3 Sparkle Rules: How to Wear Glitter Without Looking Like a Disco Ball

We all love a bit of glitter, right? Coming up to the season to jolly (yeah, I said it), and planning the ultimate outfit for the office party, we love to get dressed up don't we?

Now we don't have to go over board with the sparkle to have the effect of the girl in the Mastercard ad when she goes to her school reunion. Less is more, it's just about how you style it all together. So I've come up with the "Sparkle Rules" for wearing glitter, metallics, shiny stuff and basically anything that will catch the light like a disco ball. Oh yeah, the disco ball thing we need to avoid.

• Wear just one

When going for the glittery look, you need to keep the shine to just one piece that you are wearing. So if your dress is covered in sequins, even if they are black, or has a metallic sheen, this is the only piece you need. Pare back your accessories, including your shoes and go for a matte fabric, or even some contrast like velvet or satin.

• It's all about balance

The same rule as above really applies to your make up as well. Let the outfit do all the talking so your make up needs to complement the look and not take away from it. Try a smokey eye, with a nice nude lip with your glittery ensemble to finish the outfit. (I should add the black dress above is one of my favourite pieces to come in store for the party season!)

• It does work for a wedding

If you have a Christmas wedding, then a little sparkle really works. You just have to be careful that your outfit doesn't look too "night out". The trick to managing the level of "going-outness" is what you wear over your outfit. If you are going for a dress, try a nice dressy blazer or coat.

Are you a shiny magpie? Or are you sticking with mattes, velvets and onesies for the foreseeable?