Metallic outfits, whether bold and blinding or subtly shiny, are never far from on-trend. Nearly every era has had a pop of shine in its color palette, from the gilded golden looks of the ’70s and the jewel-toned metallics of the ’80s to the sleek silvers of the early aughts.
This season, metallics have taken hold yet again with innovative textures and unexpected textile pairings. Golden looks, bronze power suits, and silver party pants are giving wardrobes everywhere a little extra sparkle. Meanwhile, pinks, pastels, and patterns are changing the very definition of what it means to don a metallic hue. Ahead, style inspiration worth replicating via 16 metallic outfits.
Subvert Classic Suiting
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Is there anything as chic as a well-tailored suit? We don’t think so, except of course for one in muted silver or gunmetal gray. While going for gold is never out of the question, we love the sophistication of darker tones when it comes to this metallic outfit approach. For an even more elevated feel, look for a suit with a luxurious pattern like brocade or moody florals.
Try a Liquid Metal Finish
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If this year’s red carpets have taught us anything, it’s that you can’t go wrong with the lustrous liquid sheen of micro-sequins. Equally striking in gold and silver, this metallic texture also shines in muted shades of dove gray, smoke, and frosty beige.
Opt for Coated Denim
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For a softer take on a metallic outfit, try adding a lustrous coated denim skirt or pair of jeans to your look. Coated denim comes in a wide range of intensities from vivid quicksilver to softly shining, so you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to visual impact. Generally, a darker wash will have a deeper, vampier metallic hue while lighter denim takes on an opalescent brightness.
Mix Metals
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Mixing metals isn’t just a good rule of thumb when layering jewelry; it works equally well when putting together a metallic outfit. Pair separates in tones on opposing ends of the metallic color wheel or choose a single piece that features multiple shiny shades in color-blocked panels, sequins, or a high-contrast pattern.
Go Beyond Silver and Gold
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No shade to gold-dipped or shining silver looks, but there’s a whole wide world of metallic colors to choose from, many of which can be even more impactful than those inspired by precious metals. Stand out from the crowd by opting for vivid magenta, royal blue, or forest green with your next gilded look.
Add a Structural Statement Piece
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While wearing metallic bottoms with a contrasting top or vice versa is a great way to create a metallic outfit, you can also work the texture in as an accent piece. Corsets and harnesses aren’t heading out of style anytime soon and the structural nature of these garments lends itself to metallic textiles like faux leather and sturdy vinyl. Our favorite take on this style of metallic outfit is giving a flowy maxi or midi dress a cinched silhouette by adding a metallic corset on top.
Try a Subtle Print
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If straight gold or silver separates feel too daunting, ease yourself into metallics by breaking up the brightness with a subtle pattern like stripes. You’ll still get all the impact of a metallic outfit, minus the glaring brightness.
Swap Out Your Go-To Neutrals
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One foolproof way to mix more metallics into your style rotation is to think of them as a neutral. Swap out tan or beige pieces for gold ones and grays or blacks for silver. This styling hack not only brightens up familiar favorite looks, but is also a great blueprint for deciding what metallic pieces are worth investing in. If you have a classic trench you wear weekly, consider buying one in gold. Have a pair of work pants you can’t live without? It might be time to find a similar silhouette in striking silver.
Brighten Up Business Casual
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Metallics are often thought of as loud which isn’t entirely incorrect, but this trending texture can be beautifully subtle. Using the neutral color swap approach above, consider working metallic separates into your go-to workwear looks. From silver slacks to a tailored gold blazers, a touch of metallic can revitalize business casual attire and take a look from the office straight to happy hour.
Add a Barely-There Layer
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For an effortlessly cool metallic outfit, we recommend adding a lightweight mesh or woven dress over an oversized button-down shirt or shirt dress. Don’t worry about the lines of your layers matching up precisely; playful proportions will bring out the best of your metallic top layer. Sneakers keep this look casual for day while a pair of high-shine heels make it perfect for a night out on the town.
Mix Multiple Metallic Textures
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Sticking to metallic accessories is a fast and easy way to turn any outfit into a metallic one. Taking a textural mix-and-match approach is best for this style of metallic outfit. To start, pick a shade and then choose a bag, shoes, or gloves, that feature that color in different finishes. Pairing gunmetal gray sequin gloves with a croc-embossed bag is a beautiful example of how much richness you can create even while sticking to a single shade.
Add a Bold Bralette
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You don’t need to don a full suit of armor to pull off a metallic outfit. Consider adding a rhinestone or chainlink bralette over a basic tee or oversized shirt dress for a look that sparkles without blinding. For maximum cohesiveness, keep all accompanying accessories in the same metallic color family.
Spice up a Pastel Color Palette
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Spice up the delight of winter pastels by adding an icy metallic color to the mix, like icy blue or lavender. Alternatively, warm things up, just a touch, with shades of chilly rose.
Enter the Bronze Age
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Jewel tones and pastels aren’t the only metallic shades that offer a fresh take on this trend. For a unique metallic outfit, we recommend opting for bronze, rather than the traditional gold or silver. To bring out the shine in this subdued metallic color, pair bronze with chunky cable knits or dark denim.
Go for Molten Metallics
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Harkening back to the richness of bronze sculpture, the liquid luster of micro-sequins offer an innovative texture all their own: molten metallics. While you wait for this season’s latest designs to hit stores, you can recreate a molten metallic effect with a pleated or ruched dress in gold, bronze, or silver.
Keep It Casual
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We’re all for elevated metallic outfits, but casual pieces like cargo or track pants are equally chic when dipped in gold or silver. Keep in mind that you don’t have to stick to striking column dresses or formalwear when embracing metallic texture. A cropped jacket and oversized sweats look are as worthy of an OOTD selfie as a gilded gown and sharp-toed stilettos.
