Sparkle is one of those universally-appealing, fashion perennials that never really goes out of style. Just about every girl loves to have at least a small amount of it in her wardrobe. And it just so happens that this season is chock-full of glitter, sequins, paillettes and all manner of shiny things. In fashion speak: shimmer is having a moment.

It’s an obvious choice for the holiday season. But the real test is pulling shimmer off during the day. Remember, fashion is now a world that thrives on contrasts -dramatic, evening looks for day; sheer, summery pieces in winter – are you getting the idea?

That said, anything featuring glitter, sequins, paillettes or any other shiny substance can be tricky. Style it incorrectly and you could easily find yourself looking like a long-lost member of Destiny’s Child, Vegas call girl, Eurovision contestant – or a hybrid of all three. Bottom line, sparkle can either look really fun and fashionable, or cheap as hell.

Let’s start with the glittery moment for day. If I had worn this gilded J.Crew dress (pictured above)?to the office on its own, I would have felt overdressed and out of place. But the opaque tights, denim shirt and army jacket bring the shine’s drama back down to 9-to-5 land. The key is to layer strategically with pieces that prevent you from looking like you’ve tried too hard.

Nighttime, of course, is another matter. And glamour has never been more au courant. So I doubled up on the shimmer by pairing Zara’s body-skimming sequin pencil skirt with Miu Miu’s badass glittery booties.

Last, a cashmere V-neck sweater adds a dose of unaffected respectability that keeps me from looking like I’m headed to work on the nearest street corner instead of the theatre.