How silver got sophisticated: Never mind naff party sequins… discover how tin foil fashion can light up your look

If you had asked me a year ago if silver would make its way into my wardrobe, I would have said only if a forgotten fancy dress party would see me reaching for Bacofoil.

In my mind, silver conjured up images of Christmas holiday themes, which, frankly, are underwhelming.

But a new, sleeker, more sophisticated kind of silver has caught my eye – and the attention of both high street labels and designers including Balenciaga and Rick Owens.

The silver you are looking for should have a tin foil finish. You want to look like a perfectly wrapped picnic sandwich.

Much more suitable than its festive cousin and suitable for any occasion (not just the holiday season), you can find everything from trousers to heels that look like they’re made of aluminum – without a not-so-flashy thread in the eye.

Jacket, £129, neverfullydressed.com; T-shirt, £30, riseandfall.co; trousers, £35.99, zara.com

Strapless dress, £45.99 zara.com

Cowboy boots, £300, cos.com and trainers, £109, whistle. com

Unlike the tin man, don’t go for silver from head to toe. The easiest way to wear it is to invest in a stylish piece for a focal point and wear it with a simple knit top, avoiding any hint of fancy dress.

Black and white are brilliant with silver, but gray and blue work well too. A silver jacket, like Never Fully Dressed’s cropped style, £129, brings some excitement to an otherwise casual or dark outfit; it’s perfect with plain black pants and a white t-shirt.

Mint Velvet’s wide-leg silver leather pants are outstanding, both dressy and surprisingly versatile. At £299, they’re not cheap, but they’re an investment piece you’ll wear for many years to come.

Marks & Spencer’s metallic foil miniskirt, £99, will look just as good with opaque black tights as it does with bare legs. Mango has a slightly shorter version for £35.99, while you can go longer at Karen Millen for £55.

Blazer, £265, blouse, £155, and earrings, £50, jigsawonline.com; trousers, £299, mintvelvet.com; shoes, £25.99, zara.com

Leather blazer, £479, whistles.com and midi skirt, £55, karenmillen.com

There are also dresses here, such as Zara’s strapless design, which look great, although they are harder to work into your everyday wardrobe.

However, if the silver pants or the armor skirt don’t appeal to you, don’t worry. The easiest way to join the trend is through shoes.

I prefer a flat like a ballet pump, but trainers and boots work great in silver too. If you’ve got the money to invest, Camilla Elphick’s £230 cross-strap flats are as comfortable as they are beautiful.

Blazer, £169, mintvelvet.com; jumper, £29.90, uniqlo.com; skirt, £99, marksandspencer.com; shoes, £230, camillaelphick.com

Vegan leather trench, £189, neverfullydressed.com and slip dress, £19.99, zara.com

Cargo pants, £59.99, zara.com and mini skirt, £35.99, mango.com

And even small touches update the look. I never thought I would see the day when you would give me away from my gold ornaments, but now I am exchanging silver rings, earrings and necklaces.

Just make sure that, this season, every outfit has a silver lining.