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As I was flipping through a magazine, I happened upon a spread touting advantages of sequins. Years ago, I remember watching a television show where a wardrobe mistress advised a young starlet to always grab dresses with sequins if she can, because they’d “grab” the lights and call attention to her. (Doesn’t a starlet already get enough attention?) Oh well, here is what I’ve discovered on a treasure hunt of how the average woman can make sequins work for her:

First, on the photo spread I looked at, all 5 of the celebrities were wearing sequined tops with jeans. So, the first myth that is dispelled is that sequins are only for formal occasions and found on long evening gowns. Sequins, 80% of the time, were found as the sole material comprising jackets and in the last case, on a tunics, as trim on neck, sleep and hem. Two of the jackets had ¾ length sleeves and the other two boasted short sleeves. Not surprisingly, all jackets had only one point of connection-two a bit higher than the belly button, one at the cleavage area, and one at the neck. These ties allow the wearer to have some control while minimizing any distractions or gaps between buttons. (Come to think of it, the one sequined jacket I own has no buttons; I bought it because it resembled the one Madonna wore in “Who’s That Girl?”)

One famous model wore nothing under her jacket (exposing her belly button) but the other three actresses wore plain white silky or satiny tops underneath theirs. Almost all sequins were the traditional gold or silver, but one jacket was light pink, and worn with a matching pink belt. This article was a reminder a little bit of sequins goes a long way, and it’s important to downplay other items worn with them.

The ads that accompanied this article also showed an item that I would wear on a normal night out: When I wished to be dressy without feeling too over the top, a halter that added a tie around the hem to offset the neck tie, and a small strip of sequins that stretched from under the arms up onto the neck in a triangle shape would fit the bill. It seemed sophisticated and understated, yet with just enough glitter for eye-catching appeal.

Do you own anything with sequins? Someone gave me a long scarf trimmed with a single strip of sequins, and although its use has been limited, it’s been just the thing for a few social events where a touch of glamour was needed. Plus, I couldn’t resist buying a black collar (to wear over a black sweater) that was covered with beads, embroidery and, of course, sequins. I probably have not worn it more than a handful of times, but it’s one of those items around which one can plan an entire outfit. I also have a small, white evening bag from my high school prom that was once saturated with sequins and pearls. Now there is at last one bald spot, but I can’t bring myself to throw it away. That’s one detriment of sequins-they rarely stay adhered, even if the owner treats them with tender loving care never even washes them. Two years back, my daughter bought a black hoodie that had its hood trimmed with a strip of silver sequins. Let me say that I rarely had trouble finding her in the crowds at a mall; that little bit of glitz carried a greater distance than one could imagine. Unfortunately, as months went on, more and more were washed off in the laundry, but it still has enough not to warrant retirement just yet.

I believe there were even sequins on the hat and veil I wore for my wedding. If there are circumstances in which sequins are meant to be viewed, it’s candlelight and spotlights-think dance recitals with sequins on tutus, jazz tank tops, stretching over modern dance unitards, and gracing top hats in tap numbers. Sequins aren’t something a gal would want to wear daily because they cry out for special occasions. Every gal needs to feel like a Vegas showgirl at some time.