When I saw lots of designers reaching for metallic fabrics again this year, I was less than impressed.
Metallic clothes look great on fashion models, probably because they are slim enough to not look like they are wrapped in too-tight tin foil. They also have the advantage of being snappedstrategically so there's no hint of the sweat and cling that metallic fabrics can cause in real life.
But slowly I am coming around to the idea. This year's metallics aren't like the shiny hipster pants you might have worn to a bar in 1998. I once had a pair of metallic pink and silver leopard-print pants in PVC that I thought were pretty cool. But after half an hour of wearing them, my legs felt like they were wrapped in cling film.
Modern metallic fabrics move and feel better, and are more subtle than those of 15 years ago. Think a hint of shimmer rather than a full-on spacesuit.
You could even get away with wearing a metallic fabric to work - team a shiny metallic pencil skirt with a blazer and blouse. For a sophisticated look, stick with silver, black and white.
Or opt for fabrics with a hint of metallic - a gold thread running through an otherwise black blouse.
Why not dress up a pair of well-cut shorts with a metallic T-shirt? A gold tee and some cuffed shorts are perfect for a summer party.
If you're not keen on a part of your body, don't draw attention to it with eye-catching shiny fabric. If you really can't be convinced, pick up a pair of silver or gold pumps - they're an excellent way to add a bit of sparkle to a little black dress.
