There are some corners of the fashion world that continue to be profoundly polarizing. Perhaps you are a devoted partisan of skinny jeans or a loyalist to baggy silhouettes; maybe you are a staunch believer in crewneck sweaters or an unwavering champion of the V-neck. Perhaps your handbag philosophy dictates that you exclusively carry itty-bitty mini bags, or conversely, massive maxi totes. But as the winter holiday season approaches and festive parties begin to fill up social calendars, the urgent need for a perfectly glitzy outfit brings up one of the most contentious debates of all: Are you team silver, or team gold?
Metallics, after all, remain an unshakeable pillar of holiday style. Whether it takes the form of a shimmering floor-length gown, a bejeweled shoe, or a pair of high-impact statement earrings, dressing for the season’s round of celebrations is the ultimate moment to shine bright quite literally. The only problem is that picking a metallic shade can swiftly divide a room. Admit it: You are either steadfastly choosing disco ball-worthy silvers, or you are decking yourself out in gorgeous, glimmering golds. There is virtually no middle ground—except perhaps for rose gold fans, though spotting them in the wild feels akin to encountering a mythical unicorn.
This writer, for one, has been a longtime silver fanatic. There is something undeniably alluring about an icy, chrome-like piece that has always paired more harmoniously with a mostly black, slightly rock-and-roll wardrobe. A silver-sheen boot or a chunky silver necklace feels sleek and edgy, perfectly matching a preferred clothing aesthetic. Golds, by contrast, can sometimes feel too cheery and summery for the moodier winter months. As it turns out, this sentiment is far from isolated. After polling several colleagues for their thoughts on the enduring silver-versus-gold debate, it became clear that many are firmly in favor of cool tones as well.
“I have never and would never wear anything gold,” says senior editor Corey Seymour. “Gold just seems so look-at-me, while silver is relatively restrained and subdued. My Brooklyn-Italian wife is very pro-gold, but we’ve agreed to disagree.”
Max Berlinger, senior fashion news editor, echoes this anti-gold rhetoric from a slightly different angle. “Because it’s a bit more low-key, I think you can buy chunkier pieces,” he says of his precious silver staples. “I have a silver curb-link bracelet that I wear every day from Tiffany & Co., and even though it’s a bigger piece, the silver makes it feel casual. I would never wear the same thing in gold.”
Yet the recent spring collections presented on the runways would beg to differ. The newest designer showcases went all-in on gold with an intensity that cannot be ignored. At Saint Laurent, designer Anthony Vaccarello conceived an entire collection around sunny metallics, sending striking pieces down the runway such as foiled trench coats paired with dainty stiletto sandals. Labels like Ralph Lauren showcased sweeping gold pleated slip dresses, while Dolce & Gabbana leaned heavily into 1980s maximalism through a flurry of chunky gold accessories. For diehard silver lovers, the message of the season is unmistakable: It is officially time to consider going for gold.
As the outfit planning for this year’s holiday festivities officially begins, the question naturally arises: Can one genuinely convince themselves to switch it up? Is it possible to trade in comfortable, reliable silvers for something a little more glamorous and gilded?
Even as someone who has long avoided wearing gold, the pros are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. There is an undeniable allure to the eye-catching hue. It feels inherently more opulent and bold—two adjectives that serve as the holy grail for holiday dressing. Furthermore, it looks exceptionally luxe when styled with sleek black satin or leather looks, much like the approach taken during the Schiaparelli show, where models wore enormous golden sculptural necklaces against dark fabrics. Traditionally, that exact pairing of dark silhouettes is how silver is deployed. Perhaps crossing over into gold is not quite as drastic of a stretch as it initially appeared.
In the past, another primary fear associated with embracing gold was the suspicion that it was entirely wrong for certain skin colorings—specifically, that it leans far too warm for someone with a paler complexion. However, as recent catwalks have amply demonstrated, there is remarkable versatility within the broader spectrum of shades of gold. One can opt for a deep, rich Saint Laurent gold, or pivot toward a lighter, almost beige-like Brunello Cucinelli gold. It turns out that gold can be adapted to work for almost anyone.
The same principle applies to one’s styling approach. Wearing head-to-toe gold, runway-style, is certainly an option, but it is by no means a requirement. One can simply select a single golden hero piece—such as an investment boot or an architectural earring—and still achieve that same upbeat, decadent feel. And at a holiday bash, that is precisely the mood to project: decadent rather than subtle.
Several colleagues agree that gold is surprisingly easy to incorporate into a wardrobe, functioning as a year-round color trend rather than just a seasonal novelty for the office Christmas party. “It looks so much better against skin in my opinion,” says Dana Mendelowitz, vice president of marketing. “Also, hate to state the obvious, but gold is more expensive. And there is a reason people say ‘good as gold’—not silver!”
Meanwhile, senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba has faced professional styling advice advising her away from her preferred metal, yet she remains entirely unswayed. “When I had my season assessed with The Color Guru, she said I was a Moonlit Winter, and it came with some troubling news: I should be wearing silver and white gold,” Anbouba shares. “After a lifetime of dedication to yellow gold, I simply chose to ignore this part of the guidelines. Yes, I have added more shades of magenta, sapphire, and lime into my closet, but I draw the line at silver.”
Clearly, strong feelings persist on this matter, and the final verdict always comes down to personal preference. Yet dipping a toe into the world of gold is not nearly as daunting a proposition as it once seemed. For those who remain truly on the fence, a compelling compromise emerged on the runways this season through mixed-metallic dressing, which successfully combines both silvers and golds into a single, cohesive look. At Thom Browne, a silvery coat-dress featured a golden sewn-in panel along the front, while at Fforme, a glossy pair of silver trousers offered an iridescent gold finish depending on how the light caught the fabric.
As December approaches, the influence of the runways is difficult to shake off, and embracing gold in some capacity feels increasingly inevitable. The key lies in making those golden elements work on personal terms—perhaps by incorporating a gold-accented bolo tie that aligns with a distinct western sensibility. The dream of one day pulling off full-on gilded glamour remains alive, even if it requires the aspirational confidence of style icons like Hailey Bieber and Zoë Kravitz.