How silver trousers became winter 2024’s glam-chic statement look, with Dior, Sacai, Simone Rocha, Rotate Birger Christensen, Isabel Marant – as well as Madonna and Beyoncé – hopping on the sparkling trend

Dec 19 , 2023

Silver trousers have made a triumphal return for the first time since the 90s, with Dior, Sacai, Simone Rocha, Rotate Birger Christensen, Isabel Marant (pictured) – as well as Madonna and Beyoncé – hopping on the trend. Photos: Handouts

Last hot in the 90s, silver trousers are a major look for winter 2023-24, with Dior, Sacai, Simone Rocha, Rotate Birger Christensen and Isabel Marant all hopping on the trend just in time for the party season

Madonna and Beyoncé have rocked the metallic shade – but you don’t need to be a single-name global icon to pull off the bold look, as long as you take some styling considerations into account

As the mercury drops and trousers inevitably replace skirts and dresses, traditional navy and black slacks are also being replaced by silver.

Yes, you read that right: look-at-me, Martian-esque silver trousers are a major look for winter 2023-24 and if the front rows of various European fashion weeks were anything to go by, they’re far more stylish than we’ve previously given them credit for.

Isabel Marant has gone big with metallic-hued trousers ideal for the festive season

The trend arrived in a three-pronged attack – first, designer brands like Rotate Birger Christensen, Isabel Marant and Dior all released silver trousers. Next, American Vogue decreed it the trouser style of the year. Then, as a cherry on top, two major icons – Beyoncé and Madonna – let the metallic style dominate their global tours.

The masses followed almost immediately, although if you’re not a single-name international icon you’ll need to avoid the ‘I’ve covered my legs in tin foil’ look. Doing this comes from thinking both about the cut of the trousers and what you style them with.

Beyoncé’s viral Renaissance tour is credited with stoking the silver fashion trend

The last time silver trews were in fashion was the 90s, when they dominated Helmut Lang’s iconic collections. Back then, like now, they were cut in a straight-leg style, which gives a high-wattage look like this one far more nonchalance than a skinny leg ever could.

In fact, designers today have gone even more voluminous than anyone did 30 years ago: at Isabel Marant, metallic trousers were almost balloon shaped, while Sacai has reflective bell-bottomed styles, and Simone Rocha remade cargo pants in the shade du jour.