The Dictator | Tips on how to wear metallic fabrics, and brooches

Lame. As in the fabric pronounced lah-may, which is woven with metallic fibres. The two words are used interchangeably by people who don't know better. Lurex is a brand name for the metallic yarns used to produce lame, as well as other fabrics such as brocade. Metallic threads have been used across the world for centuries but this season, it's all about wearing it in different contexts. See Loewe's knee-length, high-neck, long-sleeve dress in gold silk/triacetate (HK$26,600), Alice + Olivia's gold silk/polyester maxi (HK$5,190) or Lela Rose's gunmetal grey cotton-blend midi (HK$10,875; net-a-porter.com Going shorter would be risky. If you're low on funds, you'll find cheap alternatives at local trendy shops In & Out, Update Fashion and Isai for as little as HK$69.90. Prefer to draw attention to your top half? Try MSGM's fantastical sleeveless top adorned with long strands of multicoloured, metallic yarn (HK$3,400). We're in love with Simona Tagliaferri's gold-tone, distressed leather short vest and long cape (HK$5,400 and HK$8,800, respectively; Joyce, Pacific Place, Admiralty). Isabel Marant has infused metallic threads into paisley silver-tone tops and jackets (HK$5,500 and up). And Topshop does a perfectly 1980s metallic knit top for only HK$559.