top of page
Writer's pictureginaelisebradbury

The Height of Silver Style

With silver a key s/s '23 trend, let's take a look at how to wear silver with style


A strong current trend, and one that can be tied into #mermaidcore, is metallics. Whilst countless fashion editorials have pointed to metallics, Vogue have pointed more specifically to silver for the s/s '23 season. Vogue have even listed "silver linings" as one of the top ten trends for this spring and summer. (vogue.co.uk, 31st March 2023) This is hardly surprising considering the amount of silver dresses seen on recent red carpets and the fact that silver is a universally flattering and striking option. Whilst #metallic materials, and silver in particular, have had a strong presence for a few years now, the current focus seems to have reached an all time high:


"one unofficial rule is that metallics and silvers are reserved for the festive season, but don’t get much airtime beyond New Year’s Day. In 2023 that idea is getting turned on its head, as silver was a theme that dominated the spring collections, including the likes of Gucci, Versace and Chanel." (Emma Spedding. vogue.co.uk, January 2023)


"Sequins, crystals, lamé, gloss, satin and metallics — silver in particular — have had a commanding presence in fashion since 2021, but the obsession with reflection has reached incredible new heights on runways, red carpets and sidewalks alike this season." (Cassidy George. wmagazine.com, 21st March 2023)


Below are some of my favourite of the recent catwalk and red carpet examples:



A silver mini dress at the Brandon Maxwell Spring '23 ready-to-wear show.
A silver mini dress at the Brandon Maxwell Spring '23 ready-to-wear show. (vogue.com)

A sparkling silver cutout dress with a hood and cape. Part of the Zuhair Murad S/S 2023 Couture Collection.
A sparkling silver cut-out dress featuring a hood and cape. Part of the Zuhair Murad S/S 2023 Couture Collection. (zuhairmurad.com)

I love these silver trousers and boots. Part of the Spring 2023 Couture Collection by sustainable designer Ronald Van Der Kemp.
I love these silver trousers and boots. Part of the Spring 2023 Couture Collection by sustainable designer Ronald Van Der Kemp. (vogue.com)

Sheila Atim in silver Prada at the 2023 Bafta Awards.
Sheila Atim in silver Prada at the 2023 Bafta Awards. (harpersbazaar.com)

Heidi Klum wore an ultra shiny silver dress by Kate Barton to the 2023 Fashion Awards.
Heidi Klum wore an ultra-reflective silver dress by Kate Barton to the 2023 Fashion Awards. (buzzfeed.com)

Silver features heavily in 16Arlington's current creations. This silver sequin top and midi skirt is part of their Fall '23 ready-to-wear collection.
Silver features heavily in 16Arlington's current creations. This silver sequin top and midi skirt art part of their Fall '23 ready-to-wear collection. (vogue.com)


Silver dresses are far more than just the style of the moment. For me, silver ties into my love of #1930sglamour; metallic dresses appeared frequently as a sartorial choice for 1930's Hollywood actresses. Also, Vogue have recently described silver as "less obvious than gold, more daring than black" and the "cool-girl option for spring". (vogue.co.uk, 31st March 2023) With these points in mind, it's hardly surprising celebrities including Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Dua Lipa and Camila Morrone have frequently turned to glamourous silver outfits over the years.


Betty Grable wearing a metallic gown in the late 1930s.
Betty Grable wearing a metallic gown in the late 1930s. (flickr.com)

Kate Moss in a vintage style silver look for the 2019 Met Gala.
Kate Moss in a vintage style silver look for the 2019 Met Gala. (sassydaily.com)

Sienna Miller wore a silver lamé gown to the New Museum 2019 Spring Gala at Cipriani Wall Street.
Sienna Miller wore a silver lamé gown to the New Museum 2019 Spring Gala at Cipriani Wall Street. (elle.com)

Dua Lipa behind the scenes of her 2020 music video 'Levitating' wearing a sparkling silver dress.
Dua Lipa behind the scenes of her 2020 music video 'Levitating' wearing a sparkling silver dress and silver eye makeup. (vogue.co.uk)

Camila Morrone shows her love of silver glamour at the 2022 Oscar's Vanity Fair Party.
Camila Morrone shows her love of silver glamour at the 2022 Oscar's Vanity Fair Party in an Alexandre Vauthier gown. (vogue.com.au)


For me, another connection that silver fashion brings to mind, and that further cements silver as a "cool-girl option", is the 'space-age' fashion trend of the 1960s. In the YouTube video below, Ursula Andress can be seen fully embracing the futuristic 1960's metallic look.




Space-age '60s fashion designed by Pierre Cardin. He helped to spearhead the trend with his silver vinyl designs.
Space-age '60s fashion designed by Pierre Cardin. He helped to spearhead the trend with his silver vinyl designs. (edition.cnn.com)

At the 2019 Met Gala Sienna Miller paired a silver dress with 1960's style eye makeup. I love this combination.
At the 2019 Met Gala Sienna Miller paired a silver dress with 1960's style eye makeup. I love this combination. (vogue.co.uk)


With a combination of retro and modern glamour in mind, here are my picks of the most striking and glamorous silver items, ranging in price, to wear this spring and summer:



Princess Polly Beryl maxi dress in silver. £49.
A simple and chic option from Princess Polly. Beryl maxi dress in silver. £49. Click image for link.

A silver leather-look 1960's space age mini skirt by Frame from Harrods.
A silver leather-look mini skirt is the perfect way to bring back 1960's space-age fashion. This one, by Frame, is £310. Click image for link.

Reiss Eva sequin cape one shoulder mini dress. Also available in dark blue. Reduced from £228 to £90.
Reiss Eva sequin cape one shoulder mini dress. Also available in dark blue. Reduced from £228 to £90. Click image for link.

Silver sequin fringe cross back midi dress from Glamorous. Reduced from £68 to £48.
Silver sequin fringe cross back midi dress from Glamorous. Reduced from £68 to £48. Click image for link.

Carolina Herrera silver sequined midi dress. £5,910.
Carolina Herrera silver sequined midi dress. £5,910. Click image for link.

Topshop long sleeved chevron beaded fringe mini dress in silver. £250.
Topshop long sleeved chevron beaded fringe mini dress in silver. £250. Click image for link.

I love the light gun metal colour of this maxi dress. Topshop Curve metallic cut and sew maxi dress in silver.
I love the light gun metal colour of this maxi dress. Topshop Curve metallic cut and sew maxi dress in silver. Reduced from £65 to £55.50. Click image for link.

Warehouse crackle faux leather straight trousers in silver. Reduced from £89 to £66.75.
Warehouse crackle faux leather straight trousers in silver. Reduced from £89 to £66.75. Click image for link.

Manière De Voir vegan leather metallic corset top in silver. £59.99.
Manière De Voir vegan leather metallic corset top in silver. £59.99. Click image for link.

Norma Kamali asymmetric ruched gown. £196.
Norma Kamali asymmetric ruched gown. £196. Click image for link.

Magic VIP silver luxe dress with fringe and sequins from Nazz. Available in four colours. £99.
Magic VIP silver luxe dress with fringe and sequins from Nazz. Available in four colours. £99. Click image for link.

River Island silver metallic twist neck bodysuit. Reduced from £35 to £15.
River Island currently have a wide range of stylish silver items available. I love this silver metallic twist neck bodysuit. Reduced from £35 to £15. Click image for link.

This silver sequin dress is super fun for the party season and is available in a fairly wide range of sizes.  ASOS EDITION Curve paillette sequin mini dress with faux feather hem in silver and lilac. Reduced from £120 to £90.
This silver sequin dress is super fun for the party season and is available in a fairly wide range of sizes. ASOS EDITION Curve paillette sequin mini dress with faux feather hem in silver and lilac. Reduced from £120 to £90. Click image for link.

Norma Kamali belted lamé gown in silver. £198.
I love the 1930's style of this Norma Kamali belted lamé gown in silver. £198. Click image for link.

Naked Wardrobe mock croc glam longline gloves in silver. £45.
Naked Wardrobe mock croc glam longline gloves in silver. £45. Click image for link.

New Look silver metallic ring chain clutch bag. £21.99.
New Look silver metallic ring chain clutch bag. £21.99. Click image for link.

Pisces silver croc heeled sandals. Available in 3 colours. Reduced from £49 to £28.
Pisces silver croc heeled sandals. Available in 3 colours. Reduced from £49 to £28. Click image for link.



Let me know which of the silver items you like the most in the comments. Also, what's your take on silver as a s/s trend? Do you prefer another metallic colour or to not wear metallics at all? Thank you for reading, Gina.




Writing Sources


Article by Cassidy George. 21st March 2023. https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/metallic-shimmer-fashion-trend

Article by Ellie Pithers and Joy Montgomery. vogue.co.uk, 31st March 2023.

Article by Emma Spedding. 6th January 2023. https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/silver-trend



Non-Linked Image Sources



YouTube Video Link




Recent Posts

See All

コメント


bottom of page