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Can A Mother And Her Daughter Wear The Same Sequined Skirt?

Hair-and-Lips-Closeup

You already know the answer to the headlined question.

Back in 2012 I bought a sequined skirt at All Saints. I wore it to the office holiday party with a black cotton button-front shirt, black Louboutins (these days you might prefer the pointy-toed version), dark red nails, gold bangles, and a family diamond-embellished cuff (I think this modern one’s similar in feeling). I colored my hair in those days.

Bracelets-and-Glasses-and-Nails

There are lots of sequin options this year, if you’d like to follow suit.

Sequined Skirts For Mother And Daughter (scroll right)

I wore the skirt again that Christmas night, with a white Anne Fontaine shirt and seriously tacky sparkle platform slingbacks. My husband and I (he was then still my Significant Other,) were having room service dinner at the San Francisco St. Regis. In that setting I was OK with the glitter and legs.

All Saints skirt, Anne Fontane blouse, 9 West shoes

But this year the skirt got too short. Nothing much changed except my attitude. I doubt fingers would point, but I’d feel less than spectacular and you should feel full-on spectacular in sequins.

Anyway, here’s how I balanced the skirt, in 2012.

Accessories For Mama (scroll right)


This year I gave the skirt to my daughter. Then I asked her to toss her ponytail in the middle of the messy in-use kitchen. They are so tolerant sometimes, our grown kids.

daughter-in-sequins

She’s wearing a tee and boots from All Saints. My husband and I had taken her shopping and splurged. I love her rocker look, especially since she’s actually a medical school student. If she wants a straight-up pretty outfit going forward, I think she can find a satin tee and sandals for not too much money.

And What The Daughter Wore, Or Might Wear (scroll right)

When I posted the shot of the pony toss on Instagram, several commenters  (including Materfamilias) suggested a blog post about the different ways a 50+-year old and a 29-year old might wear the same skirt. Thanks for the suggestion and here you go:

  • Mother – tailored shirt || Daughter – animal tee or tank
  • Mother – matte top || Daughter – grunge or shiny top
  • Mother – pumps and slingbacks || Daughter – ankle boots with cut-out heels, or strappy satin sandals
  • Mother – updo, or long and straightened || Daughter – however she dang well pleases

The mother tempers stretch and sequins with matte structure, the daughter augments with shine and skin.

I should add, in this era when we seem to be throwing off outdated expectations of how women over 40 and 50 and 60 ought to dress, far be it for me to enforce formulas. I’m giving you my own particular High-WASP-moved-to-Northern-California wardrobe calculus. Balance in all things. So when a certain piece of clothing starts to feel exceedingly body-focused, you should feel free to lay it down. Alternatively, double down and don it with a silver bodysuit and lucite-heeled boots. Room for everything.

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39 Responses

  1. I love your sequined skirt party look!
    I would like to borow ankle boots from the daughters department :-),could I?
    Your beautiful daughter could wear anything and look gorgeous!
    Dottoressa

  2. I love the way you balanced the sequined skirt with matte tailored shirts – I would do the same (if I had the guts to wear the sequins!). Also, love the ankle boots on your daughter. She is rocking it!

  3. Hi Lisa,

    You have a enviable figure. I’m curious about the maker of the shoes you are wearing in the third photo, with sequins. Thanks. Karen

    1. @karen, Thanks! Some genetics, some hard work. And I picked up the shoes for ~$30 from a TJ Maxx and I do not remember the brand! I’ve since donated them, sorry to draw a blank!

  4. I have a sequin phobia on me, but enjoy them on other people. You and your daughter both look great! And I do like sequins better away from the face.

  5. Of course you should stop wearing the sequin skirt if you no longer feel fabulous in it because feeling fabulous is what it is all about. And if you do still love it – then rock it. It looks great to me, but obviously needs to be worn with unselfconscious confidence..

  6. Makes me sorry again that I never had a daughter. Love my boys, but I’ll never have this kind of fun with them. :-)

  7. Your daughter totally rocks that skirt, but then I think you dd too, so yes I think Mothers and Daughters can wear the same things, they just accessories them differently. Take for instance the shirt, on you the collared shirt looks fantastic with the sequinned skirt, same skirt on your daughter looks fabulous with the t shirt. You both look great!

  8. You both look great in the skirt, but I know what you mean about style shifts. ;-) I think the beauty of fashion nowadays is that we can each put our own spin on it, independent of age.

  9. I think you look great in that skirt (daughter, too, of course). I just don’t have what it takes to pull something like that off – it would make me feel conspicuous and awkward. I’m basically a plain and conservative dresser! I so think you and your daughter can both pull it off.

  10. You both look fabulous. What is nice about fashion is that it can go toned down or ratcheted up to suit. All depends on how one wants to come across. Of course, individual comfort level plays a big part. I also agree, over time our style and wardrobe preferences change. We are all “a work in progress.” Enjoy.

  11. OMG! OMG! I feel like I have made some truly delicious discovery finding your blog. I LOVE your writing. And I LOVE your style. You and your daughter both look fabulous, BTW. I am in the infantile stages of blogging for the Over 40 ladies and I feel like I have stumbled upon a treasure trove here. Lovely writing!

  12. When I saw the title of your article I immediately thought no but having read it and seen the photos it is a huge yes from me, you both look fabulous.

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