Disco may be dead, but sequins are clearly stayin’ alive. Until recently, however, their glitz and glamour have been restricted to after-hours only.

Sequins first became trendy in the ’70s, when Saturday night fever was running high and sparkly jumpsuits beamed on the dance floor of Studio 54. By the ’80s, the stunning embellishment had become a key element of lavish ball gowns – think Dynasty’s Alexis Carrington.

Sequins, like this heart transfer (RSHEART) from Foxyware, are particularly popular in women’s fashion.

Since then, sequins have typically been reserved for holidays and special occasions, but boundary-pushing designers like Elie Saab and Tom Ford have been bringing the sparkly decoration into the light of day, adding sequins to up the drama of everyday wear. Mainstream fashion brands like Victoria’s Secret are also releasing sequined items, “which helped kick off this fashion craze,” says Wayne Cimperman of Foxyware (asi/87605).

Sequins are both fashion-forward and versatile. “They’re universal,” says Greg Gaardbo of Shockwaves Apparel (asi/87144). “I’ve seen everything from corporate wear to fashion with sequins, and they blend in.”

This bag (RSBAG) from Foxyware (asi/87605) features reverse sequins, which can reveal a logo or other graphic when you brush your hand against them.

The latest trend in sequined apparel and accessories is interactive, reverse sequins, which change colors when you brush your hand across them. Cimperman describes the reverse sequin trend as “calming” and “addictive.” Although reverse sequins are a big hit with children, there’s no age limit for the trend, particularly among women. “I’ve seen it go from 0 to 80, all over the board,” Gaardbo says.

Sequins have some advantages over other sparkly decoration methods, like rhinestones, according to Gaardbo. “The way sequins reflect light gives better sparkle and a more polished shine,” he says. Sequins also tend to have better longevity than rhinestones, which can become damaged and cloudy when washed the wrong way, he adds. “I’ve seen people wear sequins for five years like brand new.”

Combine two hot trends by adding sequins to a fanny pack (SEQFANNY), like this product from Foxyware.

Ready to indulge in all this bling, but not sure how? Gaardbo recommends using a laser to cut the sequins into different shapes and styles. Additionally, Gaardbo and Cimperman both suggest combining sequins with dye sublimation, which allows decorators to easily print graphics on synthetic materials. Just be sure to test your sequins before telling a client you can sublimate on them. “Many customers have wasted lots of time and money only to learn that the products they purchased cannot be printed,” Cimperman says.

If your clients are looking for something attention-grabbing for their next promotion, help them rise and shine with on-trend sequined apparel.

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