Now, hang on a second. Wasn’t it just a few months ago that we were all whispering about ‘quiet luxury’? You know, those muted tones and anonymous cashmere coats meant to exude old money without so much as a logo? And now, suddenly, it’s bling again everywhere?
This constant swing – understated minimalism one moment, unapologetic extravagance the next – is exactly what makes fashion so gloriously irrational. It requires a certain suspension of reality and loves an overstatement here and there. It doesn’t ask for logic. It demands a shrug and a ‘Why not?’
Modern fashion’s ‘ages’ are fleeting, less like the Victorian era and more like an Instagram story: here one minute, gone the next. A fashion age can last a single season. Or sometimes, just a single awards show.
Fashion, unlike an op-ed writer reluctant to repeat herself, openly embraces its cyclical nature. If there’s one thing fashion loves more than claiming new trends, it’s rehashing old ones. From Cleopatra to Kareena Kapoor, women have been stepping into golden outfits that could blind bystanders for centuries – simply because they were in the mood to shine.
Alexander Mcqueen creation, spring 2025
But here’s the kicker: while metallics may feel like a spontaneous glitter explosion, the fashion industry operates like a well-oiled machine. Designers, brands, and tastemakers plan these ‘trends’ months in advance before they hit runways and, eventually, markets.
So, what’s behind this golden moment? Could it be rebellion? After years of neutral palettes and grey tracksuit chic (thanks, pandemic), maybe we’re collectively craving a little sparkle.
But not too much. Mind you, this still doesn’t feel like a shouty kind of bling, despite its blindy-ness. It’s bling with manners. Take this season’s red carpet: metallic-threaded gowns with intricate detailing that shimmer, not scream.
Think gilded goddesses – Nicole Kidman in shimmering one-shoulder Balenciaga, Demi Moore in golden Armani, and Mindy Kaling in Ashi Studio, all blinged out yet exuding quiet confidence.
Perhaps no one captured this mood quite like Alexander McQueen’s banshee from the 2025 Fall-Winter collection. As she trailed down the runway last October in metallic threads that moved like light itself, she became an ethereal figure – both futuristic and hauntingly ancient. Angelina Jolie embraced this stunning (though hard-to-carry-off) number for her Golden Globes moment.
Metallics aren’t just for galas anymore. Fashion blogs are showing how to pair a silver top with jeans, or rock gold sneakers for a morning coffee run. Metallics are being called the new neutral.
And why not? It’s a new age, and the rules are forever being mixed up – for good. Gold, silver, and white offer that rare combination of drama and versatility. They’re equal parts Cleopatra’s throne and C-3PO’s polished frame. Yes, even a Star Wars droid can teach us something about timeless style. Because fashion, like the movies, loves a good reboot.
So here we are, basking in this gilded glow. For now, metallics are for everyone, and they are everywhere. They’re lighting up red carpets, casual brunches, and everything in between. This age will pass, as all fashion ages do. But for the moment, let’s embrace the shimmer.
Shine on, my friends. Shine on.
