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How to tame your inner magpie?

nemosmom

Veteran

Apologies for being a forum hog today... Angie's post about Holiday stuff being everywhere rang true for me when I had to return some housewears to the mall today. Every store is filled with all things shiny and sparkly! It is difficult to sit on my wallet and not want to buy all the velvet, rhinestones, sequins, and iridescent goodies adorning the mannequins!!

How do you keep from filling your closets with a million sparkly things this time of year? Do you wait until you have a party or event to shop for? Do you allow yourself a party piece (or a few) every year?

Shopping

48 replies

Latest reply was from cheryl

Anonymous

My inner Magpie goes crazy during the Holiday Season. I want everything! I am allowed one or two special Christmas items every single year! Selection used to be based on parties. Parties are rare and very informal now. I buy what makes me happy. I buy within a budget though!

Marilyn

Veteran

LOL......I have THESE in my shopping cart. They seem highly impractical and possibly not even comfortable. But they're a stretchy pull on, not terribly expensive, something fun to pair with more dressed down items. This little dude is sitting on my shoulder telling me I should order them...."what if they're great and you don't even try". I have no events or parties. They just look fun!

Mini Flared Sequin Leggings

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Joy

Veteran

What Sterling said. I think of how often I will probably wear something and what my needs really are. Sometimes the holiday season is fairly warm so a sweater that is not really warm or a pretty scarf, things that can dress up jeans or other casual pieces. The weight of a .long sleeved tee with a graphic design that can be worn under a jacket or blazer would be perfect. I would love some velvet to style casually, but may wear my taupe velvet blazer with white jeans.

bj1111

Veteran

not. possible.

slim cat

Veteran

I'll probably just get jewelry - got earrings already . I've one "disco" top with fringe and sequins that "comes out" only in holiday season.
Velvet pants will probably do me in ( right shape/budget ). Otherwise - resist/look on-line/put in a bag/delete..

nemosmom

Veteran

Marilyn - those ARE fun! I would worry my thigh rub would knock off all the sequins and I would be left with bald pants!

Sal

Veteran

I do regularly update my "occasion wear" capsule - one to two pieces every year I guess. Last year I added a black lace dress and black heels, this year it is a summer dress (yet to arrive) - and it is totally unneeded but I fell for it big time!

I think it is keeping a couple of options available, and then realistically thinking about what lies ahead. For you in the US in winter I am guessing indoor parties, maybe school events etc.. I could see velvet pants looking wonderful on you....

I do wear my occasion wear stuff - it does not get to 30 wears - but it does get regular use. I also try not to look too hard at trends but pieces that I will still like in 5-10 years time.

I don't really hand these pieces on either - I am keeping them for some future person who might love them!

unfrumped

Veteran

I have trouble resisting, too, since I have an active “ imaginary lifestyle “. I really can’t make use of very many shiny items per year. And often after the fact I felt some were too meh quality or too “ casual glitz” that is really not my style.
I am working toward having most of the sparkle and shine in accessories, with main items in good or luxe fabrics-silk, wool, lace. I still think it is useful to have a bit of “ washable sparkle”- maybe a top or two - that are easy for
holiday travel or gatherings with little sticky hands.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

sigh,l LOVE sequins but have a decidedly non sequin lifestyle,it’s a true sorrow in my life .l resist as I have absolutely no need for any more occasion wear but it’s so hard at this time of year when the shops are full of sparkly things.

Helena

Veteran

I think the holidays is the perfect time to indulge your inner magpie! Maybe allow yourself a piece or two ... Even if you don't have events, why can't dinner with your family be an event; get them all to dress up! If you do have events, even better! And of course some sparkles for the tree and the dining table display never hurt

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You know, I tend to stuff down my inner magpie a little too much. So much that when I do have some festive thing to attend, I realize I have no clothing items that are sparkly and I have to rely on jewelry and accessories to do the work.

I guess that’s part of what made me get that crazy sequin duster last week. LOL

LaPed

Veteran

For me, when it comes to holiday dressing, sparkle and shine is often the missing piece of the puzzle. So I treat sparkle-shopping like a puzzle, looking for the perfect piece to add a little oomph to my planned party outfits. Last year I added glittery shoes. The year before, it was sheer black tights with a silver back-seam. This year, I think I might add a luxe fuzzy topper of some sort.

That said, I think the magpie gene skipped me! I've never owned a rhinestone in my life. I appreciate, in an abstract sort of way, that my outfit is more festive and fun once I add the sparkle, but sparkle on the rack doesn't really catch my eye. Tartan and fair isle, on the other hand, I find very hard to resist this time of year. But I have enough plaids and knits to last me a looong time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is 2019, and you can wear sparkle and shine ANY time and in ANY setting. Camp and paint the house in sparkle if you want to. Why not!

Nemosmom, treat your magpie gene - especially if it's signature.

Kate

Veteran

I think the magpie gene pretty much skipped me. But I did get I want all the beautiful wool gene in abundance!

Anonymous

I don’t tame my inner magpie, I like pandering to it.

Anonymous

I think I've finally learned my lesson about magpieing-and just buy fun things I can also wear to work. Velvet-yes, full on sequins-no.

Sal

Veteran

I agree with La Pedestrienne - a small accessory can be the way to go as well.

It is one challenge with our seasons here - holiday season is midsummer and often parties are outside and daylight. I wear sequins during the day but there is something more special about them in the night time.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t think I tame it, I just indulge it judiciously and with items I hope I can use more than once.

Roxanna

Veteran

I was just about to write this post! I love all the sparkle and glitter and statement pieces that come out this season... andBecause I lead a fairly dressy lifestyle with formal occasions, I tend to rationalize it to myself. but I have to be careful in what I purchase because statement pieces, as much as I love them, don’t get worn as much and may languish in my closet. I’m finding it so hard this year to keep myself in check!

rachylou

Veteran

I allow myself two holiday outfits a year now... but the problem is, I never let go of any. I need to purge again.

Kathie

Veteran

I’ve been contemplating the Boden Mabel sweater all day! I don’t have much of an inner magpie, but I do allow myself lots of try-ons, and keep my standards high. It’s amazing the number of items that seem like a good idea, but are an immediate “no” when I put them on. I’ve learned to enjoy my imaginary life for a few minutes in the dressing room, and then think about whether I would actually use an item.

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Boden Mabel Metallic Bishop Sleeve Sweater

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Bonnie

Veteran

I see the holiday season as a wonderful opportunity to wear my sparkly items. I added a sparkly skirt this year, last year I got a sparkly turtleneck, and the year before I got two large crystal necklaces. My collection is not large but I'm looking forward to wearing them.

nemosmom

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Sterling - I have far fewer parties to shop for these days, too. And, parties these days are much more conservative than those in the past. Sigh. Staying on budget is key!

Marilyn - I keep going back to your pants find... they are pretty great. I could see them being dressed down easily with a tee and sneakers! Let us know if you get them - even just to try...

Slimcat - your disco top sounds amazing!

Sal - I was just thinking about velvet pants.... I found some at Jcrew that were gorgeous, but they are sold out in my size. Comfy AND fancy? Yes, please! Let's see the dress you ordered!

unfrumped - washable sparkle is a great idea! I like your approach of sticking to accessories... they don't take up much space so that's a bonus!

cardiffgirl - yes! so many tempting things....

torontogirl - maybe a piece or two isn't the end of the world... and a glittery, festive table could be just the thing! Great idea! *googles sequined napkin rings*

Janet - that sequined duster is gorgeous on you! Did you keep it?

LaPed - I like your puzzle approach. Maybe it's not dissimilar from building a color capsule. One sparkly piece across each category might just do the trick. I am also a sucker for plaid and tartan (especially in flannel) this time of year. Must. Resist!

Angie - that's the rub - it's not part of my signature and it isn't practical for my lifestyle, but it's SOOOO PRETTY!

Kate - yes! Especially cashmere!

Jenna - HA!

Suntiger - velvet is great - AND practical!

Jenni and Roxana - yes! Getting wears out of a piece is key. How do you dust sequins??

Rachy - Ha! Yes! But it can be hard to let them go....

Kathie - that's a great strategy!

Bonnie - I love your new skirt! Such a beautiful piece on you!

Cee

Veteran

My inner magpie chases people on bikes down the street pecking them repeatedly on the back of the head.

...Restraining orders be damned !!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Maybe it's your not so subtle shadow style, Nemosmom

Christina F.

Veteran

I can't tame my magpie. That said, I'm usually able to talk myself out of lots of sequins since I know I'll inevitably be shedding them. I am able to avoid all the party clothes that don't really cover you up (little sequined dresses etc), since I live in the city and don't take cabs everywhere.

Other holiday stuff though, like velvet, fair isle, and plaid? And sweaters with reindeer on them? A big weakness of mine.

Anonymous

I've stuffed down my inner magpie too , to the point where I no longer have any true 'holiday" special pieces. I used to own lots of them. For me though, this is a good thing. No one hosts special holiday parties anymore - except me - so I don't need those kinds of things in my wardrobe. I find that it's a slippery slope too, where you buy one great top (for example) , but then *need* new footwear, new jewellery, new makeup, new pants, etc etc and before you know it......

Last year I adopted an interesting (to me, anyway) strategy where I bought a really fun/*fancy* sweatshirt in navy with navy chiffon and velvet trimmed sleeves. I wore that thing EVERYWHERE between November and January , and it paid for itself easily. It wasn't so dressy that it looked out of place at a casual pub, and it worked perfectly well for Christmas dinner and NYE too, with some *fancy* earrings and dark navy nails. And I wore this sweatshirt with jeans to every single event. Washable, not too expensive, yet really pretty and unique looking. This year, it's been relegated to everyday wear.

That said, I still don't know what to wear to my own party at the end of this month.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oops! I almost forgot— I have two other sparkly magpie things. But somehow I find them easier to justify in darker colors, clearly.

This top from a couple of years ago works to dress up a pair of jeans for a holiday party. I wish it were looser in the hip though — it hugs me there where I wish it skimmed instead. Sigh.

And this fun little clutch has the kind of sequins that are silver if you brush them one way and blue the other. I still enjoy that even though it was a big trend a couple of years back.

Shimmer Foldover Clutch

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Trouvé Sequin Bell Sleeve Top

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KikiG

Veteran

I got--I think last year--a navy top from Boden with subtle sparkle, and it satisfies entirely my "cute sparkly casual at home or for a casual holiday do" need, and I successfully talked myself out of the adorable navy leopard BR sweater highlighted yesterday by Angie as a result. I once had a velvet coat I adored, and am completely open to velvet, but as a shorter, rounder person with a bust, velvet is a magnifier and I don't often like myself in it. I've got two cocktail dresses, so I'm set for that event need. Before that, I was in the trap Janet describes, where you don't buy it because you don't "do that," (get dressed up) and then you don't "do that" dress up thing because you have nothing to wear.

My other issue with sparkle is that sometimes it is scratchy or uncomfortable. Prior to the navy with sparkle, I had a cute sweater with tiny sparkle bits in the yarn. Putting elbows down in that sweater was positively painful. I'll be more careful here on out to not repeat that error.

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