Silver and gold, silver and gold. Maybe you have fond memories of Sam the Snowman from the TV special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” singing those words. The thing is, silver and gold do make festive additions to any holiday aesthetics—including your holiday fashion statements.
Although colors like red, green, and white will always be safe go-tos, they can also feel a little overdone and predictable. Silver, gold, and other metallics give your attire an element of interest so you stand out among other revelers and merrymakers.
So, what do “metallics” entail? In terms of fashion, these are any articles of clothing or accessories that have a metal-like sheen, finish, or appearance, even if the clothing or accessory isn’t necessarily metal itself. These pieces are shiny or reflective, sometimes even lustrous—think sequined, sparkly, or glossy fabrics, as well as your typical jewelry, of course.
Metallics are popular at holiday time because they look festive. It reminds people of tree tinsel or starlit skies. But there’s also an elegance to metallics, thanks to the way they evoke glamour and luxury, so they work well for cocktail parties and special-occasion outings. Metallics also tend to be versatile, as you can choose to either play them up and make them the focus of your outfit, or play them down and use them for a subtle accent of interest.
Popular metallics in recent years include:
Rose Gold
Easily the most dominant trend in metallic fashion in recent years, this shade of gold has a warm, pinkish hue to it.
Iridescent
This is a safe option, as it appears off-white or neutral until it catches the light, then giving off an element of shine for great effect.
Silver
Silver never goes out of style and is appropriate for nearly any occasion. It’s versatile, and it’s festive without being ostentatious.
Matte Metallics
Want to try something metallic without drawing too much attention to yourself. A matte metallic, which is flatter and doesn’t have the typical shine, is subtler while still making an impression.
Wearing metallics with black, white, or gray will give the metallic elements a chance to stand out, all without ever looking too bold, but if you want a look that makes a stronger statement, you can always try pairing metallics with rich jewel tones or bright primary colors. This works especially well if you go for contrast: Try warm gold with a deep purple, or an icy silver with a holly red.
Be careful about mixing metallics with other metallics—although it can be done, you run the risk of creating an outfit that is too overwhelming if every article of clothing and every accessory has some shine to it.
If you want to add more interest beyond one or two metallic pieces, you can always try incorporating other textures, such as velvet or faux fur.
With all of this in mind, you’re sure to shine at all your holiday gatherings this season!
