December 2, 2015

When only a sparkly top will do

I have had a weekend of two halves, from head lice and croup on the one hand to wine tastings (brilliant fun and highly recommend Angelo at Bedales in Borough Market – very easy on the eye too!) and hen dos on the other. From nit combs to willy straws and delicious Pinot Noirs to Calpol, with quite a lot of sleeplessness and hair/sheet washing in between.

But the point of this, is that for the first time in ages, I needed a sparkly top. I have to admit, I am a bit snobby about sparkly tops because there is definitely a whiff of cruise ship about them but it is about how you wear them.

That said, I have this lovely one from Reiss that is a couple of years old but has served me so well. I have worn this in the summer with faded jeans, with a black leather mini skirt, with leather look trousers and on a multitude of occasions because it is white and because although it is sparkly, it isn’t too in-your-face-blingy.

So this is it, the last instalment in the Christmas party-wear trilogy: that all important sparkly top. Sticking with the white theme, (I actually think that it works very well and is more multi purpose than black) is this Marcia Sequin Cami from Whistles £120. I love the way this is styled with the slim leg trousers, heels and animal clutch. A nice bit of edge to an otherwise very pretty and feminine top. The self-coloured sequins will give just enough sparkle so as to be festive and you can wear on your summer holiday too. Pop on a jacket if you feel a bit exposed.

If you want something a bit more full on then the Oval Sequin top £130 would also fit the bill.

Reiss has a couple of sparkly numbers and this metallic Ona Metallic Vest £50 one would also work equally well with black trousers as it would with white jeans in the summer. It comes in black as well if you do prefer.

Mango has this little Sequinned top £49.99 which comes in the lovely nude – not right for all skin colourings – but also in black. It does have a split at the back so unless you are happy with all that flesh on show, a little vest top underneath would maintain modesty. Another, in the nude, that would work across the seasons.

If you are after a bit more coverage, then here are some other options.

A big bargain, and good for arm coverage is this Sequined Blouse H&M £24.99. As well as the black/silver combo, it also comes in silver/gold. Unbelievably you can also machine wash this, so no problem if you or some sweaty drunkard spills their drink down it.

Another option is this jersey Sequin Marl T-Shirt £30 from Warehouse. It is about how you wear these more traditional shapes and the tapered leg trouser, some fierce heels and a clutch work well.

Oasis has this Sequin Wrap Back top £45 which is a bit less overtly evening than the other styles and so would work well for a day-time do like Christmas day. It also comes in navy.

Another arm coverer is this Sequin Polo Top £75 from Topshop. Sequins and polo are not two words I thought I would ever say in the same sentence, let alone actually contemplate wearing. However this is pretty cool because it isn’t about the flesh on show. Unlike the sequinned crop tops which also seem to be on the high street, which I would advise against unless you are a teenager or are on the X Factor. Think I may be sold. There is NYE after all…

Hello Zara, what a beauty this Sequinned Blouse is for £29.99 and rather sophisticated too. Nice v back and a bit of sexy shoulder action but also good for covering up all the other bits.

Ok so you have your top half sorted but what to pop on the bottom? Well, I have already worn my coated jeans several times in the couple of weeks I have had them. A bit more edgy and eveningy than a pair of straightforward black jeans, they provide a nice counterbalance to a bit of sparkle. Equally you can wear them in the day with boots or trainers and a nice oversized knit.

Mine are from New Look and are high-waisted so much better for keeping body and pants out of sight: Coated Super Skinny Jeans £22.99.