The Fall 2016/Winter 2016 metallic trend is awesome...
Faithful readers know that I am all about building a forever closet. The idea of throwaway fashion just doesn't sit well with me. (Take a look at some of the reasons why I joined the Slow Fashion movement here. Find some great ethical fashion brands here and here.) I've given up on the idea of being "on trend" in favor of being true to my own style. Does that mean I don't like to join in the fun of a great trending look? No! But if I like great trending look while it's trending, I'll still like it when the fashion gurus have moved on to the next trend.
Metallics have always been fashion's futuristic attention-grabbers. Check out the cantilevered silver shoes and "dress made entirely of aluminum" by 1930s designers in this great old film footage:
1930s "Clothing of the Future"
Mod, mirrored mini dresses!
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| We won't discuss the 1980s... |
Metallics have always been dazzlingly in-your-face fashion choices. In fact, when I wanted to stand out at my high school prom, I wore a metallic silver dress not terribly unlike the one on the left. (Don't judge me, it was the eighties and I was only 17.)
But metallics can also serve as sassy neutrals, which is how I mostly like to wear them now. I recently found a great pair of silver block heels that make me feel both modern and retro. (They are ridiculously inexpensive, too. Snag a pair for yourself here.)
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| Get my shoes here! (My adorable dog Rocky is not included. |
Remember The Wizard of Oz? In the book, Dorothy's slippers weren't ruby, but silver:
"The Silver Shoes," said the Good Witch, "have wonderful powers. And one of the most curious things about them is that they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye. All you have to do is knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you wherever you wish to go."
Okay, so this season's cool metallic footwear probably won't be able to do all that ... but then again, I'm not ruling anything out. Here are a few of my favorites -- click on any image for purchase information:
Check out the slide shows below for more spectacular, shiny shoes from recent runways. And don't forget to watch the video at the top of this post for a great overview of recent designer metallic clothing. Why stop with shoes? I, for one, am drooling over this silver satin bomber jacket. It's a dead ringer for a certain Italian fashion house version... (You guys know how much I love anything close to a souvenir jacket.)
Shine on, everyone!
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2016/2017 Metallic Fashion compilation by A Fashion
Vintage metallic fashion footage by British Pathé, courtesy of Vintage Fashion
1960s metallic fashion footage by Critical Past
See more shiny goodness from recent runways below:
Embed from Getty Images
