How To Do Metallics Without Looking (Too Much) Like A Quality Street

Whether it's high shine or matte, it's going to be a metallic summer. Photographs by Baker & Evans

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by Pandora Sykes |
Published on

Metallics kind of get lumped into the same bracket as neon: 'advance with care' comes the warning. Well, we say that's rubbish. Metallics can be sporty, edgy and unexpectedly irreverent. Liquid metal (think high-shine silvers and golds with a ripply fluidity) is a big trend this summer, as seen at Lanvin, Dries Van Noten and on the ridiculously sweet camisole dresses at Altuzarra.

And we're here to prove that 'metallics' doesn't have to mean a silver lurex pencil skirt from a place we shall not mention (aka, baco foil.) Here's how to pull off metallics right:

1. Gold and silver can be pals

You know that person that told you not to wear gold and silver together? S/he's probably the same person that told you not to wear red and pink together. OK, so you'll need a dollop of kitsch confidence to pull off this combination - if it's too much, just opt for one silver, or one gold, worn separately - but it's balanced by the bright pink clutch. If in doubt, in life, everything is balanced by a bright pink transparent clutch. Maybe.

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'Sofia' Gold Quilted Blazer, £1,200 Ryan Lo, Silver Crownie Trousers, £265 Joseph, Black and White 'Sadie' Boots, £595 Sophia Webster, Pink Custom Made Metallic Clutch (price on request) Sophia Webster, Silver In Ear Phones, £39.99 Happy Plugs.

 

Metallic Luxe Joggers, £65 Pippa Lynn at ASOS, Sequined Crepe Blazer, £310 Day Birger et Mikkelsen at Net-a-Porter, Clear Clutch Bag£8.52 Sachis Studio at Etsy, Curie Mule, £92.98 Jeffrey Campbell at Nasty Gal.

2. But metallics don't have to be shiny

If you're a cautious Caroline when it comes to metallics, look to other non 'metals' like pink and purple; or play with the texture. Opting for something matte and ribbed, like these pieces by ASOS, is an easy win. As are these metallic pool slides, which are going to be everywhere this summer. Literally the only place you probably won't see any, is the actual pool.

 
 
 

Metallic Jacquard Tailored Shirt, £295 House of Holland, Metallic Lilac Knitted Skirt, £35 ASOS (out end of April), Hand Embellished Silver Sandals, £325 Zeynep Tosun.

 

Knitted Bodycon Dress With Foil Print, £15 ASOS, Sheer Panel Silk Shirt£125 Whistles, Vintage 90's Tube Skirt in Rib, £19 ASOS Reclaimed at ASOS, Pool Sliders, £5 Topshop Unique.

3. A metallic jacket is surprisingly wearable

Pink can still have edge, as this mini pink foil gilet worn with a dusky pink mesh sweater, proves. If pink makes you wince, try Acne's Mape jacket (our dream statement jacket for, like, forever). And since silver is basically a neutral, these trainers will go with everything.

 
 
 

Pink Super Sunglasses, £130 at Retro Super Future, Pink Foil Leather Sleeveless Jacket, £588 Charlie May, Pink Mesh Top, £115 Bimba Y Lola, Metallic Gold Hologram Shorts, £330 Bimba Y Lola, Metallic Shoes, £269 Escada Sport at Escada.

 

Oh My Gosh Asymmetric Skirt by Jovanna, £25 Topshop, Mape Metallic Leather Biker Jacket, £1,400 Acne at Selfridges, Metallic Knitted Jumper, £270 T by Alexander Wang at FarFetch, Chuck Taylor All Star Elevated Glam Silver Hi Top Plimsolls, £65 Converse at Very.co.uk.

Styled by Louby Mcloughlin

Model: Savannah at Elite

Hair and make-up: Nicola Moores Britten

Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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