Item of the week: the metallic tone

What it is:

Metallic pieces were a popular addition to spring/summer 2023 runways for
the fashion week month. From tailored suits to structured gowns, there was
plenty of experimentation in the exploration of this trend. Metallic
materials themselves are inorganic substances, usually utilising
combinations of metal and non-metal elements. The result is a fabric that
can often be highly manipulated, hence its presence in design collections
largely consisting of moulded shapes and silhouettes. High street
retailers, however, have taken a more accessible approach to the style,
making it suitable for daily wear and a wardrobe essential for the season.

Why you’ll want it:

While metallic materials are a fun addition to the wardrobe, it can be a
difficult one to push for customers that prefer to stick in their comfort
zones. However, for this season, with a large number of designers
experimenting with the design and retailers taking on the trend, it has
seen the emergence of a number of pieces that are more ‘down-to-earth’, and
therefore easier to style. That being said, the material still speaks to
the more daring fashion crowd and can pull them in through trend-led
styling. Available items have also taken on a more updated presence
compared to the metallic trends that have existed in the past.

Where we’ve seen it:

For SS23, metallics were especially seen among menswear designer
collections, used in tailored pieces and accessories. The material could be
spotted in multi-item suit looks in the shows of Giorgio Armani, Vtmnts and
Bianca Saunders, each of which opted for bold silver metallics for full
outfit looks. A particular theme was that of iridescent metallics, adopted
in the collections for the likes of Rick Owens and David Koma, both of
which offered up head-to-toe designs utilising the material. For
womenswear, a more feminine edge was used to the typically harsh hue. While
Simone Rocha exhibited complexity in a gathered silhouette, Isabel Marant
used the fabric for tiny shorts and shiny fitted dresses.

How to style it:

Metallic tones work best with block colours that complement the tones seen
within the mirroring of the piece. For example, silver metallics often show
hints of pink and blue, tones that can then be utilised through the rest of
the look. For metallic trousers, opt for coloured shirts or tees, or basic
whites to further emphasise the metallic. Alternatively, go all out with a
jacket in a matching material, for a more daring look that catches the eye.
Metallic dresses, on the other hand, can be entirely stand-alone items,
matched simply with basic accessories and shoes.

Metallics are a daring fabric choice that has proven to be popular for the
upcoming season among a selection of exhibiting designers. With retailers
tackling the trend in more approachable ways, it has meant that the
material is slowly becoming a wardrobe staple for the fashion-forward
consumer.