So, I have to say I'm a lover, not a hater. I generally look for the silver lining, rather than the doomsday. I like the positive, not the negative. I don't watch some reality TV shows purposely because I can't stand watching people get cut down by the "judges."
I love sparkles - duh. I don't love incomplete sparkles.
What do I mean by this? Incomplete sparkles are like a mullet - looks one way from the front, and awful from the back. I mean, what is worse than a beautiful sparkly, ruffled, patterned, etc. blouse, skirt, dress, etc. whose embellishment doesn't continue onto the back? It's like a mullet. Or socks with sandals. Or visible panty line. Just plain wrong.
I've heard arguments that it is a cost thing - too cost prohibitive to continue things on the backside. I don't buy it (in belief or in purchase).
A few items to illustrate my point...
But all wrong. Especially the sleeves - they continue all the way around, but the sparkly pattern on the bodice does not.
Looks great from the front.
But all wrong from the back. A plain, non-special black T.
Granted the name of this item is "sequin front cardigan."
Why can't it just be "sequin cardigan"?
An uninteresting, un-whelming view from the back...
A
striped tank from Banana - on sale for $59.99 (down from $79.50).
Love the tone on tone stripes of sequin. A great layering piece, or all on it's own.
Utterly unremarkable (and disappointing) from the back.
Super cute
tank from Gap - $69.95.
Love the paillettes and the chiffon straps and under-layer.
Super cute for the holidays with a pencil skirt or cigarette pants & great colored heels. Equally as cute with jeans for a night out on the town.
Sad from the back. At least there is a little bow to add a slight amount of interest.
I really liked this
dress in the French Connection catalog I got in the mail the other day. Interesting with the wrap-front, nice sparkle. Super cute. $248.
I couldn't wait to go on-line to take a closer look and see it without the fur shrug.
So disappointed. Not one embellishment on the back. And this LBD costs $248.
One of my go-to stores - J. Crew. Super cute
sparkly tank - originally $118, on sale now for $79.50.
Sadly, the sparkle covers only the front.
Another unremarkable, boring back.
Why oh why?
Case in point for continuing sparkles (or other embellishments) all the way around a garment that doesn't have to break the bank.
I found 2 super cute dresses from LuLu's that do just that - sequin & pattern is continued all the way around.
And the sequins continue onto the back, along with a nice plunge. So adorable.
This LSD (
little silver dress), also from LuLu's continues the sparkles all the way around. This will set you back $91.
$91 well spent on a dress with sequin on the back too!
All of the retailers that I frequent, and have mentioned here with misses on their backsides sell items that continue the sequin all the way around. Why oh why can't all of their items?
Finished all the way around.
Banana Republic.
On sale for $79.99.
J. Crew
Finished all the way around & available in 4 colors.
Sequins all around.
Want some
sequin leggings that don't look like chaps because the sequins are lacking on the backside? Found 'em at Express - $98.
Want some other options for finished dresses? Found a bunch also at Express. This
Black / gold striped one is on sale now for $75.60. They have others too.
If you look, you can find finished garments that don't break the bank, and that are absolutely adorable.
You always hear people say that you want to make your exit as memorable as your entrance. How can you do that when the back of your garment is only ho-hum...
Here's to finished garments that carry their embellishments all the way around your lovely frame.
Just say no to mullets. Turn your back on socks with sandals. Don't give visible panty-line the time of day.
Look fabulous from the front and back!
Until next time... Love sparkles on your front and your back.
