How silver trousers became winter 2024’s glam-chic statement look, with Dior, Sacai, Simone Rocha, Rotate Birger Christensen, Isabel Marant – as well as Madonna and Beyoncé – hopping on the sparkling trend

Dec 19 , 2023

Silver trousers have made a triumphal return for the first time since the 90s, with Dior, Sacai, Simone Rocha, Rotate Birger Christensen, Isabel Marant (pictured) – as well as Madonna and Beyoncé – hopping on the trend. Photos: Handouts

As the mercury drops and trousers inevitably replace skirts and dresses, traditional navy and black slacks are also being replaced by silver.

Yes, you read that right: look-at-me, Martian-esque silver trousers are a major look for winter 2023-24 and if the front rows of various European fashion weeks were anything to go by, they’re far more stylish than we’ve previously given them credit for.

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The trend arrived in a three-pronged attack – first, designer brands like Rotate Birger Christensen, Isabel Marant and Dior all released silver trousers. Next, American Vogue decreed it the trouser style of the year. Then, as a cherry on top, two major icons – Beyoncé and Madonna – let the metallic style dominate their global tours.

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The masses followed almost immediately, although if you’re not a single-name international icon you’ll need to avoid the ‘I’ve covered my legs in tin foil’ look. Doing this comes from thinking both about the cut of the trousers and what you style them with.

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The last time silver trews were in fashion was the 90s, when they dominated Helmut Lang’s iconic collections. Back then, like now, they were cut in a straight-leg style, which gives a high-wattage look like this one far more nonchalance than a skinny leg ever could.

In fact, designers today have gone even more voluminous than anyone did 30 years ago: at Isabel Marant, metallic trousers were almost balloon shaped, while Sacai has reflective bell-bottomed styles, and Simone Rocha remade cargo pants in the shade du jour.

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Bell-bottomed and other voluminous styles are in, as seen in these trousers from Rabanne

“Silver has an almost unique quality to it, which means that it’s both wearable and stand-out – it’s head-turning but if you wear it right, then it’s not ‘too much’,” says stylist Arabella Greenhill. “It’s also still unexpected, which is what I love about it – I’ve never wanted to dress in a generic way and this is a good way of avoiding that.”

Ideal for December’s party season, they are also the perfect item for anyone who feels uncomfortable in a flouncy dress but who still wants to nod to the glamour of the festive season. “Lots of people secretly hate party dressing,” says Greenhill, “but in stand-out trousers and a simple top, you can trick yourself into thinking you’re in your normal clothes.”

Mint Velvet shows how to pair silver trousers with a casual top for a more chic, less over-the-top look

In terms of styling, try to think of silver in the same way you would a print – in other words, best paired with black, white, beige or denim.

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This means that outside of concerts and fashion shows, the best way to wear silver trousers is to pair them down: an item of clothing with this much razzle dazzle doesn’t need a low-cut top or a pair of stilettos competing with it.

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Instead, an oversized white shirt with a black blazer works in warmer temperatures, while a chunky jumper is a great way to transition silver trews into winter. Because many of the more fashionable styles come with a certain bagginess to them, they tend to look better with either a simple black strappy heel or a ballet flat, as trainers can look too relaxed.

Mostly, they demand a lot of attention – wear them right, and they (and you) will get it for all the right reasons.

Fashion

Last hot in the 90s, silver trousers are a major look for winter 2023-24, with Dior, Sacai, Simone Rocha, Rotate Birger Christensen and Isabel Marant all hopping on the trend just in time for the party season
Madonna and Beyoncé have rocked the metallic shade – but you don’t need to be a single-name global icon to pull off the bold look, as long as you take some styling considerations into account