9 Australian creatives show us how they style the metallic trend

Intergalactic renaissance.

Silvers, golds and coloured chromes have long been associated with futuristic style and otherworldly beings. Thanks to the current rise of metallic sheens and textures in fashion, it feels like we’re living in what popular culture previously imagined ‘the future’ to look like. 

Coupled with glittering metallics gracing the runway for the likes of Miu Miu, Paco Rabanne, Louis Vuitton and Versace, metallic garments and accessories, long a favourite of celebrities, are now transcending stages, photoshoots and red carpets and finding their way into our everyday outfits.

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Although I’m yet to step into the future and invest in some metallic goodness myself, I’m intrigued by the shining lineup of pieces currently gracing my feed. From silver cowboy boots and chrome shoulder bags to golden maxi skirts and shimmering pink dresses, the metallic reign is upon us. And who better than some of my favourite local creatives to show us how it’s done best?

Anabel, she/her, sales associate and creative

The first thing that comes to mind while seeing this metallic flush over fashion… is my best friend Mary and I during the pandemic thinking of what’s going to be the big trends within the industry. She reminisced on her knowledge about just after the Cold War and how the flapper era became a big thing: gold, silver, sparkles and sequins, a commemoration of the dark times that incites newness and opportunity.

This set is from Lucila Safdie, [the] gold Candy Tank Top matched with the Peaches Frilly Shorts. I was in the Distal Phalanx store in Melbourne and was able to match the set with Western Affair spike silver mules.

@anabelburrows

Mirabai Hazell, she/her, stylist, creative director and disability support worker

I’ve been loving incorporating the metallic trend into my accessories; it adds a fun element to any outfit. I find gold and silver metallic pieces that I can pair with anything. For me, they work like neutrals. I thrifted the metallic vintage crochet bag and silver Onitsuka Tigers from Bang Sue Junction in Bangkok.

I love finding trends secondhand. I tend to cherish and re-wear them more because I put in the effort to find them. I prioritise comfort in my outfits and always try to mix new and secondhand items to add some interest to an outfit, like this amazing vintage top! I also love that I get to celebrate my grey hairs, making them a feature of the outfit when incorporating other silver pieces.

@m1rabai

Gautam Kapoor, he/him, Founder of Gotham

Here I’m wearing Nofunovic metallic shorts and shirt with Balenciaga sneakers and Bottega Veneta metallic sunnies. I like the metallic trend because it’s up to the wearer to decide how dramatic or subtle they keep it. Personally, I like to keep it understated so I’ve chosen to focus it on the sunglasses as a statement piece, and the shorts which have a more subtle metallic sheen to the fabric.

I’m loving the (soon-to-be-released) shorts from Nofunovic because they are a fresh take on utilitarian menswear, and I think the addition of the sunglasses gives the outfit a futuristic edge. 

@gotham_________

Lamishi Dauda, she/her, content creator and HR business partner

To be honest, I was inspired by the queen (Beyoncé) to wear silver more. I got this metallic silver mini skirt from Lioness which quickly became a staple piece, especially on a night out. It is great with white and grey tops. I also love to pair it with silver jewellery as most of my intricate piercings are with silver jewellery.

I love the futuristic cyborg look. Silver is also a great look for Halloween and party season – it makes you stand out. Next on my shopping list is a pair of silver boots which would seal the look with the silver mini skirt.

@meeshi__

Kat Karlsson, she/they, business owner and stylist

I absolutely love layering and I’m one of those people who just throw things on right before exiting the door. I don’t overthink things and rarely take one thing off. My style has always been quite provocative, uncivil, emo, goth [and] rock and I obviously love to show some skin.

For my delusional space babe metallic look, I’m wearing my sister’s leg warmers on my arms, some silver tape, and of course a Balenciaga bag. I like to mix and match high-end brands with gems from my golden era aka teenage years or my mum’s wardrobe. I’ve been a collector of steezy items from a young age, and I love to love my things and cherish them as my babies.

@kcatla_

Priya McPherson, she/her, Designer and Founder of Sage Avenue

There is such a power in getting ready each day, putting an outfit together with conscious thought and careful consideration but with the main purpose of making you feel good from the inside out. My personal style typically follows along the line of statement but minimalistic, as I always reach for my timeless pieces to create the base of my outfit and then look to my accessories to uplift and complete my look. This in itself is the reason why I love the metallic trend so much – it allows you to maintain a slow fashion wardrobe, yet add an extra touch of spice with that metallic chic look through accessories.

You can see this in my outfit today – its foundation is simple yet elevated and completed with my metallic accessories. One of my favourite accessories is featured here, the metallic laptop case that also doubles as a laptop handbag. I also added in one of my all-time go-to Sage Avenue handbags to level up even more. Now these two pieces are items I wear very often and are typically paired with my black outfits to (yes you guessed it) uplift and complete my outfit and the metallic trend is really doing it for me right now.

@sage.avenue

Maia O’Connor, she/her, curve model

This metallic silver bag has become a staple in my wardrobe. As a Melburnian who naturally wears a lot of all-black outfits, a metallic bag is a great way to elevate an outfit in a modern way that adding a bold colour doesn’t achieve. It feels more subtle while still packing a punch and being very easy to tie in with your jewellery styling.

@maiamoconnor

Candy Brat, she/her, content creator

As a maximalist who loves dressing in lots of bright colours, metallic silver is a neutral colour. It still serves to break up an outfit or tone down my bright colours like neutrals do, but it still has a little extra something in its shiny texture that makes it feel less plain. I bought this particular corset secondhand from @rhiharm (the genius behind @pigsuit.au) in 2014 and it has served me very well!

It’s such a fun styling piece that can add some sparkle to any outfit. It gives me Jean Paul Gaultier (JPG) cone bra vibes, so I’ve paired it with my favourite JPG vintage mesh top and a pink satin shirt (worn as a skirt) because I like how the textures play together. I’m a silver jewellery girlie so the hardware on this corset also complements my Mugler necklace.

@candy_brat

Liv Brown, she/her, personal stylist

I am obsessed with these knee-high metallic boots. When I saw them online I couldn’t resist, even though I had absolutely nowhere to wear them until my best friend had a hen’s party and the theme was ‘a touch of drama’. These were the perfect shoe for a dramatic outfit.

I styled them with a metallic jacquard kimono sleeve dress to add some extra drama but I can’t wait to wear them more casually. I’m thinking under some wide-leg jeans with a singlet, or with an oversized T-shirt dress and a bold lip in summer. The metallic trend is so fun, I will never say no to an accessory [or] clothing piece that is a bit extra.

@rattle_style

For more on the metallic trend, head here.