My favorite shiny looks, from left: Tory Burch, Issacc Mizrahi, Tadashi Shojo, Marc Jacobs, Erin Fetherston, Luca Luca, 3.1 Phillip Lim, 3.1 Phillip Lim (again!), Pamella Roland

Early in childhood, I amassed a wardrobe of spangly costumes–one, if not three, for each June recital season at Peggy’s dance studio. I was very fond of the black-and-white checked biker shorts with hot pink top I wore in ’91. This was clearly the most appropriate outfit to wear while dancing to Marky Mark’s “Good Vibrations.” If memory serves, the costume was accessorized with a black biker cap. I also recall a tuxedo-inspired get-up for “The Boy From New York City” (tap), not to mention countless, more forgettable ballet ensembles (pink tutus… maybe some ribbons for good measure?)

My absolute favorite was a pistachio green confection with see-through ruffles trimmed with green sequins. The pièce de résistance was the ALL-SEQUINS green headband. I don’t remember what I danced to, but oh, how I loved that costume. Whether I loved it as much at the time, or now, in retrospect, is unclear. I only wore it twice (it had its encore on Halloween), but the shiny, pretty memory holds.

I have always loved sparkly things–an affinity I share with my friend and fellow magpie, Kat–and NYFW offered up plenty to fuel my permanent state of distraction. Each shiny, metallic or bedazzled object was better than the last: I was a huge fan of Erin Fetherston’s entire line and was surprised it didn’t make more of a splash with critics; the gold dress paired with black jacket is perfection. Tory’s and Isaac’s juicy-fruit sequins could make any day brighter. And Phillip Lim makes me wish I lived in the Days of Disco.

I’ll never again wear a pistachio-green Leprachaun chic tap costume. But maybe if I save lots and lots of money, I can hope for a purple sequins shirt to wear to my next soiree.