Metallics are no longer just gold and silver; get ready to sparkle as shiny vibrant colours are making a statement this season.

 
Ranging from cobalt blue to baby pink and tropical orange, this trend is hot for the summer and these eye-popping colours will get you in the mood for every garden party this year.

High shine has already hit the celebrity world, with Beyoncé recently being spotted in a two-piece Topshop dazzling pink outfit and Emma Watson and Angelina Jolie sporting the trend at the latest Oscars red carpet. Emma wore a rock ‘n’ roll gunmetal shade dress which featured a mermaid skirt, while Angelina wore a silver shimmering gown with pink mesh sections incorporated.

 

Shiny metals stole the show majorly on the SS14 catwalk and they’re stretching into next season, with designers such as Julien Macdonald producing a collection for AW that shows it has been hugely influenced by hot metal. A particular dress from the catwalk show is a flamboyant pink bodycon and has intricate curved small panels detailed across it; this showcases the future of the colourful metals.
 

On the high street it’s all about combining metal with embellishments. Topshop has released skorts in floral prints with metallic orange woven throughout as well as a jacquard embellished skort. They also feature a rose gold textured tee with a zip embellishment. River Island have also embraced metallic and a staple item is their limited edition rose gold metallic leather biker jacket and accessory shops such as Dune are selling shiny turquoise pointed toe court shoes.
 

Metallic first became popular in the 1930s and were often combined into ball gown dresses. Fabrics woven with thin metallic yarns were used to create an old Hollywood glamour style. Throughout the 40s, metallic progressed to different garments such as leather coats, which actress, Ida Lupino, was seen wearing. In the 50s metallic one-shoulder cocktail dresses became popular and metallics were even incorporated into the paper dress trend in the 60s. For Versace AW94 collection, most models wore matchy-matchy gold, pastel blue and pink metallic short skirts combined with cable-knit roll necks and this is one of the most iconic designer collections influenced by the metallic trend.

If you want to dive straight into this trend, grab a fitted two-piece outfit or match a gold skirt with a brightly coloured jumper and pair with a bag featuring the same colour as your jumper (we suggest cobalt blue), and combine with gold embellishments such as zips, jewellery and heels. On the other hand, if you only want to dip a toe into this trend, start by accessorising. Rose gold and gunmetal clutch bags can be combined perfectly with any outfit or perhaps slip on a pair of dazzling silver stilettos, but if you want to be even more subtle, polish your nails with a metallic striking silver, sparkling pink or thunderbolt blue.
 

If you have a boyish figure, the best way to wear this trend is a plain metallic dress that has cut out features at the waistline to give the illusion of curves. If you are pear-shaped or round, combine this trend with a loose flowing top that has metal features around the neckline and if you have an hourglass figure try the two-piece trend as this will show off your curves.

 

 Fashion stylist, Kalee Hewett, has this tip: “My favourite look on the SS14 precious metals catwalk was a gold leather pencil skirt and colour block sweater!”

Shimmer up your wardrobe in time for summer by adding a dash of metallics. This ‘it’ trend will definitely not fizzle out anytime soon.