How to Wear Sequins to the Office, According to One Bazaar Editor

With “wrong place, right time” dressing all over the runways, I decided to try out some looks in my every day life. I mean, who doesn’t want to wear sequins on a cloudy day to the office, or track pants with a tuxedo jacket to a cocktail party? Below, I styled out seven ways to approach the trend.

A Duffle Coat with Paillette Sequins

Duffle coats are all the rage—who doesn’t love an all-weather zip-up? Mix your functional outerwear with a skirt covered in paillette sequins, which almost seem to have a life of their own, catching the light for just the right amount of shine. Balance the look with flat tall boots, and voila: You’re ready to commute to the office and go for drinks after work (in any terrain).

Altuzarra Bailey Herringbone Virgin Wool Coat

Lafayette 148 New York Hand-Placed Paillette Shift Dress

Tory Sport Double-Faced Canvas Cropped Jacket

Now 42% Off

Lafayette 148 New York Embellished Pencil Skirt

Loeffler Randall Lillian Tall Boot

A Going-Out Top with Jeans

Party tops are the statement wardrobe staple that keeps on giving. Try J.Crew’s comfortable, glistening long-sleeved t-shirt with vintage wash jeans for a party, or pair an embellished top or wrap sweater (Bode’s is a work of art) with white denim for an elevated office outfit.

Tory Burch Embellished Lamé Slip Top

The Only Jane The Georgia Jean in Vintage Blue

BODE Sheer Fete Appliquéd Mesh Blouse

Mango High-waist Balloon Jeans

J.Crew Heavy Jersey Long-sleeve T-shirt with Paillette Embellishment

Now 10% Off

An Oversized Shirt with a Sequin Pencil Skirt

Trade your wool pencil skirt for a version with more shine. Off-set the glitter with a classic oversized poplin button-down, throw your favorite office sweater around your neck, and add a tall boot for the full effect. The silhouette is professional, but the skirt adds a touch of whimsy.

Toteme Organic Cotton-poplin Shirt

Staud Casey Sequin Maxi Skirt

Cos Crewneck Gray Sweater

Dries Van Noten 75 Leather Knee-high Boots

A.L.C. Monroe Soft Sequin Skirt

A Denim Jacket and a Feather Dress

Your favorite boxy white t-shirt and oversized jean jacket are the perfect pieces for balancing out an over-the-top dress. This style is the ultimate cool-girl going-out look, and allows you to wear staple pieces that make you feel comfortable in your skin.

Toteme Cotton jersey T-shirt

Rachel Gilbert Linc Mini Dress with Feather Trim

RE/DONE Mel Trucker Jacket

Miu Miu Stretch Cady Skirt with Feathers

Khaite Bobbi Metallic Eel Shoulder Bag

Sporty Pants with a Tuxedo Jacket

Going to back-to-back holiday parties counts as a sport, so you might as well wear some athletic attire. Update an otherwise traditional look by pairing a tuxedo jacket with track pants from Alo. (This is also good Girl Math, if you calculate wears per dollar.) I also dared to try cropped leggings with an oversized tuxedo jacket, and it turns out to be a chic way to change up any tailored look. Pro tip: To make this look feel properly dressed up, add all the fixings of a traditional tuxedo ensemble, like a shiny clutch and a velvet or textured scarf.

Polo Ralph Lauren Wool Double-Breasted Blazer

Wales Bonner Tide Track Pants

Now 20% Off

Khaite Raymond Cropped Satin Blazer

Now 40% Off

Manolo Blahnik Carolyn 50 Silver Slingback Pumps

Now 36% Off

Gap High Rise Power Cropped Leggings

Now 52% Off

Layered Sweaters with a Sparkling Dress

I’m constantly playing with sweater layers. Whether it’s wearing one sweater and tying a matching one around my neck or waist or adding a turtleneck under a V-neck sweater, there are so many ways to make otherwise subdued knitwear feel more dynamic. Lean into a playful feel by trying a sequin dress or skirts underneath your layers. For the office, a canvas bag adds another texture, complimenting the look nicely.

Mango Long-sleeve Knitted Sweater

Aritzia Cashmere Relaxed Crew Sweater

SIMKHAI Bex Sequined Tank Maxi Dress

Festive Separates for the Office

Something about a dramatic scarf or lightweight coat worn indoors at the office feels so fun. Shearling and tinsel add just the right amount of spark to otherwise traditional staples. Throw on a Mary Jane in velvet, or go with a pencil slip skirt in the season’s It burgundy shade to complete the look.

J.Crew Collection textured metallic sweater-coat

Leset Margo cotton-jersey T-shirt

J.Crew Gwyneth lace-trim slip skirt in textured satin

Vibi Venezia Mary Jane Velvet Ballet Flats

Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen is Harper’s Bazaar’s Senior Fashion & Accessories Editor. Outside of the office she can be found downtown with her twin sister, figure skating somewhere or on the hunt for the perfect striped top. Follow her on Instagram @jaclynalexandra