Metals and fabric with metal threads as well as metalic looking fabrics have fascinated humankind since the Antique. New industrial techniques made them affordable for evening in the last century and now for everyday. This post answers the pressing quetion how to style metallics and not look like trying too hard.

Contents

40+ women have seen metallic trends come and go
How to wear metallic the new way
What type of metallic clothes do work
Explained example outfit
What doesn’t work
Take home message

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

40+ women have seen metallic trends come and go

Clothing in metallics or with metallics have been around for more than thousand years. However, historically they were reserves for the aristocrats and the rich, not Jane Doe. In antique and the medieval times, the threads were namely real gold. In the last century, procedures made cheap metallic threads and colors available. Thus, now gold, silver, copper and rose-gold clothes, shoes and bags became affordable for mid-class women. Clothes in these colors were first reserved for special occasions.

We 40+ and 40++ gals saw the lame sweaters of our moms in the late 60s, early 70s. Just a subtle thread gave the black, gray or beige sweater some festive, mystic touch. Of course, as kids, we adored these sweaters! If we were lucky, we got one for Sunday’s Best in red with gold or silver or in pink with silver foil lame.

In the late 70s, the Bohemian Style Indian dresses, skirts, vests and tops with gold painting were just awesome. I had a skirt-top-vest outfit and a dress in this style.

In the 80s, full-on lame dresses, golden or silver jackets and tops came up for going out and some gold stripes made it into everyday wear. I recall having knitted a winter white sweater with stripes. These stripes where in the same yarn as the entire sweater, but with thin gold lame thread added.

I spent most of the 90s in East Germany after the unification. East German women of all ages loved everything with crystals and metallic, while I run around in the all black 90s’ uniform with an Euro Chic twist.

Having seen metallic over the decades and how it was styled, one can quickly step into a routine and end up looking old-fashioned and Old Lady because the styling is not up-to-date.

Don't fall into an old style rut when a trend is around again. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet

How to wear metallic the new way

In the Millennium years, metallic became a neutral and fully integrated into day wear. This means you style it the same way how to wear neutrals. The photos below show outfit ideas for silver pleated skirts, pencil skirts, pants and a golden skirt and coat for various seasons.

fashion influencer in golden leather skirt with denim jacket — Back view of outfit with Escada skirt, Star denim jacket, Dooney and Bourke structured tote, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps, and Ray Ban sunglasses (all own)

midlife style blogger in silver leather pants — Silver leather pants, Anne Klein sweater, and D&GM sunglasses (all own) for a posh, but edgy street style look. This outfit became *Streetstyle of the Week*

stylist in Mother's Day outfit with zebra coat, golden skirt — Back view of Max Mara zebra-print goat hair coat, BeBe golden distressed asymmetric leather skirt, Ivanka Trump ankle strap pumps, and Yes St. Laurent bag (all own)

mature style blogger wearing silver leather pants — Silver leather pants with glacier blue GNW Luxe cashmere wool sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, gray belt and Harley Davidson booties (all own)

stylist wearing a golden leather trench coat — Golden leather Burberry trench coat with Burberry plaid blazer, Jaeger tote, Anne Klein pumps, Ray Ban sunglasses (all own) and winter white V-neck dress c/o Lookbook Store

Alaskan blogger wearing a dress with metallic beads — Mesh dress with silver colored beads worn over a double layer sundress with patent leather tan and black T-strap Neo Tango shoes for going out dancing (all own)

midlife blogger in silver skirt, scuba cropped jacket, open-toe pumps with shark Pippa bag — T. Tahari jacket, DIY brooch, Chanel leather skirt, blue graphic tee, Anne Klein pumps, Modalu Pippa bag (all own)

style book author in street chic layered mesh skirt, pink heels, black graphic tee, and silver frock — Keep Calm Let the meteorologist handle it T-shirt, suede gemstone buckle belt, Esprit bag, silk neckerchief, Herve Leger silver cropped leather biker frock, dangling earrings (all own), pink Ivanka Trump heels c/o Wikibuy, and double mesh layer skirt c/o Lookbook Store

over 50 years old woman in silver pleated skirt — Star denim jacket, silver pleated skirt, unbranded V-neck T-shirt, and black pumps (all own)

midlife stylist in silver leather jacket over abstract print dress — Herve Leger silver leather jacket, Banana Republic abstract floral print dress, crocus petal Coach top handle bag (all own) and Ivanka Trump pink suede pumps c/o Wikibuy

fashion blogger in blush mesh skirt, pink shoes and belt, graphic tee and silver biker jacket posing at a silver wall — Graphic T-shirt, suede long belt, Esprit bag, silk snake print neckerchief, Herve Leger silver biker jacket, dangling earrings (all own), Ivanka Trump pointy toe pumps c/o Wikibuy, and double layer blush mesh skirt c/o Lookbook Store

golden leather trench coat outfit for a rainy day — Golden leather Burberry trench coat with GNW tights, Steve Madden fall sandals, AMS umbrella (all own)

Gold leather shorts with black shirt and Mary Janes — Gold shorts with GNW tights, Great Northwest button-down shirt, Steven Mary Janes

Like these outfit ideas? If so, please feel free to pin them to your own Pinterest board.

What type of metallic clothes do work

To look modern and ageless

Go for a trench coat in one metallic color or in brocade. Style it as if it were a neutral color. Actually, it is. See this post for what to look for in a trench coat.
Wear a blazer or cardigan with metallic foil in the weave or solid metallic with khakis or jeans.
Low shine leather pants, jackets or skirts in metallic with other neutrals look sophisticated and understated in simple, clean cut style with minimal accessories.
Wearing metallic shoes, sandals or bags as neutrals during the day is so chic.
A day dress in metallic silk or with metallic embellishment or embroidery.
Mixing metals in jewelry is so chic.

For inspiration on how to wear metallic shoes see the photo outfit inspirations below.

over 50 years old fashion blogger wearing metallic silver pumps with white jeans and a motorcycle jacket — London Jean white denim boyfriend jeans with Brooks Brothers sweater, Jacket Society motorcycle jacket, Jaeger tote, Ralph Lauren silver pumps, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and DIY pendant necklace (all own)

street style blogger wearing metallic sneakers — Moda International leather pants with statement belt (gift from my husband), Oliveo chambray shirt, Burberry Brit trench coat, Jaeger tote, silver Puma sneakers (all own), and Akoya pearl necklace c/o The Pearl Source Inc.

blogger Nicole in white boyfriend pants, gold trench coat and silver sneakers — Burberry gold colored leather trench coat with London boyfriend white denim jeans, silver Puma sneakers, and Jaeger tote (all own)

Explained example outfit

I originally bought this skirt for dancing as the pleats make for a nice twirl when spinning. However, since pleats are eternal classic I put the skirt in the every-day rotation. Here I styled it the edgy street style way with sneakers and a denim jacket, graphic Tee and a statement necklace worn Jenna Lyons style – over the jacket. I added a scarf and designer bag in a similar color as the Tee.

stylist in pleated skirt with sneakers — R&ZR pleated skirt, Great Northwest denim jacket, graphic print T-shirt, statement necklace, Adidas sneakers, Jord men’s bamboo watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle (all own), hand-painted silk scarf and green leather bag both c/o Uno Alla Volta

What doesn’t work

Stay away from

Styling metallic clothes like in previous decades unless you go to a theme party or are dressing for Halloween.
Wearing patchwork clothes in this trend. Cinderella alert!
Wearing metallic clothing with bright colors except the metallic items are the shoes. This means a little red dress with silver or gold pumps for date night out is awesome, but an outfit of a golden tunic top with black leggings and red patent leather pumps is looking like you are trying too hard.
Big metallic prints on T-shirts just look cheap. Looking cheap is never ever in style. #how2havestyle Click To Tweet
Metal overload of embellishment/embroidery on one clothing item or more in one outfit. The curb is not Star Wars. Well, and you are not dressing as a knight for a Mid Evil Festival either, but for the street.
Silver, gold or copper stockings are a no-no at any age. You are not an Alien or a robot!

When you like outfit tips like those in this post, and want styling tips for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

Take home message

Metalics at day are a safe bet when paired with neutrals, but when paired with bright, bold colors make the colors the statement and reserve the silver/gold/copper for the shoes, belt or bag.

You can find other fun outfit inspiration with silver leather pants in the post at this link.

If you found this post helpful, please let your friends know so they get the tips too.
See how to wear metallic over 40. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet
Do you wear clothing with/in gold, silver or copper for day or only for evening wear? Do you wear them as a neutral? Do you wear silver and gold together? How do you style it? What are your styling challenges?

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Photos: G. Kramm