Put On Your Metal

It’s funny how fashions come and go; there really is nothing new under the sun. I remember when metallic accessories were tacky, worn only by Toorak madams – wealthy ladies of a certain age who lunched – along with helmet hair and copious amounts of jewellery. Gold shoes were a particular abhorrence of mine.

And yet, here I am, a decade or so later, owning a pair of said gold shoes, trimmed in brown snakeskin. They are one of the few pairs of flat sandals I own. I like their thin, delicate soles; they make me feel a bit dainty.

As for gold and silver Glomesh (the Australian version of metal mesh bags): they are the quintessence of 70s disco and I have in my possession no less than three purses: the long clutch in this picture, a little silver pouch and a larger gold pouch. Add to that one gold mesh belt, and one silver that was bought from an American seller on eBay.

 The silver belt drapes so sinuously it’s like a caress on the skin.

The silver belt also works as a very slinky divalicious necklace, although it would best set off by a plunging neckline à la Jennifer Lopez’s famous green Versace gown. The silver belt drapes so sinuously it’s like a caress on the skin.

What is it about all this gold and silver that appeals to me now? I do prefer the glamorous 70s jetset connotations to vulgar 80s bling – Bianca Jagger, Studio 54, Halston – all that sort of thing. It’s an easy segue to the kind of minimalism I like: the silver belt/necklace would look fantastic with a white gown, hair pulled back, all futuristic and space-agey – 90s version rather than 60s.

But simply, it’s the shine I like – like a magpie I am attracted to it – and the cool touch of the cold metal as it warms up on your skin.

So shine, slink, decadence; as far from a Toorak madam as possible. 

Read about the tragedy of the bling-bag here.