The 8 Rules of Wearing Metallics in 2025

The key to styling sequins for day is all in embracing the motto “opposites attract.” Pair that party-ready skirt with your coziest, comfiest oversize knit to balance out all that sparkle. You can then use your accessories to tip the scale more toward fancy (with black pumps and a velvet handbag) or casual (with retro sneakers and a leather crossbody) depending on what your day has in store.

True, we haven’t considered this a fashion “rule” for ages, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be deployed on occasion as a chic styling trick. By adding two small pops of metallic to an otherwise casual outfit, it becomes a running theme throughout your look rather than a singular statement piece. You don’t have to get too crazy with exact matches either, just stick with either two silver, two gold or two bronze pieces rather than mixing and matching your metallics.

Who knew shimmering silver pants worked so well with casual denim? I’ve seen this combo so many times during fashion month and beyond, and definitely plan to add it to my winter wardrobe rotation ASAP. I find this works best if you opt for a darker wash denim with minimal distressing over lighter washes. Keep your shoes, bag and top simple—plain comfortable sneakers, a white tee and a sleek clutch are all great options—to allow your silver pants to really steal the show.

Gold can be somewhat trickier to wear for daytime than silver, but it looks absolutely brilliant (pun intended) when paired with shades of beige, warm browns and creamy winter whites. Start small with a statement bag or shoes before graduating to bigger pieces, like a gold blazer, mini dress or pair of pants.

On the flip side, silver looks absolutely gorgeous when worn with shades of gray. Even better, a gray sweatshirt or cotton tee can make a patent silver skirt or pants feel totally appropriate for daytime events. To really play up the casual vibes, keep your accessories to a minimum and opt for simple shoes like pointy-toe flats or a sporty sneaker.

By far the most popular footwear trend in NYC right now, silver boots are actually easier to pull off than you might think. They add such a fun flair to any outfit, but don’t feel quite as out of place with a casual oversize button-up or flowy dress as, say, sparkly party heels. The most versatile options are either ankle boots or a western style, both with a block heel. The mix of such a utilitarian silhouette with a bold color helps to balance both, leaving you with a pair of boots that can easily mix with casual basics, workwear staples and party dresses.

If sequins feel just too bold for every day, try a silver or gold lamé instead. Lamé is a type of fabric that weaves together metallic threads with matte ones (like silk or nylon) to create a more subtle shine than the metallic would have on its own. It can feel much more understated than leather or sequins, making it easier to pair with simple basics like cotton tees and crewneck sweaters.

It may seem counterintuitive, but one way to make a standout piece, like gold boots, feel less bold is by pairing them with other equally bold pieces, like vivid colors or busy patterns. Take the above outfit, for example. Dark-wash blue jeans and a matching denim jacket would have made for a gorgeous backdrop for gold boots, but the less expected vibrant green hues are attention-grabbing on their own, helping the boots to blend more seamlessly into the look.