How to Wear the Metallic Trend over 40

Metals and fabric with metal threads as well as metallic looking fabrics have fascinated humankind since the Antique. New industrial techniques made them affordable for evening in the last century and later for everyday. Having seen metallic over the decades and how it was styled, we can quickly step into a routine and end up looking old-fashioned and Old Lady because the styling is not up-to-date. This post answers the pressing question how to wear the metallic trend over 40 now.

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History of Clothing with Metallic

Clothing with metallic treats have been around for more than thousand years. However, in antique and the medieval times, only the Nobility and Rich wore these clothes because the threads were namely real gold. The price and Sumptuary Laws prohibited these garments for Jane and John Doe.

Early in the 20^th century, cheap metallic threads and colors became available. As a result, gold, silver, copper, and rose-gold clothes, shoes and bags became affordable for mid-class women in the evening fashion of the 1920s.

Metallic in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s

From the 1950s to 1970s, lame sweaters were worn for special occasions, and festive attire for the holiday season. Typically, these sweaters had just a subtle thread that gave the black, gray or beige sweater some festive, mystic touch. Of course, as kids, we adored these sweaters! If we felt lucky, we got one for Sunday’s Best in red with gold or silver or in pink with silver foil lame.

In the late 1970s, 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 1980s Metallic Became Mainstream in Daywear

In the 1980s, 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 creating stripes with thin gold lame thread.

I spent most of the 1990s 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.

Stylist tip: Don’t fall into an old style rut when a trend is around again.

What Type of Metallic Clothes Do Work?

To look modern and ageless

Try a metallic or brocade with metallic treats classic trench coat. More on what to look for in a trench coat.

Wear a classic blazer or cardigan with metallic foil in the weave or solid metallic with khakis or jeans.

Pair jackets, skirts or low-shine leather pants in metallic with other neutrals.

Wear metallic shoes, sandals or bags instead of the non-metallic neutrals during the day.

A day dress in metallic silk or with metallic embellishment or embroidery.

Mix metals in jewelry.