Understated Bling

understated bling

Understated bling…

Is that an oxymoron? Well, it shouldn’t be. Yes, I know that sequins usually make you think of OTT glam and sparkly outfits. But that’s not my style.

I’m a minimalist: I like clothes that are stylish yet understated and comfortable. For me, elegance means simplicity and functionality, and comfort means that I wear my clothes the same way I would wear my pyjamas. In other words, my clothes must be comfortable enough to sleep in. That’s a figure of speech, of course, but you get the idea…

So, how do sequins fit into that equation?

It’s all about balance: a careful mix of casual and glam that looks totally accidental. You know, as if I just threw something together quickly. And that is as much a matter of  mixing the right casual and glam items as it is a matter of doing so with the right attitude.

Let me explain. Instead of treating the sequinned skirt as something for special occasions, I’m wearing it for a spot of sightseeing and a casual lunch. And that’s why I’m wearing it as if it was a very casual skirt: pairing it with something  simple and relaxed. In this case my favourite (of the moment) striped top, flat shoes and a tote bag. And then I add the glam elements of the outfit, my favourite pair of leopard print sunglasses and the rose gold leather earrings, to complement and repeat the colour scheme of the rose gold sequins in the skirt.

But how did I end up with a sequinned skirt in the first place? It is a rather unusual item for me, after all. Well, it was one of those spur of the moment impulse buys I sometimes succumb to. Yes, fast fashion, the worst kind: something I will wear once or twice and then discard. It must be something about Christmas; it makes me think getting cheap bling is somehow a good idea. Last year it was the silver pleated skirt. I wore it exactly twice.

And yes, I do feel guilty about buying fast fashion that I wear just a few times. It seems so irresponsible: waste of money and bad for the environment. Yet, I do it (though not very often). For fun. As I said, wasteful…

But you know what, I really like this outfit. For now, anyway.

And in case you’re wondering, that’s not a bad rash on my arm but just a reflection of the sequins…

casual festive wear

how to wear a sequin skirt

chic stripes

Outfit details:

skirt: Vila / top: Vila (old) / bag: Coach /

sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana (old) / shoes: Clarks (old) / earrings: Viktoria Boldt

location: Design Centre, Funchal (Madeira)

How do you feel about fast fashion?

Tiina

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishGaray TreasuresHigh Latitude StyleThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeCoco et La Vie en Rose,  Living on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashThe Fashionista MommaTina’s Pink FridayFake FabulousLazy daisy JonesVanity and MeSheela WritesJodie’s Touch of StyleGlass of Glam

24 Comments

  1. Nancy's Fashion Style
    6 January 2018 / 8:25 am

    HAhaha, I am glad you explaned that, about your arms!😂😂😂😂 That is a beautiful skirt! And I like that you Styled it casualy!

    • Tiina L
      8 January 2018 / 11:03 am

      Thanks, Nancy!

  2. vanity andme
    6 January 2018 / 8:55 am

    The skirt is gorgeous and I like the styling smart/casual I think it would look great with a sweater too.Laurie x

    • Tiina L
      8 January 2018 / 11:05 am

      Thanks, Laurie. Yes, a cashmere sweater maybe? A little bit of glam and luxury to brighten the dark winter days…

  3. fashion tips
    6 January 2018 / 12:19 pm

    Wow!! amazing outfits!! love that glam and sparkly sequinned skirt looking so shine you are really adorable in this outfits.Modalist – Celebrating a World of Style and Fashion

    • Tiina L
      8 January 2018 / 11:06 am

      Thank you.

  4. Patti
    7 January 2018 / 10:22 pm

    I adore this combination and you look terrific, Tiina! I often wear my tulle skirt with a graphic cotton tee for a similar mix. Thanks for linking up, xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      8 January 2018 / 11:08 am

      Thanks, Patti. I like the casual/glam combo, or at least I prefer it to the full-on glam look.

  5. señora Allnut
    8 January 2018 / 12:04 pm

    I love a sequined piece in a daily outfit, and you rock it totally in your 'efortless chic' attitude. I think that you look gorgeous, elegant and comfy!besos

    • Tiina L
      12 January 2018 / 5:11 pm

      Thank you. Being comfy is important; you can only be elegant is you're comfortable, too. That's what I believe, anyway.

    • Tiina L
      12 January 2018 / 5:12 pm

      Thank you.

  6. Grace Liang
    10 January 2018 / 2:29 am

    Love how you pair the bling skirt with a casual chic top! Very pretty! Please stop by at http://www.colorandgrace.com every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for linkup parties! Hope to see you there!Grace Liangwww.colorandgrace.com

    • Tiina L
      12 January 2018 / 5:12 pm

      Thanks, Grace.

  7. Samantha Blair
    10 January 2018 / 2:27 pm

    Argggghhhh that skirt!!!… love love LOVE this sparkly look.Thank you for linking up to #fakeituntilyoumakeit!SamanthaXXXFake Fabulous | Style Tips and Fun with Fashion, over 40

    • Tiina L
      12 January 2018 / 5:13 pm

      Thanks, Samantha.

  8. Amber R
    11 January 2018 / 1:47 pm

    This skirt is such a great piece! I bet you will end up wearing it more than you originally thought, making it totally worth the purchase. =)http://www.avecamber.comhttp://www.bloglovin.com/avecamberI hope you are having a great week so far!Amber

    • Tiina L
      12 January 2018 / 5:16 pm

      Thanks, Amber. Well, we'll see about the skirt. It's winter now: I don't know if this skirt works with cold weather looks…

  9. Nicole Mölders
    12 January 2018 / 5:00 am

    This sequin skirt is a great find. Too bad that they have no great insulating effect and we barely can wear them in winter in our Nordic climate. But they are great in the temperate maritime climate of GB. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.

    • Tiina L
      12 January 2018 / 5:17 pm

      Indeed. It's not cold indoors in Finland, but I tend to wear more trousers in winter, anyway.

  10. Emma Peach
    15 January 2018 / 10:11 pm

    I love the combination of the sequin skirt and striped top! I have to confess that I have four sequin skirts I've yet to wear – I hope that makes you feel less guilty! Thanks for linking up!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      17 January 2018 / 4:47 pm

      Thanks, Emma.Wow, four sequin skirts. Well, if they're all different, why not?

  11. Kaffe Soester
    12 February 2018 / 5:52 pm

    Sorry for being so late here, but I too love your skirt! I think sequins are eternally chic and great for brightening up darker days. Brilliant mix with the striped top – can't wait to see what you will pair it with next time – there will be a next time, right?

    • Tiina L
      14 February 2018 / 5:41 pm

      Thanks you! Yes, there will be a next time, very soon…

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