A week or two ago, I stumbled across this skirt on a J.Crew outlet sale rack. The plain side of me would typically never consider such a piece, but after seeing Khatu don her sequin shorts for various occasions and Wendy style her sequin mini, I felt inspired to add it to my wardrobe. Since then, I can’t stop reaching for it. You don’t need to have glamorous style like those two ladies to rock the sequin bottoms – I love the look of casual sweaters (waiting patiently for cable crewnecks to arrive) and button-ups juxtaposed against sparkly sequins.
I wore this outfit to a casual holiday party in a cozy setting. It was brisk outside, so I was pleased to discover how well brown tights work with gold and burgundy. For anyone interested in this skirt (style #46626), J.Crew factory just added a nationwide inventory system…, and they now ship to homes for $8. If you call a factory store during a non-busy time, an SA should be able to look up your size in the system. From what I heard, they are now out of 0’s in this but have sizes 2-14. I’m not the biggest fan of J.Crew bell skirt shapes, but the elastic waistband helps me save on alterations. I would’ve preferred a straight up and down mini, but the ones I’ve seen did not fit and sequin alterations would be costly.
Bottom left: Originally, I wanted to do a brighter palette with my mustard top, but the tee was too thin and showed all the lines underneath.
Bottom right: Earlier this week for my dear Nick’s birthday, I wore this skirt yet again with a bow blouse for an extra festive look.
We celebrated Nick’s birthday with a small group of friends at Island Creek Oyster Bar in Kenmore Square – for fans of fresh seafood & interesting cocktails, this is a great place with excellent service. Upon arriving, we were surprised with custom menus:
The waitstaff also brought out 3 rounds of complimentary treats for the birthday boy, who was very pleased:
I usually get their signature lobster pasta with freshly-made noodles, lobster chunks, velvety mushrooms, and pieces of tender braised shortrib – a delish combination!
Surprise!
We then moved to Eastern Standard (next door, under the same management?) for a nightcap:
Couple shots from both nights:
Readers – What do you think of the sequin mini? What would you pair it with?
hi jean! i love this post! my favorite is the mustard sweater with the sequin skirt!
Hi! I love your blog and loved this pairing! I normally don't comment, but I wanted to tell people who are still looking for the skirt…I found an exact look-a-like at Strawberry at the Union Square store in NYC. It has the same color, shape and even the pockets! The best part was it was on sale for $12.99! So for anyone in NYC looking, it'll be there, I got myself one and will be trying out my own holiday outfits too. Thanks for the inspiration!
@Leah I had all my cardigans hung up on those "slim" huggable hangers, thinking it would be ok, and I was horrified to see that they all left hanger bumps on the shoulders. Now I just roll them up and store in a drawer.
@Jen (@CasualChicMom) How funny! The Vegas outlet had so many of these, and I know some fellow bloggers ordered a total of 3 (at least) from that location. I know you're a few inches taller, but this is regular sizing so it must've been designed to be a super mini. I wore a taupe coat over this.
@Megan I am so happy to hear that you were able to find this, for the same good price! The Vegas J.Crew Factory SA's are so nice. I know they helped other bloggers with this same skirt as well : )
Thank you so much everyone for your comments and birthday wishes for Nick!
@Anonymous Thank you! Ideally, brown shoes that blend in with the tights or olive shoes. Even burgandy shoes might work if you're not too concerned about being coordinated : )
@Janice Liao Shiao Aww, I got it for him at the Gap last November. I haven't seen too many similar ones, but I tend to like the mens stuff at the Gap (and occasionally H&M;).
@PinkLeaf Thank you for saying hello!
@lia Hi Lia, I struggle with gifting for the men in my life too. If he loved any of the things you got him previously (which all sound very useful, btw), there's no harm in repeats, right? I always give my younger brother clothing as well. A nice suit, some dress shirts/pants for internships, shoes (does he like shoes like the Clarks Mali shoe that Nick loves?) or a Northface fleece is on my list for him.
@Kristin It will definitely be harder past the holidays, but fellow blogger Khatu rocks her gold sequin shorts year-round, so I feel inspired.
@~~~~~~ I don't have to many tips, other than: handwash stockings, store them rolled up, always keep your nails short and trim to handle stockings, and also more dense or opaque stockings tend to rip less easily. I also like stockings with more nylon content, as my regular fabric ones get pilly after a few wears.
@Anonymous @Anonymous Hi there, it was just my typical ole Rimmel Bordeaux lipstick that 's available at ulta beauty or on Amazon. I apply a layer (and it's super dark), rub my lips together, then I blot it with a paper towel to absorb off some of the darkness, and re-apply in some areas if needed. To anon – I won't be doing a holiday lipcolor post because this is the only one I've been using! I'm a creature of habit…
hi jean! what shoes would you wear with your mustard sequin outfit? i love the sweater pairings. you look gorgeous as always.
Jean
I love Nicks military sweater. Do u have info on it…not for me but the mr. Thanks
Would you mind telling us what blush and lipstick you used?
Hi Jean, you look lovely in your sequin skirt! I especially like it paired with the burgundy cardigan and brown tights. I think it would also look great with a shrunken black leather jacket, black tights and heels, and either a black or gold-toned turtleneck sweater. This is my first time commenting, but I have loved your blog for since discovering it last fall!
****love****
I'm a sequin addict, so I adore you making the sparkle day appropriate. Happy belated to your BF too!
Love the sequin mini! I'm actually pretty envious you managed to score that at the outlet because I've had my eye on it since it came out last year (I think)! I love the colours you've paired it with. I'd love to see it with a bolder colour like black or navy, and I think it'd look lovely paired with a crisp white!
Happy belated to Nick as well – that personalized drink menu is such a nice touch!
Hope you have a great week Jean!
x
Jen
Love the sequin skirt – especially with the brown tights! It's a great holiday outfit.
Any chance of Nick doing a gift guide for guys this year? My younger brother is begging me to pick out some clothing for him (he's in college now and traditionally I buy him something that's more fashionable/classier than what he normally wears) and I'm all out of ideas. It was a sweater and scarf last year, and over the years I've gotten him polos, dress socks and shoes, a blazer, cologne… I'm out of ideas! I have no problem doing repeats, but nothing's happened to catch my eye yet.
If anyone comes across this skirt, I'd love to buy it. I called5 stores with no luck 🙁 email me kathryn27@gmail.com
Ooo! You did such a great job styling this! I think it's the perfect holiday bling for you.
I'm struggling in the decision of whether or not to buy a piece like this right now – they're so great for the season but can I really get any use out of it beyond the month of December?
I love it! It's just the right touch of fancy and looks like such a versatile mini for one that's so glittery. I'm inspired to wear more collared shirts. 🙂
I want a sequin skirt now too! lol But in black, that way I could add "glam" to anything =) But I like it with the red or pink. It might look nice paired with blue also.
You guys are so cute! Tell Nick Happy Birthday! ;D
I am a new fan of yours, though I am not petite (rather the opposite- I am tall), I find everything you share very informative and useful. I have a request for a blog post/youtube video. Could you give tips on how to find the right stockings, stockings care and how to prolong their wear? Thank you for your blog posts and keeping me more fashionable:D
I love the pairing of colours, the pairing of metallic festive material with the casual wool one on top, and the pop of color given by the red shoes ! That rocks !
I like the skirt pairing with the mustard sweater or tied blouse much better than the cardigan. I thought the tucked and folded up bottom of the cardigan made you look a bit frumpy and everything so buttoned up made you look younger, kind of like a school girl (sorry!). The other pairings looked great though. I think the mustard sweater worked better simply because there was no line of buttons down the front, the collar of the blouse was more relaxed, and your sleeves were rolled a bit. You and Nick look great though!
that pasta looks delicious, hehe!
i love the mini! i have a golden mini from h&m; (i liked it so much i bought the shift dress version too) – in the summer i wear it with ballet pumps & a man-sized blue/white striped shirt half tucked in. Not sure how to wear it for winter though..
PS i wear the sequin dress with black woollen tights in winter but i'm always paranoid the sequins are going to snag the tights!
Katie x
love the different ways you styled this skirt! i didn`t think it would be as versatile as you proved it to be!
That's a beautiful color combo! You and Nick are very cute : )
you look fabulous! I will be searching for a skirt now too and I like the bow-shirt with the skirt.
I've been searching for the perfect sequin item to add to my closet all season…this skirt is adorable! I love how you paired it in both outfits.
On another note, that lobster dish sounds seriously AH-mazing. I'm starving now!
What a good looking couple!
When I saw the sequin skirt on the website I wanted it. But I'm not daring enough for a sequin skirt yet. It looks amazing on you paired with the bow top.
I'm new to all this blogging stuff but wanted to say that I love your site and style! That skirt looks so cute on you and I actually really like the Target tights that I bought too. =)
You look really cute. Happy birthday, Nick.
Vic. Secret catalog also has some sequin skirts right now. A size 0 is listed as a 24" waist and 34" hips. Some minis are straight-style. http://search2.victoriassecret.com/?q=sequin+skirts
I'm a sucker for sequins! Love how you've been wearing such a beautiful red shade of lipstick recently. I can't really pull it off lately – since my skin is so uneven it takes a while to make sure no splotches or dark eye circles are showing – I read that it's important to make sure skin is even otherwise one can look a bit sallow, tired or off when wearing the red lipstick.
Love the pics of you and Nick – so adorable!
Love the way you toned down the sequins. Lovely outfit!
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