London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2026

Why Are Our Clothes so Shiny?

Why Are Our Clothes so Shiny?

From chain mail to lamé, metallic finishes are bringing the party spirit back into fashion this season.

From the revival of ‘90s sportswear on the runways to TikTok’s obsession with Y2K style, we’ve been a bit nostalgic lately. And who can blame us? We’re all longing for better days, before pandemics and work from home was the norm.

One of these nostalgic trends coming back in full force is metallics. From flashy eyeshadow to shimmering swimwear to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's Grammys performance looks, everyone's set on bringing some shine into 2021.



On the (virtual) runways, metallic made an eye-catching impact even through the screen. For Spring/Summer 2021, chain mail, sequins, and metallic leather featured prominently in collections from Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Givenchy, and more. Both as party-ready clothes and for the day-to-day, metallic embraced the flamboyant fashion that we'll no doubt see more of as the world opens up.



If you’ve lived through the ‘80s, when shoulder-padded dresses and blazers were covered in metallic, you may be dreading this comeback. But from ‘60s-inspired classy metallic purses to chic dresses and even activewear, there’s ways to embrace your inner disco girl without looking like New Year’s Eve décor. Here are the top ways this trend is making a comeback.

Disco Pants




The Internet's favorite influencers are getting on the metallic disco pants trend. The pair from celebrity-approved Scandinavian brand Saks Potts are all the rage, as well as others, like from the stylish Danish brand Hosbjerb.

Not-so-Typical Sportswear




Back at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, Bella Hadid showed us she's always ahead of the trends, sporting a pair of metallic cycling shorts with strappy heels, a tee, and diamonds. Making comfy workout shorts glamorous? Yes, this is the energy I'm bringing to the rest of 2021.

Metallic Swimwear




Believe it or not, it’s almost summer. Metallic swimwear is the latest trend to up your bikini game.

Full-Metallic Handbags




Chunky chained bags have become a standalone trend, but full metallic bags go a step further. Paco Rabanne’s been doing its metallic chain mail bags since the '50s, updated this season in a disc shape. At Givenchy, silver embossed leather adds shine to a structured bag.

Metallic Makeup


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
US Judge Pauses Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery Merger Over Antitrust Concerns
NHS England Faces Growing Retention Pressure Among Younger Midwives
UK Data Centre Expansion Faces Water and Grid Capacity Challenges
UK Defence Shares Rise After John Healey Appointment and Continued Spending Commitments
OECD Urges UK Government to Review Pension Triple Lock to Protect Public Finances
Bank of England Keeps Cautious Approach as Energy Costs Threaten Inflation Progress
County Councils Call for Wider Devolution and Long-Term Social Care Funding Reform
IMF Urges UK Government to Maintain Fiscal Discipline as Growth Forecast Slows
Russian Warship Holds Live-Fire Exercises Near UK Coast as Royal Navy Monitors Activity
Mitie Agrees Three Point One Billion Pound Takeover by OCS in Another Blow to London Listings
JPMorgan Chase Warns Bank Levies Could Hit UK Growth and Drive Capital Away
UK Unemployment Holds at Four Point Nine Percent as Labour Market Shows Resilience
UK Government Borrowing Falls Below Forecasts as Treasury Receives Early Fiscal Boost
John Healey Cuts VAT on Household Electricity Bills After Cancelling National Digital ID Scheme
Andy Burnham Forms New Labour Government With Ten-Year National Renewal Plan
EU Imposes Record €550 Million Digital Services Fine on AliExpress
UK Publishes Updated Consumption-Based Carbon Emissions Data
English Regions Prepare for Expanded Devolution and Infrastructure Powers
Russell Group Backs New Government and Calls for Stronger University-Industry Links
Bank of England Maintains Restrictive Monetary Policy Amid Persistent Inflation
Climate Progress Report Renews Debate Over the UK's Net Zero Strategy
New UK Government Launches Drive to End Rough Sleeping and Expand Social Housing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Appoints John Healey as Chancellor in Cabinet Reshuffle
OECD Calls for Structural Reforms as UK Economy Faces Slower Growth
International Monetary Fund Expects UK Economic Growth to Slow to One Percent in 2026
Andy Burnham Takes Office as UK Prime Minister and Unveils Decade-Long Reform Agenda
London’s Housing Starts Collapse as Planning and Building Costs Stall Development
Charlie Sheen’s Daughter: "My Dad Didn’t Buy Me a House, My Breasts Bought It"
Vivienne Westwood Casts Cicciolina, 74, in Its New Autumn Campaign
Dejavu: Germany’s Military Expansion Reshapes Europe’s Strategic Balance With France
Naturally Conceived Identical Quadruplets Born in Rare Brisbane Delivery
Tate Brothers Fight British Extradition Bid After Miami Arrests
Burnham Reshapes Britain’s Government Around Living Costs, Devolution and Security
Jingye Demands Full Compensation After Britain illegally Nationalized British Steel
Just Another Liar or a Robin Hood? Andy Burnham Pledges Cost-of-Living Help in First Speech as UK Prime Minister
Morgan Stanley Builds a Wall Street Lead in AI Infrastructure Finance
High Prices Push Coffee Drinkers Toward Whole Beans and Home Brewing
Trump Draws Boos and Podium Scrutiny at Spain’s World Cup Triumph
Brilliant move: Péter Magyar Moves to Nominate Chess Grandmaster Judit Polgár as Hungary’s President
Spain Defeats Argentina in Extra Time to Win Second World Cup
Police Block Cockroach Janta Party’s March to Parliament as Education Protests Intensify
Current AI Seeks to Build an Open Global AI Infrastructure Outside Big Tech Control
Turkey Explores S-400 Transfer to UAE in Bid to Rejoin F-35 Program
Josh Kerr Breaks Twenty-Seven-Year World Mile Record at London Diamond League
Thames Water Crisis Deepens as South East Water Outages Hit Thousands in Kent
EU Ban on Destroying Unsold Clothing Forces British Fashion Brands to Change Operations
UK Government Confirms Existing North Sea Oil and Gas Licences Will Be Honoured
UK Covid Inquiry Finds Nearly Ten Billion Pounds Lost in Pandemic Protective Equipment Procurement
Thames Water Moves Toward Possible Temporary Nationalisation Amid Rescue Plan Dispute
Andy Burnham Cancels One Point Eight Billion Pound Digital ID Programme After Taking Office
×