https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:23:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291542 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:08:31 +0000 Angie 2291542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Ophelia,</b> you are eloquent and said that perfectly. Thank you :)&nbsp;</p> <p>I saw a National Geographic documentary 5/6 years ago about the very unsustainable and unethical tanning process in India. It was a mind blow, and most of the world's leather tanning occurred in India &nbsp;then. That has since changed with leather tanning occuring in China, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, and parts of the US now. It's my hope that this process becomes more and more eco friendly and ethical, like many more of the manufacturing processes have become.</p> <p><b>Rachy,</b> I think <b>Joy</b> means putting certain items into a mesh bag when you wash them in the machine.</p> <p><b>Cardiff Girl, </b>you are&nbsp;right! There are sequins all over the High Street and M&amp;S can't keep their sequin items in stock. <b>Carla,</b> on that note, I don't think sequins will be banned any time soon.&nbsp;<b></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291506 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:27:22 +0000 Vildy 2291506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been such an interesting informative thread. I'm shocked, shocked to hear that sacred cows are driven across a border so they can be slaughtered.&nbsp; I don't think either sequins, leather, fur purchases will die out just because they disappear from the runway.&nbsp; It's like the Biblical account of the generation that had to die out before the slave mentality could die out.&nbsp; Too many folks have grown up wanting and wearing these things.&nbsp; Though I suppose the price of used items will be driven up. I do remember a younger woman making a point of coming up to me at a Christmas function at my kid's elementary school (he's 35) on a bitter cold night and chastising me for wearing an old fur coat.&nbsp; Told her straight away that the animals died long before either of us were born -&nbsp; my college roommate had found it on top of a trash pile&nbsp; next door on pickup day.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291504 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 08:10:48 +0000 rachylou 2291504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve never heard of Guppies Friends bags, Joy. What are they? How do they work? How did you learn about them? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291494 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:31:01 +0000 Anonymous 2291494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I first heard about the glitter issue about a year ago when it was found in the water and food supply in very secuded areas of national parks. &nbsp;I have bought two Guppies Friend bags for washing anything with polyester in it. &nbsp;Third includes my granddaughters fancy dresses which she loves. &nbsp;Third should be " this". &nbsp;My old computer is difficult . I avoid buying anything made of plastic. &nbsp;I lived in the days before plastic. &nbsp; Ilk came in glass bottles. &nbsp;Cottage cheese was distributed in reusable colored aluminum bowls and drinking glasses. &nbsp;I sometimes wonder how the pioneers made it across the country with no plastic. &nbsp;We had no plastic toys. &nbsp;Milkweed down filled most of my dolls that were made from discarded socks. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291489 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:02:31 +0000 ophelia 2291489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie I agree. A diffused &amp; diverse focus on environmental issues is likely a good thing overall even though perspectives will collide, as it means individuals &amp; groups focus on one issue &amp; others on other issues; hopefully less will slip through the cracks. Some will research labor abuses, others plastics, others on air pollutants, &amp; some on the animals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291487 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 23:55:47 +0000 ophelia 2291487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A note on leather—most leather is coming from a variety of unknown animals in China &amp; ironically, India. (Cows in India are driven into Pakistan for slaughter as they can’t legally be killed in India. Illegal slaughter does happen there though.) There isn’t much sustainable tanning going on. There also isn’t a way to know where leather comes from, i.e. “made in Italy” only means the item was created there, not that leather is from an animal in Italy. China has no animal welfare laws. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291469 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 21:22:35 +0000 Carla 2291469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I wonder if&nbsp;other forms of embellishment might take the place of sequins, but recognize in a world where time=$ that things like embroidery, appliqué, eyelet, and other forms of fabric manipulation would make a garment more costly. &nbsp; However, if celebrities and designers eschew sparkles at the couture level and for special occasion garments, would there be a trickledown of the popularity of these techniques to ready to wear, and thus new trends established?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b></b></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291468 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 21:16:30 +0000 Style Fan 2291468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was not aware of the sequin and glitter issue.&nbsp; But I don't wear garments with these decorations.&nbsp; As others have said, there are no ideal solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur/page/2#post-2291465 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:54:46 +0000 Angie 2291465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Ophelia</b>, I hear you on "the bridge too far" sacrifice. I'll hold on to my optimism for the both of us :)</p> <p>As <b>Gaylene</b>&nbsp;suggests and I've shared over and over again, there are not ideal solutions. Personally, I don't see there being any in my lifetime (<b>Ophelia -</b> there's my less optimistic side). Almost every sustainable and ethical wardrobe decision is compromised in some way. The socio and economic implications are staggering and very complex. You simply have to pick a side and run with it. Do what you can manage and feels right to you.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291464 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:54:16 +0000 JAileen 2291464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I said, I wear leather. &nbsp;I don’t eat beef, though. &nbsp;I don’t&nbsp;want faux leather because of the plastic. &nbsp;And not just what happens to it later, but that it’s made out of oil and all that that entails. &nbsp;If fake leather is a better overall solution than real leather, I would like to know. &nbsp; Please.</p> <p> <div>I&nbsp;visited a tannery once, in Mexico. &nbsp;I don’t remember the circumstances. &nbsp;It was the most revolting thing I’ve ever seen or smelled. &nbsp;Also, I was reminded of The Jungle (by Upton Sinclair).<br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291459 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:04:51 +0000 Gaylene 2291459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ditto to everything <b><i>Jules</i></b> said!</p> <p> <div>Cowhide leather is a by-product of the meat industry and, unless everyone on the planet becomes vegan, it will either be used or thrown in the garbage. As long as the tanning is done in an environmentally sensitive way, I can’t see why using a bio-degradable, waste product is less socially responsible than wearing an industrial petroleum product like most of &nbsp;“vegan” leather found in the shops these days.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>As Jules says, scarcity does make us value things. Responsibly tanned cowhide leather isn’t inexpensive, but plastic imitations of it can be manufactured in huge volumes at a very low price point. Attaching embellishments to garments by hand is time consuming and costly, while applying yards of plastic sequins by machines is cheap. Leather will eventually decompose, but “vegan” plastic leather and those yards of sparkling plastic sequins are likely to have a much longer lifespan than its wearers. Maybe if “vegan” leather was rarer and sequined party wear was done by hand, I could be more convinced of its place in my closet.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I respect the feelings of those who prefer to practice a vegan lifestyle, but, as someone who is an omnivore, I’m not much for bandwagons on either side.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291442 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:18:08 +0000 ophelia 2291442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I hope you’re right, but I suspect that limiting or forgoing purchases due to those reasons is a sacrifice that is “a bridge too far” for most consumers to make. Then again, you’re an optimist, &amp; I’m….not. : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291437 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 14:39:16 +0000 Ginger 2291437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of sequin material is machine-attached. Of course it depends on the particular design but all of the modern sequin stuff that I've had (dance costumes) and sequined material I've seen in stores are clearly machine-applied.&nbsp;FWIW, be careful with true vintage sequins. The older ones are gelatin and will dissolve when washed, as some people have found to their sadness! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291429 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 13:41:26 +0000 Jules 2291429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of things became cheapened/unappealing to me when my kids were young. Things that used to be special/rare/precious are very commonplace in their lives now such that they don’t value them the way I did. Their young girlhood also coincided with these embellishments having a trendy moment so often things like sparkly shoes just looked juvenile to me. Having wayward sparkles all over my house (and on occasion even stuck to my face!) made me hate them even before the environmental warnings came out (and I could clearly make the connection to how they would also easily spread in nature).<br /> I get the comparison to with fur and leather on a societal opinion level but I see a huge difference between eg. a traditional indigenous fur trade and mass market sequinned clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291419 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 11:50:57 +0000 Staysfit 2291419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good to know. The first of the three R’s and probably the most effective is Reduce. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291406 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 05:23:07 +0000 Gaylene 2291406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, the problem with mass market sequined fashion is not so much the plastic content (after all most “vegan” leather is actually a non-biodegradable petroleum product), as is the probable conditions under which sequins are attached to fast fashion, mass-market garments. Attaching sequins is handwork and handwork is expensive if it’s done under regulated conditions. Mass market sequined garments raise a lot of questions in my mind, none of them festive… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291403 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 05:12:01 +0000 rachylou 2291403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glitter I’d heard about and confess promptly forgot. Sequins I never considered, but it’s logical. I don’t do sequins because I always cut myself on them, and I don’t do glitter because it does always fall off and leave bald spots. I suspect labour costs are already doing sequins and beading in… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291394 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 03:05:50 +0000 Jenni NZ 2291394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Indeed cjh I feel the same. In NZ one of our designer hand bag companies uses deer leather from venison farms for the handbags.<br /> And interestingly re fur, the rabbit is a major major pest here and trapped to control numbers so a brand called Lapin has started using the fur. The woman was interviewed and said she would find something else to do when the rabbit was no longer a pest, but she didn’t see that being any time soon. The Australian possum is a terrible pest here too and the fur is used for clothing also, same situation. Neither of these is killed for their fur, it is to manage pest numbers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291393 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 02:48:30 +0000 cjh 2291393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the information on something new to me. This is something that wouldn’t impact my wardrobe much, but something that I will think about in the future.</p> <p>Also, as to the leather goods issue, is it something a bit different from furs? After all, furs are most often taken from animals raised purposely for that. Leather for shoes and bags, I would think, comes from skins taken from meat animals, though there is the processing to consider. But what would be done with the skins if not made into leather goods? If animals raised for meat become obsolete, that might be different? I’m just curious and really haven’t researched this yet, so just pondering aspects of it aloud. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291389 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 02:39:18 +0000 Jaime 2291389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think sequins have the emotional resonance of fur, and if anything they look more and more popular to me. I am not a huge sequins person by nature, but am not sure they are worse than other plastics in our clothing. I do suspect if they can make sustainable mushroom leather they can make less dangerous sequins and I hope a new generation of textile scientists are working on this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291382 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:39:32 +0000 Janet 2291382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hadn't heard this either, but it makes sense when put in the environmental context. I only have a couple of sequinned items, and I'm not going to toss them out because of this, but it's not something I seek out a lot anyway. It's nice to have a little sparkle at the holidays. I have a sequin blazer I bought three years ago before the pandemic and have never had a chance to wear it. Also a sequin bomber, also not worn yet. Both were purchased off-season and on deep discount. I'll happily wear them for a festive occasion, for now. When activists start throwing paint on sequin-wearers, like they started doing with fur, I'll definitely reconsider. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291369 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 23:02:29 +0000 Anonymous 2291369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm trying to move away from plastic as much as possible, so definitely sequins included! TBH though I hate the way they feel :/ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291365 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 22:58:06 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2291365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hadn’t heard about sequins, either. Thanks for posting this. I had heard that the EU is pushing for clothing in general to be made of recyclable materials. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291354 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 22:05:47 +0000 Suz 2291354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a good question, <b>Carla.</b> I had been wondering about this myself as I knew they were environmentally unfriendly. I agree with <b>Barbara Diane</b> that sequins seem ubiquitous in some lines this year -- I suppose it is the hope of actual parties and dressing up after several years of none of it.&nbsp;</p> <p>How fascinating, <b>Vildy,</b> to hear about the originals! And I do hope they can come up with environmentally friendlier options.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have one sequinned camisole, bought some years ago. And I have tops with metallic thread, which I guess is different but may be made from a similar process to glitter, I don't know.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291353 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 22:00:08 +0000 Dee 2291353@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too wasn’t paying much attention to such issues, but I’m really glad that these companies have decided to do this and I hope that many more will follow suit. I think as more people are made aware of the problems with sequins and glitter in our environment, there will be a backlash to using and wearing them, they just aren’t necessary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291351 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 21:56:56 +0000 Barbara Diane 2291351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn’t know about sequins. They seem much more prevalent in stores this year-they seem to be having a moment. I almost had my 25+ year old dress altered for a fancy event this year but decided it would probably cost more than a new one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291346 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 21:21:54 +0000 JAileen 2291346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn’t know there were issues with sequins. &nbsp;Thanks for letting us know. &nbsp;I took a donated mink coat a few weeks ago to the charity shop where I’ve volunteered for years. &nbsp;Looking at it I was reminded of the mink I’ve seen along the river that runs through our town. &nbsp;Because of them, I could not wear a mink coat. &nbsp;Yet I wear leather shoes. &nbsp;Yes, I’m a hypocrite. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291333 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:14:55 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2291333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for bringing this up. I’d never considered it. Vildly, thanks for those articles too. Beetles wings are an amazing idea. Then again, so is silk.<br /> Helena, i appreciate you mentioning labor conditions. Altogether, you’ve given me reason not to buy sequins—although I can’t exactly claim a boycott of something I don’t think I’ve ever owned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291331 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:10:59 +0000 Cardiff girl 2291331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting.A UK Blogger l follow(midlife chic)who has a background in retail said last year indicated that uk retailers were phasing sequins out but whilst highlighting Boden for their stance all her comments pointed out just how prevalent sequins are on the British high street at the moment.In fact l can’t remember seeing quite so much sequinned stuff before .Apparently it sells well so retailers ,who are abit desperate at the moment due to the economic situation,will do what it takes to shift stuff regardless of other considerations.<div>I personally have two sequinned items that are years old and l shall continue to wear them and not pass judgement on others who do too but &nbsp; It’s definitely something to be aware of when buying new things.If they can’t sell it,they won’t stock it.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-sequins-and-glitter-going-the-same-way-as-fur#post-2291320 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:59:43 +0000 Jenni NZ 2291320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t think I was aware of this. I feel pretty hopeless about the contribution fashion is making to destroying the planet already when I look at the sheer number of garments made. And I don’t think enough people are trying to buy less. There was an article in our main newspaper this week about a brand dumping sample shoes into a skip.<br /> I will keep on with my own attempts to purchase judiciously- already have some sequinned items but from years ago.<br /> I feel with what the world has been through since 2020 it is no surprise that people want a bit of sparkle in their lives so the sale of such garments is increasing. </p>