London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Sep 19, 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
England Tightens School Food Standards With Restrictions on Deep-Fried and High-Sugar Foods
Oxfordshire Village Votes Symbolically to Leave UK Over Proposed Asylum Centre
Michael Marra Elected Leader of Scottish Labour
BBC Cash Reserves Fall Sharply as Financial Pressures Mount
George Osborne Calls for UK to Rejoin EU Customs Union
UK Explores Joining Canada-Led Global Defence Bank
Thirlwall Inquiry Highlights Management Failures Surrounding Lucy Letby Crimes
Parliamentary Committee Calls for New UK Law to Address AI Risks to Human Rights
UK Considers Giving Regional Mayors Greater Oversight of Water Companies
UK Opposition Presses Burnham for Stronger Response to Russian Security Threats
Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over £72 Million in Donations as Political Finance Rules Tighten
Millisecond Software Failure Behind UK Air-Traffic Outage That Cancelled More Than 2,000 Flights
Bank of England Holds Interest Rate at 3.75% as Energy Prices Complicate Inflation Outlook
Burnham Warns of Difficult Choices in October Budget as UK Inflation Rises to 3.1%
Addison Lee Founder Loses £20.5 Million Non-Domicile Tax Case
BrewDog Creditors Face Heavy Losses After Collapse
Thirteenth Metropolitan Police Officer Dismissed Over Charing Cross Conduct
Oxfordshire Village Votes Symbolically to Leave UK Over Asylum Accommodation Plan
NHS Approves Life-Extending Treatment for Women With Incurable Breast Cancer
Software Defect Blamed for Major UK Air Traffic Disruption
Twenty Women Underwent Unnecessary Mastectomies at County Durham NHS Trust
British Steel Costs Taxpayers £1.3 Million a Day as MPs Demand Long-Term Plan
UK Parliament Advances Sovereign Grant Reform Setting Royal Funding at £99.9 Million
King Charles Urges Human-Centred Approach to Artificial Intelligence at Scotland Summit
House of Lords Begins Scrutiny of Voting-Age and Political Finance Reforms
UK Labour Market Shows Growing Divide Between Younger and Older Workers
Nearly Seven in 10 UK Small Businesses Delay or Cancel Growth Plans as Costs Rise
Andy Burnham Reaffirms UK Net-Zero Target Amid North Sea Energy Debate
UK Parliament Demands Credible Financial and Decarbonisation Plan for British Steel
MPs Urge Government to Reject Thames Water Rescue Deal and Prepare Special Administration
Bank of England Holds Rate at 3.75% as Energy Shock Raises Inflation Risks
TUC Calls for Social Energy Tariff Funded by Higher Taxes on Bank Profits
UK Parliament Enters Conference Recess After Advancing Sovereign Grant Legislation
King Charles Hosts Artificial Intelligence Leaders at Dumfries House Summit
Nearly Seven in Ten UK Small Businesses Delay or Cancel Growth Plans as Costs Rise
Anthropic Details Malicious Use of Claude in Cyber, Weapons and Influence Operations
McLaren Announces £500 Million UK Investment and 1,000 New Jobs
Scotland and Wales Sign Cardiff Agreement to Deepen Cooperation on Shared Policy Priorities
UK Government Moves to Fully Fund Teacher Pay Award as Strike Threat Recedes
UK Competition Regulator Deepens Scrutiny of Microsoft’s Business Software and AI Market Position
NHS England Reforms Focus on Cutting Waiting Lists and Improving Digital Care
England Maintains Mandatory Housing Targets in Push for 1.5 Million New Homes
UK Government Plans Statutory Industrial Strategy Council to Strengthen Long-Term Economic Policy
Asthma Charity Warns of Major Gaps in Childhood Diagnostic Testing Across England
TUC Chief Paul Nowak Appointed to Bank of England Court
Bristol Opens £35 Million Deep-Tech Innovation Hub at Temple Quarter
Oxfordshire Village Votes Symbolically to Leave UK Over Asylum Housing Plan
Andy Burnham Deepens UK Defense and AI Cooperation With NATO and Canada
UK Government Announces Neonatal Safety Reforms After Thirlwall Inquiry
Bank of England Weighs Rate Decision as UK Inflation Rises to 3.1%
×