Not once have I hated sequins and metallics. It's a cheap way to shine and sparkle in fashion, but at least I'd rather see something like this than some other annoying trend that I'm unwilling to disclose. Doesn't matter if it's big sequins on a tote bag or something sparkly that you'd find on a classy dress, I've honestly never hated sequins and metallics. I was okay with just about all sequinned stuff (give or take a few exceptions). The key for me lies in how the design of everything goes. Are you trying to go head-to-toe sequins/metallics? Are you trying to minimalize these accents? An even balance of sequins and/or metallics can mean the difference between super-chic garments and something that isn't so super-chic.
Allow me to go over some of my favorites from what I've seen in this thread so far.
* the first picture to Phi (Post #1)
That's an example of using sequins and metallics in a nice balance. Look at how the sequin details are mostly in the center while the rest of the look has metalic shine. That is a perfect blend of metalic and sequin.
* the second Oscar de la Renta picture (Post #1)
I am an Oscar de la Renta fan. I don't mean to say this in a funny or offensive way, but that dress looks like it was made out of aluminum. It shines so beautifully. That's metallic done very well in my view.
* Tory Burch dress (Post #4)
One of the coolest things about sparkly sequinned black garments is that the sequins can kind of resemble the night sky on a clear night. The dress sparkles like the night sky and looks beautiful (even if it's an older style).
* the third picture for Chado Ralph Rucci (Post #6)
I love the dress a lot. The metallic look is impressive. While I like it overall, I'd probably like it more if it were either a red dress, a blue dress, or a black dress.
* the second dress for Balmain Spring 2009 (Post #17)
This dress is more like green marble than anything metallic. I love the emerald color to this dress.
* the second Missoni picture (Post #26)
That jumpsuit is lovely and classy. I probably would have liked the sequin detail to be the top part of the jumpsuit with the pants part of the jumpsuit to be all metallic fabric. It's still a very nice jumpsuit.
Finally...
* the first Herve Leger dress (Post #26)
I love the contrast with those metallic bands around the dress outlined by those shiny parts.
Now to end with a little humor. The first thing I kind of thought of when I saw the Ashley Isham dress (Post #10) was that one award show when Madonna wore a dress made mostly of American Express Gold cards. Don't know why it was the first thing to come to mind when I first saw that. Those big square sequins kind of remind me of the infamous American Express Gold card dress Madonna wore. In case you want to see that infamous dress, here it is: <
http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/collection/australian/textiles/g/aft00001.html >.
I don't hate sequins or metallics very much. I'm perfectly fine with this, and I love the styles I've discussed here.