
With sophisticated pieces
While you can dress down sequins with casual pieces, you can also use the opportunity of the festive season to go all out. Mix and match textures via accessories and layering to create an eye-catching ensemble: this outfit is a great example of how to do so, incorporating a black velvet blazer with a patent leather bag, slingback heels and pearl and gold jewellery. Note the matching of the gold-toned jewellery to the sequinned skirt and the cohesive black accessories which pull the look together and avoids it looking overly busy.
Saint Laurent velvet blazer
Nili Lotan Estis cashmere turtleneck top
Rotate sequinned midi skirt
Now 20% Off
Aeyde Catrina leather slingback heels
In chocolate brown
It’s almost impossible to be involved in the fashion discourse and not be aware of the popularity of chocolate brown this season. The rich, neutral hue has taken over everything from accessories to footwear and now, it’s making a strong case for sequins. As this outfit demonstrates, brown sequins and burgundy make for an exquisite match — break up the darkness of the look with a playful animal-print or lighter suede accessory.
Ferragamo draped cashmere cardigan
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Roland Mouret sequinned midi skirt
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Verafied Vera leather shoulder bag
Jil Sander leather sandals
Peeking out under tailoring
One failsafe equation for styling sequins this season is to mix form and function with fun. This skirt, constructed with chunkier paillettes rather than smaller sequins, provides an interesting counterpart to the structured blazer; it’s feminine yet unexpected, while the shorter skirt hemline above the knee keeps the proportions of the outfit balanced. Add a pair of loafers to lean into the preppy aesthetic, or a pair of patent leather slingbacks for the evening.
McQueen double-breasted wool blazer
Chloé Marcie embellished leather loafers
Demellier Miami suede clutch
In vibrant hues
Why not take the opportunity of the festive period to experiment with your colour palette? Chartreuse is at once seasonal and eye-catching, and looks achingly cool when styled only with black accessories — think semi-sheer tights, patent leather slingback heels and a neat East-West shoulder bag.
Galvan Valletta sequinned gown
Prada Prada 55mm leather pumps
STAUD STAUD small Ollie shoulder bag
With oversized proportions
Heading from the office straight to the Christmas party? This look will carry you seamlessly from one to the other. By cinching in the oversized funnel-neck knit with a skinny belt, the jumper doesn’t overpower the look: instead, paired with a sequin midi skirt, it delivers on a lady-like silhouette that’s both formal and festive.
Arket cashmere roll-neck jumper
Loewe anagram leather belt
Victoria Beckham sequinned floral midi skirt
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Amina Muaddi Charlotte 95 heels
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With a leather jacket
When the mercury really plummets but you’re still loyal to the cause, this outfit proves that sequins can be carried out in style — even in the coldest weather. A buttery leather shearling jacket adds a cool-girl edge to the glitz of a silver sequinned midi skirt, while a statement bag and knee-high stiletto heeled boots contrast playfulness with sophistication.
Stand Studio Kaz shearling-collar pocket jacket
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Sportmax sequinned pencil skirt
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Fendi pre-owned leopard print baguette
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Paris Texas knee-high boots
In tonal hues
Every winter sees us return to rich burgundies almost without fail; the deep, romantic hue pairs effortlessly with a range of neutral shades and injects an immediate elegance to a look. Style a claret red sequin dress with brown tights and chocolate patent leather slingbacks for a cohesive look that’s equal parts party-appropriate and sophisticated.
Lucy Delius – The Lucky One 14-karat Recycled Gold Diamond Bracelet – 17
M&S 40 denier chocolate tights
Gianvito Rossi 85mm Robbie slingback heels
With a cropped trench coat
To add some opulence to daytime ensembles, a sequinned silver midi or maxi skirt has been a popular choice amongst the fashion set. Layer a cropped trench coat and pick out your favourite pair of retro-style trainers for a look that nails effortless, on-the-go chic.
Burberry cropped trench jacket
Rotate sequinned maxi skirt
Now 50% Off
