Fashion magpies, avert your eyes or risk bankruptcy. This season the high street practically glimmers with high-shine sequins and bling embellishment by the bucketload.

Sequins have always been a staple for the party season but this winter all that shimmers and shines has really taken hold in planet style for both daywear and disco attire.

In response to credit crunch doom and gloom, designers lightened the fashion mood with 1980s-style good-time dressing.

The likes of Gucci, Balmain, Julien Macdonald and Ashish put the catwalk front rows into a sequin trance with lashings of OTT glamour and glitter.

But whatever your sparkle tolerance level, there's a sequin style for you to shine in, from oversized pailette discs through to more subtle beaded embellishment.

Make a dazzling impression with show-stopping sequins.

Daytime shimmer

How many dresses do you have hanging in your wardrobe that you keep purely for hitting the dancefloor? Take note: sequins are no longer reserved for your 'Sunday best'.

Get extra mileage out of shimmering clothing by incorporating them into your daywear wardrobe. Pick out just one sequin separate - say skirt, waistcoat or cardigan - and dress around it.

Styling tip: Teaming your sequins with denim and knitwear is a great way to tone down high voltage sparkle. Try throwing a sequin dress or tunic over jeans and team with a chunky cardigan for a hint of daytime dazzle.

Try: Wallis black sequin waistcoat, £38, Miss Selfridge black sequin disc cardigan, £55; French Connection grey embellished jumper, £110; Evans draped sequin t-shirt, £32.

Evening sparkle

Chuck out the metallic rule book. There's no need to stick to just one sequin shade.

Designers mixed up silvers, golds, bronzes, blues and greens to create a kaleidoscope of sparkling colour.

If you're conscious about your curves stick to a more delicate smattering of sequins in darker colours like black and slate grey as heavily embellished styles can add bulk.

Styling tip: If you're not a fan of girly fashion, ditch sequin dresses and let your legs shine. Try a pair of shimmering harem trousers or sequin leggings for an unexpected occasion-wear twist.

Try: Next Leopard sequin jacket, £55; Per Una at Marks and Spencer Speziale sequin bow dress, £150; Coast Johanna sequin skirt, £85; Mango black sequin harem trousers, £69 at ASOS.

Dazzling accessories

Sequins aren't for everyone but even a hint of embellishment can add the wow factor to a tired party dress.

Think of sparkle as your winter tonic for adding interest to dark ensembles - a contrasting sequinned accessory will give your outfit instant party appeal.

Whether it's sequin shoes, a sparkly scarf or beaded clutch, choose one accessory for a high-shine statement.

Styling tip: Avoid the 'explosion in a glitter factory' look. Only wear sequin accessories if you're not wearing even a hint of sequin clothing.

Try: Office Marvellous sequin boots, £90; F&F at Tesco gold sequin peep-toe heels, £20; Accessorize Union Jack sequin clutch, £30; Dorothy Perkins gold sequin scarf, £15.