How to Accessorize a Sequin Dress

Sequin dresses are some of the boldest and most versatile options for every woman’s wardrobe. Whether you’re searching for the perfect stand-out piece for a holiday, special occasion, or a night out on the town, a sequin dress can surely meet your needs. 

While some women are quick to embrace this bold style, others shy away from it for fear that it might be overwhelming. If it isn’t accessorized right, this can certainly be the case, but when styled properly, it can be dressed up or down to help you achieve a fun and stylish look for any event or occasion. 

Whether you’re wearing a sequin top, skirt, or full dress, choosing the right accessories will help you complete your look. However, you need to be careful when wearing sequins since they’re so bold all on their own. With this style, there can be too much of a good thing, which is why each accessory needs to be chosen carefully. 

When you step out in a sequin dress, the spotlight is sure to be on you. Since sequins are so eye-catching and bold, you can allow the dress to stand out on its own by adding low-key accessories to the rest of your look. This isn’t to say that you can't have fun accessorizing a sequin dress. Read on for styling tips that will help you feel confident your sequin ensemble is appropriately accessorized.

Keep it Simple

When you choose to step out in a sequin dress, its sparkle and shine are enough to make it the focal point of your ensemble. Piling on accessories over it can easily make you look overdressed. When it comes to sequins, it’s crucial to keep the rest of your look simple and understated. Start small and keep in mind that sometimes, the best things come in small packages. 

It’s important to choose accessories in solid colors instead of trying to find ones in matching sequins or rhinestones. You also need to avoid heavy, large jewelry. For example, choose a pair of delicate stud earrings instead of a dramatic chandelier-style pair. A simple necklace with a thin chain and small pendant can work well if you have a scoop, strapless, or V-neck style. However, you should skip the necklace altogether and just go for a simple cocktail ring if your sequin dress has sleeves or a high neckline. Keep in mind that when you’re choosing jewelry pieces to match a sequin dress, avoid gemstones that compete with its sparkle and choose metal instead.

It’s important to shine smartly in a sequin dress. Dresses with sequins can be totally classy when styled right . . . but it all comes down to the accessories. A simple necklace and a couple of tasteful studs might be all you need if your party dresses are bold enough on their own. Start small and remember that sometimes the best things do come in small packages.

Dress it Down

As glam as sequin dresses may be, if you use your accessories right, you can dress one down and transform it into a relaxed look that’s perfect to wear to a casual event like evening happy hour. If you can find casual ways to style your sequin dresses, you can get even more use out of them. 

One of the best accessories for dressing a sequin dress down is a leather or denim jacket. Either one can be used to toughen the look and add a cool edginess to an otherwise formal ensemble. To really turn up the edge, throw on some textured tights and boots. To create a harder version of a luxurious look, wear a pair of statement drop earrings with a fitted leather jacket. If you need to dress down for a business event, pair a sequin dress with a fitted blazer and a pair of cute flats.   

Make it Elegant

When you wear something bold like a sequin dress, the goal is to look striking, but not like a Vegas showgirl. Your accessories can mean the difference between class and trash, so be sure to choose elegant ones. 

When it comes to jewelry, there’s nothing more chic or sophisticated than pearls. If your sequin dress has a high neckline, wear a strand of rope-length pearls with it. If the dress has a scoop, V-neck, or strapless neckline, pair a princess-length pearl necklace or a pearl choker with it. Match a simple pair of pearl stud earrings with it to complete the elegant look. 

Choosing Jewelry

Choosing the right jewelry to accessorize your sequin dress can make or break your look. Follow these tips to choose the best jewelry for your dress. 

Earrings 

If you’re wearing a solid-colored sequin dress or one with a more minimal design, you can probably get away with wearing larger statement earrings. However, if your dress is brightly colored or features an elaborate sequin design, you should keep your earrings sleek and simple. Think diamond studs or skinny drop earrings. 

Necklaces 

When it comes to pairing a necklace with a sequin dress, less is always more. Actually, sequin dresses rarely even need a necklace, especially if you’ve already chosen a stunning pair of earrings to accessorize with.

If you feel your ensemble really needs a necklace, use the neckline of your sequin dress to guide your decision. In most cases, shorter necklaces are ideal. A short solid-colored necklace or a short necklace with a few small stones can be paired with strapless and off-the-shoulder sequin dresses, as well as sequin dresses with sweetheart and straight necklines. If you’re wearing a sequin dress with a V-neck design, you can get away with a slightly longer pendant necklace, but always keep it simple.  Party dresses with v-necklines make it possible to get away with simple, slightly longer pendant necklaces because the deeper the cut in the bodice allows more room for jewelry.

Bracelets 

The “less is more” motif follows for bracelets as with all other accessories for sequin dresses. If you’re set on accessorizing your look with a bracelet, consider the sleeve type. As much as you might want to wear one, bracelets are completely unnecessary if you’re wearing a long-sleeve dress. However, sleeveless and short-sleeve dresses can be accessorized with a small link or charm bracelet, cuff, or bangle.  

When in Doubt, Leave the Accessories Out

It takes a little practice to learn how to accessorize a sequin dress. Don’t be intimidated – just follow the style guide above and try new and different combinations. In most cases, one or two accessories are all your sequin dress will require. Most look good without any accessories at all.