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14 hours ago
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Halloween hadn’t even happened this year when my local supermarket began proudly displaying its festive womenswear. Almost exclusively spattered in sequins, it looked much the same as the previous year’s party offering and was already reduced by 50% by – wait for it – 11 November. For £9 you could pick up a black sequin vest a mere two weeks after it was available at an already worryingly low full price.
Judging by the sale and well-stocked rails, the items didn’t appear to be in demand, and with so many identikit sequin garments in existence (more than 500 black sequin vests at the same price and under on Vinted at the time of writing in the UK), what’s the point of producing more every year?
You may have guessed I am not a fan of sequins. Aside from being itchy and uncomfortable to wear, they come with myriad environmental issues. Like the polyester they’re often stitched to, sequins are made from plastic, which is oil-derived and highly energy intensive to produce. In order to fashion them into sequins, discs need to be punched out of a sheet of shiny plastic, which means 33% of the material is wasted during production. And according to Fashion Roundtable, it’s unlikely that those stitching the sequins to a fast fashion item would have been paid a fair wage.
The damage continues once they’re in our possession. Sequins are prone to falling off garments, leaving plastic litter all over the planet for hundreds, if not thousands, of years (yes, I will bang this drum again come summer’s festival season). When washed, they release microplastics into the water system and the environment. But many will never even make it into the wash: according to Oxfam, most sequin items are worn an average of just five times before being thrown away.
I would also caution against brands touting items made using recycled sequins. They aren’t made from old sequins but recycled PET (usually made from recycled plastic bottles and packaging), so come with all of the same problems minus the initial oil extraction. Since the planet undoubtedly already has enough sequins, you could try getting yours preloved (Oxfam has a great selection) or rental (By Rotation will do the trick), while simply wearing the sparkly stuff you already own for as long as possible is the best way to keep it out of landfill.
In spite of my own feelings about sequins, I am by no means a party pooper, and have been embracing less damaging festive fabrics and finishes – from velvet to tartan – for many years. Buying better in a way that’s less damaging to people and the planet means investing in things you will wear year after year; timeless classics that are well made to stand the test of time. So if you want to bring some sequin energy to your look, minus the sequins, I have some alternatives up my puffed sleeve.
The best sequin-free Christmas party looks
Velvet strides
Cotton velvet trousers
The warm sheen and soft touch of velvet makes it the ultimate Christmas fabric, in my opinion. My mum reckons she’s been wearing her black velvet trousers for at least the past 25 Christmases, and this will be the fourth year that my own have been in rotation. If I needed a new pair, I’d go for these – the ideal Christmas Day combo of a luxury fabric with a comfy elastic waist.
Tartan army
Tartan dress
Tartan print dress
I’ve always worn tartan as a year-rounder, and thanks to The Traitors this is truer than ever (new season starts in January!). While festive colour combos of red and green are undoubtedly a great option at Christmas, picking something in a different palette may give you more wears in the long run.
Pep me up
Cotton ribboned vest
Nothing says, “I’m off to a fancy dinner and I might need to loosen my waistband” like a peplum. There are lots around at the moment, yet they’re never truly out of style, so are a good investment to whip out as the ultimate nice top to accompany your jeans. This one should work with pretty much anything in your wardrobe. I like to wear this style over a slim-line roll neck with a long skirt and look-at-me-shoes.
Bauble earrings
Single stripy earring
Festive-feel earrings don’t need to be novelty ones that require a battery, nor do they need to be Christmas exclusive. This single stripy number is made from glass and hangs on an 18-carat gold plated hoop.
Power puffs
Black cotton dress
Black denim dress
Small design flourishes – such as puff sleeves – are a great way to add a bit more party oomph to your look. The Omnes dress is made using BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton, and has a subtle velvet bow for bonus festive points.
Thready, steady, party
Organic cotton embroidered dress
Perhaps it’s the intricacy of sequins that makes them feel like occasion wear, so it makes sense to substitute them with embroidery. This versatile dress could be worn on its own, or styled with a roll neck and jeans underneath for a more casual party vibe. If you’re feeling creative, you could embroider stars and other festive motifs to something you already own with this kit.
Bags of joy
Puffy silver bag
A snazzy little bag will do wonders for your sequin-free party personality. Look for something beaded, embellished or metallic in natural or recycled materials. Fancy bags are a really great thing to pick up secondhand, so check out your local vintage store for something that’s already been to a few parties in its time.
Silk cuts
Silk robe dress
It is possible to shine without resorting to sequins, and while I could make a cheesy comment about your sparkling personality, I’m going to stick to talking about silk. Beware: many fabrics marked as silk will be synthetic (AKA plastic) fibre blends, but this dress is 100% natural.
Gold leather ankle boots
Gold leather T-bar flats
The ideal investment for the more casual party-goer (me), these tick the box if you want to feel a bit fancy without the pain of heels (also me). Fantastic with jeans, great with skirts and dresses, and incredibly comfy to boot.
Spot the difference
Viscose jersey leopard print top
Puff-sleeve red leopard blouse
Leopard may have been declared a neutral by some, but when styled with some of the other items in this list (see velvet trousers and metallic boots for details), it’s still a party classic. Just add a red lip.
Put a ribbon on it
Merino wool tie cardigan
Tie front tops are a favourite with sustainable fashion brands because they negate the need for buttons and zips, which are often made from plastic. They look great all year, but are especially appropriate for Christmas gatherings when made from merino wool.
Silk organza dress (slip sold separately)
You really will feel special in an organza frock like this one, especially when it’s necessary to wear a silk slip underneath. Longevity-wise, consider styling the dress over a vest and trousers, or pairing the slip with a white tee, 90s style, for more casual events than NYE.
Accessories or decs?
Tartan bow
Red stripe bow
These clip-in bows are great to wear in your hair, but you could also use them as Christmas decorations. The Well Worn ones are made using deadstock fabrics, which are offcuts from this small brand’s production studio. Multi-use and zero-waste.
Fancy throw-on
Tie-side wool tabard
A classic example of an easy win, this is a great secret weapon to keep in your wardrobe, or even your work bag. Unexpected office trip to the pub? Throw this on over any average top and it will vastly elevate your look.
Frill seekers
Jersey ruffle top
The ideal frilly situation for anyone who shies away from formal wear, this jersey top is like a fancy roll neck that will zhoosh up your casual attire with the added bonus of keeping you warm.
Make a statement
Pastel chunky bracelet
Clear quartz necklace
The great thing about steering clear of sequins is how much more versatile your party wear becomes. Take this lovely necklace, which will look as brilliant with shorts and a T-shirt on your summer holiday as it will with an LBD over the coming weeks. Get the same vibe but more understated with a chunky bracelet – the Twisted Vintage one is made using reclaimed vintage components.
Hannah Rochell is a fashion features journalist who specialises in writing about – and experiencing – slow, comfortable style and living on her Substack Slowette. This involves everything from exclusively wearing flat shoes and investing heavily in elastic-waist linen trousers, to advocating for dehumidifiers instead of tumble dryers and learning to sew
