Admit it, you're in love with the sparkle.
I can't deny that sequins have at one point or another been a pivotal piece in my wardrobe. Whether it's sequined dresses, jackets, skirts, tops or another sparkly garment, there is a magnetic element of glamour that a girl seeks to indulge herself in when donning a sequined piece.
Karen "Britchick" Blanchard, Blogger
A few months ago, while I browsed for fashion inspiration for the new year, I came across dozens of girls that rocked sequin dresses in a fly way. Yet, I have to say that there was little diversity, with most looks encompassing the "sequin dress, high-heel" routine that we are so accustomed to. But when I landed on one of my favorite blogger's websites to see what she had to offer, I was amazed and browsed her gallery of sequin styles for over an hour, inspired by the many sequined garments, new and vintage, that she had acquired and in awe of the multiple ways she pulled them off on any day of the year.
Karen "Britchick" Blanchard is what I like to call a curator of cool and, specifically, a sequin goddess. Having had her personal and street style blog, Where Did U Get That, for close to seven years, it's safe to say she has amassed a wardrobe to make any girl salivate and within all of her belongings, she possesses dozens of dazzling pieces that truly make you go "where did she get that?!" I interviewed Karen who explained that she has always been drawn to sequins and their versatility. "To me they are too pretty to be considered party clothes. Plus, they come in so many styles that they just work with my way of thinking which is to experiment and have fun with your outfits."
Not only does she have fun, avant-garde pieces that peek one's curiosity, but she wears them all in the edgiest and unique ways. The blogger's style has been refined as a result of the surrounding culture which she thoughtfully embraces."I get inspired by everyone from around the streets. I shoot a lot and so I observe a lot of different styles which is really fascinating."
Karen provides endless inspiration on how to take your sequin, and personal, style to the next level. For those daring to test the waters she illustrates a simple style tip that works for all, "pairing sequins with an everyday piece like jeans is something anyone can do. They balance each other out. I say find a drapey oversized sequin t-shirt and you are done."
Whether you've chosen a sequin dress, skirt or anything in between, this sequin queen is sure to have a look that will open your mind and give you a fresh, original, and vivacious look.
Here are five ways Karen has rocked her sequins that we're loving.
Party Ready
Karen dons a dazzling pencil skirt with bright pink pumps and a crisp white shirt and blazer for a fresh look that is appropriate for any party. By selecting a neutral top, she has perfectly balanced out her bold, colorful skirt and avoided an overpowering look.
Girly and Sweet
Socks with heels are always a nod to the girly aesthetic, and Karen looks every bit dainty and sweet in her leopard pumps with calf socks, gold sequined skirt and fuzzy blue sweater. Color pops help to round out a feminine look and the blogger's bright pink lips and royal blue purse took the outfit up another notch.
Edgy and Cool
In one of my favorite looks from the blogger, Karen went full-force sequin in a glimmering skirt and vibrant, sequin jacket. By pairing the embellished pieces with casual Adidas and a blue fur accessory, she tones the look down while maintaining a unique edge. While she boldly combined two bright sequined pieces for her look, she was able to play down the shimmer with sneakers for a clean look.
Rocker Chic
Karen brings ultimate cool with a sequined top and skirt that provide a mixed-metal feel. Her jazzy look feels rocker with the help of leather boots and a bad-ass suede and shearling Acne coat.
Casual With a touch of Sparkle
Here, Karen's sparkling silver leggings feel natural for a casual day with her minimal black booties, powder-pink fluffy sweater and grey pea coat for a laid-back look.
Now that I've whet your palette, check out the gallery below to see some other cool ways to rock each of these looks!
RELATED
Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images
A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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Feature image by AzmanL/ Getty Images