A Brief History of Sequins

Sequins have such a troubled history. Once the darling of decorating, then the mark of cheap fast fashion, and now who knows. Sequins are very much a teenager again- figuring out just who they are in the world.  For me sequins are a statement- best used in unexpected ways to add charm and adventure to an outfit.  This plus size sequin oversized biker jacket from Isolated Heroes is a perfect example of this. I paired it with a velvet crop top from Fashion to Figure, a velvet skirt from Eloquii, a faux fur stole from Amazon, and my favorite green velvet boots from Asos (alternative).

Sequins started their foray into fashion as literal pieces of currency worn by Egyptians as a way to showcase their wealth. I imagine King Tut strutting around the pyramids declaring ” I’m so wealthy I can sew all this glittery cash money on my coat”. In fact, the name sequin comes from “sikkah” the Arabic word for coin.

Now the 17th century brought to life the sequins we know today- smaller in size and used for ornamentation versus ostentatious displays of wealth. Sequins were broadly incorporated into textile designs until the 1920s when sequins began to coat fabric entirely leaving them dripping in sparkle.  However these dresses were covered in thousands of pieces of metal. They were heavy. Too heavy.In the 30s, things got weird. Because the metal was so heavy, designers started using gelatin (like jell-o, jell-o sequins folks) to make the shiny accents. These sparkles were finicky and would pretty much dissolve if exposed to heat. As a result, sequins became primarily winter wear. Also, better not make out with a girl in a sequin dress, because you might get caught sequin handed. There was a popular phrase that “missing sequins could tell tales” because women and there dance partners were often judged at the end of the night by where on the dress the sequins had dissolved.

Modern sequins came about in the 1930s when Herbert Lieberman in partnership Eastman Kodak ( yes the camera film company) created sequins from acetate stock. However less likely to melt if people got frisky, acetate sequins were still incredibly fragile. In the 50s Dupont invented Mylar which coated the acetate sequins giving them strength and greater durability.

Acetate sequins were used primarily until vinyl eventually took over, because they were cheaper and more durable. However, sequin pros will tell you nothing shines or holds it’s shape as well as a acetate sequin coated in Mylar. Nothing.  However, as I am not made of money- just fashion dreams- I’ll be over here appreciating just how magically sparkly this jacket and it’s vinyl sequins are.

How to Rock The Velvet In-Between

Velvet or Velour is one of those weird fabrics that seems to only to live at the polar ends of the dressing spectrum. It’s either pieces fit for pajama lounge time or its found in elegant gowns and fancy waistcoats. Until this season, that is. Playful in-between velvet items have been popping up all over the place and I couldn’t help but share a few looks to inspire you all to look at velvet a little bit differently.

Urban Cool

This fun and functional Torrid velvet skirt adds a kick of sass to this awesome ‘Thick Hunny” t-shirt from Luella. Thrown on with my favorite gold sneakers (similar) and a pair of classic gold oversized earrings, this outfit is your go to for casual cool.

Romantic Country

One might argue that a velvet dress is automatically formal. I say, “NAY.” The tiered seams of this Simply Be velvet dress add a low key feel, while the black boots  from Modcloth add a slight nod to the current equestrian trend.  Velvet can be heavy, so to keep this look visually light, I added a gold accent belt (similar) for definition and my favorite black tassel earrings from amazon.

Eccentric Indie

I love this Modcloth pinafore because it’s such a unique use of velvet and matures a clothing item that is often reserved for children. I paired it with fun striped trumpet sleeve shirt I snagged at Primark in the UK (only available in store) and some comfy ballet inspired flats from Target. It’s a 3 piece look that is anything but simple.

Other Great Velvet Items


Here are some other great unexpected velvet pieces that might be fun to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe.

Queen of Lace: Velvet Plus Size Outfit Inspiration

Queen of Lace: Velvet Plus Size Outfit Inspiration

plus size velvet dress boohoo jordyn woodsThis Jordyn Woods for boo hoo plus size dress spoke to me from the pages of the internet. It screamed buy me. It gave my such strong 90s rocker babe vibes I couldn’t help but grab it and style the perfect plus size velvet look. The truth is with a dress like this, you don’t really need much. Just attitude, and a killer set of boots.
plus size velvet dress boohoo jordyn woodsI am really excited about the back of this dress and it’s lacy lacy surprise. My only caveat is that it’s a literal struggle to figure out how to put the dress on as the straps are attached in this weird way that left me a bit confused on how to actually wear it. It looks super fantastic on, but super intimidating on the hanger. It’s like a fashion puzzle.
plus size velvet dress boohoo jordyn woodsAs for these rock and roll ready boots, I found these stunners at Target. The bright maroon bejeweled velvet heel and fake suede boots are basically magic in a shoe. You know me, if it’s sparkly I generally need it. The royally bedazzled heel is simply bananas. And it they don’t look cheap. They look like I shouldn’t be able to afford them, but shock and awe they’re super affordable.
plus size velvet dress boohoo jordyn woods
I was thinking today about how sometimes you don’t need a lot to feel like a goddess. A well cut dress and an amazing set of heels and boom you’re done. I would like to say I had some amazing styling here, but really other than bring some Madonna vibes with some amazing silver necklaces from my archive… I the dress and shoes did most the work.
plus size velvet dress boohoo jordyn woods

Purple Reign: How to Royally Rock Velvet

Purple Reign: How to Royally Rock Velvet

plus size fashion velvet ideas So this weeks plus size outfit theme is velvet! Velvet has long been viewed as the royalist of fabrics. This is because it had 3  of the favorite attributes of the royal family- expensive, hard to make, and imported from a far far land (Cairo to be exact). Originally velvet was made of silk, but modern technology allows us more affordable options made from cotton and synthetic fabrics. So us plebs can now rock the royally renowned shroud like the everyday queens we are.
plus size fashion velvet ideasToday’s dress is a special type of velvet- called crushed velvet. Basically they take an iron and press the hell out of the dress in a variety of different ways leaving the velvet ” crushed” and super shiny. Obviously it’s ultra reflective so I love it. This dress is available from Club L on Asos.  Swish swish glean swish. plus size fashion velvet ideasA dress like this is kind of a show stopper itself, but I live by the rhinestone creed which basically means when something shines- make it shine even more. More sparkles. More glitz. More light. So I added a lovely necklace gifted to me by an old boss that is basically the jewelry equivalent of a disco ball.  Shine bright like a diamond I shall.
plus size fashion velvet ideasI believe in flats. I don’t think you need to have the perfect heels with a dress this bold. So I paired this look with my favorite basic flat. It comes from a collaboration Target did with Sam & Libby. Amazingly there are still pairs available. I am actually in the process of purchasing some back ups for when the two pairs I already have bite the dust. I wear these darlings so much- it’s worth it.
plus size fashion velvet ideasThe coat is a staple from last years closet and just ties the black color in through the outfit. The mini buns, they felt like a nice reference back to the 90s when velvet was on top of the fashion hit list. Lastly I am rocking my favorite bangles to add just a little nod back to that so much of a statement necklace.

Plus Size Fall Fashion Inspiration: Sheerly Bohemian

Plus Size Fall Fashion Inspiration: Sheerly Bohemian

For the next 5 days, I am going to be showing off my favorite fall trends, made for plus size bodies. To kick things off I’m showcasing one of my favorite trends- modern bohemian. This trend takes hippy vibes and mixes them with decidedly urban elements to create a new style aesthetic that is both nostalgic and modern. Plus size fall fashion trends 2016 bohemian 1

You can spot this trend cropping up everywhere if you look for the signs. First and foremost- deconstructed denim. Jeans this season provide a variety of washes all with a truly lived in feeling. Expect everything from hole filled denims, to completely reconstructed denims- like this pair from Lovesick.

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Second there’s a return of bohemian inspired elements, on refreshing forms. Expect to see unexpected embroidery, folk style prints, and sheer prairie cuts ( like this dress from Eloquii). This shirt is a perfect example- its a refreshed take on a sheer over shirt with  a Scandinavian inspired embroidery. The result is a cool way to pop some color, while still rocking an of the time silhouette.

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Another unusually pairing is the resurgence of velvet on fashion forward and bold accessories. I am digging velvet chokers- because of my unhealthy love of all things 90s – like this one from alapopjewelery on Etsy. The key is a one per outfit rule, so I added a nod to this other fall fashion trend by adding a little funky chunky crushed velvet to my step.

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If you’d like to score this plus size fall fashion look:

Photos  taken by Dr. Photo.

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