At five years old I started making a beeline to my mother’s wardrobe to try on her mirror-shiny slingbacks and chainmail clutch bags. After all, it was the Seventies. The disco age was in full swing, so metallic was having a fashion moment.
But then, there hasn’t ever really been a time when it hasn’t been having a moment.
From the Thirties, when floor-length lamé gowns epitomised old-school Hollywood glamour to the futuristic French label Courreges, with its silver A-line minis in the Sixties, designers have always known that if they want to sell some clothes, they had best roll a handful of them in glitter.
This season, fashion has gone joyously full-tilt giddy with the trend.
Thanks to brands such as Gucci — where the grandma’s jewellery box approach added a metallic sheen to every colour of the rainbow — and Saint Laurent — where glamazons strutted the runway in Eighties‑inspired, skintight, molten silver short prom dresses— when it comes to metallic, more is more.
As the trend continues and the High Street works harder to attract our insatiable inner magpie, modern metallics have become an acceptable 24/7 look.
Yes, the party season is the perfect time to get your sparkle on, but the look has moved seamlessly from glamorous eveningwear to making appearances in every part of our wardrobe.
And why not? Adding some shimmer and sparkle is the quickest way to feel dressed up and a bit glamorous.
I’ve never had more compliments than the day last week when I wore a silver Lurex ‘see it from space’ blouse to cheer up plain navy trousers.
Metallic clothes are spellbinding. Why not bring a bit of that magic into your everyday life?
Understandably, some are frightened of metallics, fearing they will stray too far into Metal Mickey territory. If that’s you, then I’d start with accessories.
You could just dip your toe into the trend with statement boots. Zara’s silver ankle boots (£45.99, zara.com) work with trousers, skirts, dresses and jeans, thanks to their bang on-trend kitten heel.
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Be careful with cheap glittery fabrics — you don’t want to be trailing clouds of fairy dust!
Metallic fabrics can be stiff and scratchy, so do try before you buy.
Consider darker, less highly mirrored fabrics across the hips and bust.
YES, metallics are great. Sequins are great. Metallics with sequins equals panto.
I cannot leave the subject of metallic footwear without recommending Mango’s Gucci-inspired emerald loafers (£59.99, mango.com).
Men’s tailoring has dominated womenswear this winter, but this pretty green softens the edginess of the masculine shoe. Loafers are perfect with jeans and suits alike.
If you’re a bag girl rather than a shoe girl, then do take a look at Boden’s silver clutch (£79.50, boden.co.uk), not least because it’s not a silly ‘lipstick only’ size and its practical envelope style means it fits snugly under your arm.
I’m not keen on getting dressed up to the nines for a party (particularly when it’s at the end of a busy day), so for me, metallics are the perfect day-to-night choice. There’s an amazing blingy maxi skirt I’ve spotted at Coast (£179, coast stores.com), though it isn’t right for anyone who doesn’t like being looked at. I’d wear it with a simple black cami and unassuming heels.
An often overlooked fact about silver is that, far from being hard to co-ordinate, it is actually the ultimate neutral. If you don’t believe me, try for yourself. You really can wear any colour combo you like.
That said, metallic doesn’t just mean silver — there are countless shades of pewter, copper, bronze, gold and gunmetal on the High Street, not to mention metallic colours (thank you, Gucci).
The beauty of a piece such as the pleated emerald skirt from & Other Stories (£65, stories.com) is that the sheen is subtle enough for work — even in January. Any top in a neutral black, cream or grey will work for day, then you can short prom dresses uk it up for night.
Your final justification for splashing out on metallics — especially in the sales — is that you will be bringing them out year after year after year.
Trends come and go, but every decade has a strong metallic thread woven through it. So go ahead and shine!