Sequins: a history in three paragraphs
I love a sequin … or several thousand. That said, each of these gorgeous little discs does tend to have a life of its own and isn’t necessarily compliant with the non-patient hand-sewer – like me.
That’s why I love the Trash Chic shop. The TC fairies have done all the hard work for us shoppers to produce a stunning selection of sartorial sequin shimmer. But where do they come from (the sequins, that is; not the fairies)? And why do we need them? Here’s a brief history.
1. Sequins are ancient – literally. They were even found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. In fact, these weren’t any old sequins; they were solid gold. Certainly for a period of time, and always made of metal, these small ‘coins’ showed status and wealth. They could even be used to trade with. These days, they are made from lightweight plastic. But at some point in between very old and very new, they were made from animal parts – actually, some were made from electroplated gelatine. Let’s not venture further there, suffice to say that in the heat, these sequins had a tendency to melt. Yuk!
2. As well as monetary value, sequins also had a spiritual purpose. Apparently, their reflective shimmering quality was responsible for scaring off evil spirits, and occasionally they were sewn onto garments that were worn into war.
3. Even though sequins have appeared in or on clothing for centuries – sometimes acting as a fastening – they really came into fashion prominence when the flapper dress of the 1920s took them to town. The shorter length of these dresses and the decadence associated with the roaring twenties took them beyond history and spirituality into just plain ol’ good-time opulence.
These days, sequins on clothing are pretty much commonplace and can be worn any time. They are lightweight and add a cheeriness to hats, cardis, tops, frocks, trousers, boots, bags … you name it. And the denim/sequin combo is definitely worth experimenting with. If the sun isn’t cheering you up, then a sequin must surely do the trick. But don’t try to spend it. Sadly, that bit of sequin history no longer applies.
Sandra Stafford is a writer, editor and long-time Trash Chic customer.
To view TC’s range of preloved clothing, return to the Shop where you will find a comforting selection of ready-made sequin items.
