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| Isaac Mizrahi’s gold metallic hooded anorak is made of cotton, polyester, and nylon, $169.50, www.theshoppingchannel.com. |
Metallics (gold, silver, pewter, bronze), like leopard prints, tweeds, plaids, etc., are perennial favorites, beloved by designers and customers alike. And with good reason. They are timeless, season less, and versatile, and can be considered as a neutral. And just a touch goes a long way in spicing up a look and adding interest. Of course, the use of metallics is hardly new and quite frankly, it seems regardless of the season (be it fall/ winter or spring/ summer), they always manage to show up in one form or another. It was hard not to notice their appearance for spring 2014, whether used sparingly as an accent (as at Dries Van Noten), or in almost head to toe incarnations (at Lanvin and Rochas).
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| Dries Van Noten gold metallic vest spring summer 2014 |
While I love silver, I consider myself to be more of a gold person (could it be that once one begins to notice those silver hairs, the idea of gold is more appealing? LOL). In addition to sculptural, bold gold jewelry, I am always on the lookout for a great gold jacket or coat, which I consider to be an investment. They look great in the spring or summer paired with white, tan, or khaki; in the winter, they rev up black like nothing else. And regardless of the vagaries of the ins and outs of fashion, there’s nothing like a flash of gold in the form of a great piece of outerwear; particularly if it’s sleek and simple, or sporty and utilitarian, so that it can be worn day and evening. What is more festive and special? The look is particularly timely since we are in the holiday season. And really, on a dark, dreary winter day when everyone else is in black, what could be better than stepping out in a gold parka? “Oh! what fun”!
Of course, I always love vintage, which is one of a kind, and among the pieces currently available, are an Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche gilded gold calfskin coat, $1550, http://www.1stdibs.com/fashion/clothing/jackets, and a 1960’s old stock gold leather double breasted belted trench, http://www.rubylane.com/, $195.
As for pieces that are readily available at retail or online:
Kate Spade’s sleek Tayla coat is made of gold cotton, viscose, and faux leather, and features 4 patch pockets, $748, www.katespade.com.
DKNY’s sporty gold metallic leather zip front bomber jacket has black rib knit trim, $895, www.dkny.com.
Joe Fresh’s down filled gold nylon puffer jacket has a detachable hood, $149, www.joefresh.com.
