Don’t laugh but you can wear Lurex
THE full-sized, replica rocket ship placed smack bang in the middle of Paris’s grand Palais hinted at what might be to come.
A science fair? An engineering conference? No. A catwalk show. Chanel, to be precise.
Since that show in March, fashion has gone mad for anything space-age. We’ve had molten knitwear and dresses (Christopher Kane), Barbarella-inspired crystal-encrusted moon boots (Chanel again), and even chainmail (Paco Rabanne).
Thankfully, though, on its re-entry from the somewhat alien planets of the international catwalks back on to the High Street, these metallic looks have morphed into something more wearable.
For those of us who like a bit of shine, but aren’t so keen on looking like an astronaut, there’s a fab, slightly more understated new way to do metallic — and that’s Lurex.
Lurex is absolutely everywhere this winter and it’s easy to see why. It gives a lustrous and sophisticated matte finish to metallics, and you can dress them down in the day and up at night. (It can’t be just me who finds sparkly clothes make me feel better about getting out of bed in winter).
The gorgeous, ruffle-sleeve laminated T-shirt from Uterque (£78, uterque.com) is exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about. It’s demure enough to wear peeping out of a jacket all day, yet also sparkly enough for a party.
It will work in a low-key way with jeans or, alternatively, dressed up with a tight black skirt and heels.
STAYING with Uterque for a moment (it is doing Lurex well, it must be said), you could also try its wonderful slouchy blue knit for £120. It is a statement piece on its own, so all you need to do is throw it over black trousers and go.
H&M also have a futuristic Lurex knit (now £25.99, hm.
com). Offset the voluminous cut with slim, black trousers. It will glisten gorgeously in a mood-lit restaurant.
As the Maison Scotch jumper (£115, anthropologie.com) shows, you need only a flash of Lurex to elevate one of this season’s Seventies-inspired knits. Add a black pleated skirt and you’re ready.
Mango’s glittery trousers, (£29.99, mango.com), are a slightly more interesting way to do grey. And frankly, there is nothing more joyous than a comfortable drawstring waist come vol-au-vent season. They’ll look chic at a party with a plain white or black blouse and heels.
While I think touches of Lurex generally work best on neutral shades — black, navy and gunmetal grey — I have to make an exception for a rainbow skirt (£34, topshop.com).
The Lurex dulls the shine to a grown-up gleam and the midi length is universally flattering. You’ll get a lot of wear with this one. Pair with a white shirt and metallic heels for an evening look, or any T-shirt and black ballet pumps for the daytime.
And how’s this for a subtle flirt with the Lurex trend? Socks. Topshop has a kaleidoscope range, for £3.50 each.
In fact, you can spend barely anything and still enjoy a touch of sparkle. Take the pretty glitter twist headband from New Look (£4.99, newlook.com) — at that price it’s a fashion risk you can afford to take.
Such is the popularity of Lurex that it’s even reached our feet. We have to thank Chanel and those moon boots for inspiring a veritable meteor shower of options.
The glitter shoes from Mango (£35.99, mango.com) are a comfortable day option to pair with a black or navy suit. Its glitter sock boots for £49.99 will look amazing with a midi skirt.
And slip on a bargain pair of gold court shoes (£19.99, new
look.com) for instant dazzle. So, let’s give thanks to Lurex, the sugar-spun metallic wonder thread that gives a gentle sprinkling of space dust to outfits — and ensures glitter is for grown-ups, too.