When it comes to party dressing, there are a few foolproof ways to shine — no matter the occasion. And this season, celebrities and brands are endorsing a trend that’s pushing us into futuristic territory: foil-like metallics.
Let’s take a look at the evidence: Kim Kardashian sported a silver metallic bikini with a matching jacket and low-rise jeans to a Skims event recently, while Keke Palmer donned a crinkled space-ready blazer dress to Elle Magazine’s Women in Hollywood event in October. The trend was also spotted in A.Potts’ spring 2023 collection, which showed a few foil ensembles, from a sporty co-ord to a dramatic, chrome long-sleeved top, paired with a ball gown skirt. Brooklyn-based designer Kelsey Randall also got on the trend via flirty frocks featuring ruffles, paired with futuristic metallic cowboy boots. Other designers like Alexander McQueen, Alexandre Vauthier and Acne also showcased foil fabrics on everything from flowy gowns and structured tops to minimalist coats. Recent fall 2023 runways have also featured silver metallic accessories, including Copenhagen’s Stine Goya and Theory.
Theory, Fall 2023, New York, Feb 9, 2023
Party-ready embellishments and fabrics have dominated fashion trends for the past few seasons — from body jewelry clothing to feathers and sequins — so this trend is only joining a myriad of possibilities for spring nights ahead.
Yet, unlike the giant paillettes, fringed skirts, and metal mesh garments we’ve seen so far, it offers more wearability. Yes, the fabric choices may be loud and somewhat reminiscent of times in the kitchen, but there are a few styling options that make it safe for the streets. Take a cue from Kelsey Randall, pairing a foil dress with cowboy boots for a daytime-to-nightclub ensemble. Or, sport a silver metallic blazer dress to celebrate being extra – and proud – in one simple garment. If nothing else works, you can always grab actual foil (at your own risk).
Ahead, take a look at some options available to channel the trend this holiday season.
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Kayla Freitas’ love of Titanic — the 1997 Oscar-winning film directed by James Cameron — spans decades. But it wasn’t until five years ago when the San Diego-based content creator, who goes by @travelmomoirs, began collecting items related to the film, which is hitting theaters once again this month. First, it was a news article about the tragic 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic, which inspired the film, signed by survivors. Then, she continued with a replica of the iconic red and black lace dress worn by Rose (played by Kate Winslet) in the scene when she first meets Jack at the railings threatening to jump, as well as a piece of coal from the original ship. “It started with one piece, and then it was like, ‘Oh, I wonder what else I could find,’” Freitas tells Refinery29.
Finally, she stumbled upon the Heart of the Ocean, the stunning navy sapphire and diamond necklace that’s generated a cult following over the last 25 years. “I don’t really know [why I like it] but maybe it’s because everyone’s really mad that she threw it in the ocean at the end,” she says, referring to the movie’s ending, in which the main character Rose drops the necklace into the ocean decades after the tragedy.
This kind of elusive mythology surrounding the necklace is perhaps why it’s become one of the most iconic pieces of fashion in cinema, reappearing constantly in pop culture as its own character in the vast universe of Titanicfandom. On TikTok, the hashtag #heartoftheocean has grown over 20 million views, while on Instagram, there are over 30,000 posts tagged. And it’s not just a piece of memorabilia. It’s typical to find people online wearing the necklace to costume parties, or even on cruises, trying to emulate the beloved love story — or at least, the early 20th century fashion — from Titanic. But they’re not the only ones.
Singer Celine Dion, who is the voice behind the film’s original theme song “My Heart Will Go On,” has sported a version of the necklace a few times. Back in 1998, the Canadian singer wore a $2.2 million version to the 1998 Academy Awards. Later, in 2019, the singer was seen wearing a model by Vetements from the brand’s spring 2020 collection, which was also sported by Carrie Bradshaw in And Just Last That… The necklace also made an appearance in the music video for Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again” in 2000, where an astronaut gifts the pendant to an extraterrestrial Spears.
With such a vast offering of replicas with no official certification of authenticity, fans have to discern for themselves what’s a good enough dupe to buy. Freitas, for example, first found a light blue version that was cheaper than her current model, but she quickly realized she had to upgrade to a replica that actually reflected the movie. “Once you do find [a replica], you have to pay a good amount,” says Freitas, who paid $300 for her version at the Titanic Museum in Las Vegas recently. Meanwhile, Los Angeles-based content creator Lucero, who goes by @lucykiins and had thought about getting a replica for years, finally decided to buy one on a random search through eBay for less than $15.
Recently, Lucero wore the necklace to stage her own version of Titanic inside an exhibition in Los Angeles. Walking through the art deco halls seen in the movie, Lucero wore a replica of the pink dress Rose is sporting as the ship sinks, which she bought for the occasion, along with her model of the Heart of the Ocean. “I remember being on cloud nine seeing the set in person,” she says. “I love how the pictures turned out.”
New York-based Olivia Cheng, who is the designer behind the brand Dauphinette, sold a replica of her own last month. While she’s no Titanic die-hard, Cheng says she stumbled upon it as she sourced vintage costume jewelry for an upcoming project. “It was a little gaudy and super fun,” she says, adding that she bought it at the online antiques store Ruby Lane. Ultimately, she opted to part ways with it: “I sold it to a girl with red hair, which is very apt for the movie.”
For Cheng, the appeal of the Heart of the Ocean has a lot to do with the social context in which the film was released. She references, for example, the blue sapphire engagement ring worn by Princess Diana, who died a few months before the film was released. “Most people didn’t have a connection to her or the Titanic, but people were obsessed with the grandeur of celebrity in a way that I don’t think they are today,” she says. The connection of two tragic stories with a piece of blue sapphire is not lost on Freitas either. “There is a level that you have to maintain to be respectful to all those people who died,” she says. “You can be really interested in it but in a respectful way.”
While Freitas has yet to wear her Heart of the Ocean replica, she exhibits it at her house on a mannequin, along with a replica of a red beaded gown worn by Rose. “It’s kind of like she’s wearing it,” she says.
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Jazmine Sullivan is known for her smooth R&B songs and stunning vocals, but the Philadelphia native, who was once known for her relaxed, girl-next-door aesthetic, has since evolved and become a style savant in her own right. During her 2021 Super Bowl performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, Sullivan donned a white, jewel-encrusted suit with a dazzling crystal headpiece by Area. Her look was so flawless that fans were left speechless by her voice and stunning fashion.
After nearly two decades in the music industry, Sullivan, 35, has walked plenty of red carpets during her career and has always turned heads wearing statement-making looks. But one moment in particular that stood out to us is her look at the 2022 Grammys. Not only did the songstress win several big awards that night, but she wowed viewers in a custom, Black Panther–inspired (and as many pointed out, the look seemed like a nod to the legendary Phyllis Hyman) leather suit designed by renowned designer Christian Siriano.
There are not a lot of plus-sized women in the industry or strutting on camera and so I know I need to show up as myself every single time.
jazmine sullivan
The fashion and music industries have yet to shed light on plus-sized artists, so it’s refreshing to see Sullivan continue to show up as her authentic self and receive the recognition that she deserves.
Recently, Sullivan partnered with Grey Goose to kick off the 65th annual 2023 Grammy Awards for their Grey Goose Essences x Grammys: Sound Sessions at the Grammy museum in Los Angeles.
Sullivan serenaded the crowd by singing tunes from her Grammy Award-winning album, Heaux Tales, and even took it back to the beginning of her career with her first hit song, “Need U Bad,” which had us feeling nostalgic while belting out the lyrics word for word. She donned a red monochromatic ensemble, including a red leather corset with red pants and a matching trench coat. After her mind-blowing performance, Unbothered was invited to chat with the R&B crooner about her favorite Grammy fashion and beauty moments.
Tell us your favorite Grammys fashion moment and what all goes into choosing the right look for the Grammys.
My favorite fashion moment for me was last year. Christian Siriano designed a beautiful pantsuit for me. I loved it. It was leather. I felt really powerful, like Black Panther. I walked in there feeling Black, beautiful, and strong.
Do your hair, makeup, and fashion team all collaborate on the overall theme for your award show looks?
Yes! We have a long text thread. I come in every once in a while because I can’t be bothered [laughs] with every little detail. So if I see something I like, I’ll comment and let them know. But there are a lot of people behind the scenes who make artists pop. I really want to be honest about that, because people seem to think stars wake up like this [laughs]. I want people to know that it takes a lot of amazing people helping us with everything, especially with the fashion looks.
How many looks do you and your stylist go through before finding the perfect one?
We’ll go through about five looks. It helps when you work with someone who knows your body type and pulls items that they know will look good on you. It makes things a lot easier for me.
What advice do you give women who may shy away from wearing certain styles due to their curves or figure?
I’m all about feeling comfortable and doing you. I would never tell anybody of any size what to wear or what’s in or out of style. Literally, whatever makes you feel most confident is what you should wear.
As a Black woman performer and the lack of representation across the music and fashion industries, how important is it for you to show up as your most authentic self? And what does that look like for you?
Oh, it’s super important. Especially because young Black women have to see themselves. There are not a lot of plus-sized women in the industry or strutting on camera and so I know I need to show up as myself every single time. That’s what I think of when I show up on that red carpet. You know it’s not about me. It’s about the young girls looking at me. They are going to feel good about themselves and going to feel like they deserve to be in certain spaces, and feel like they deserve to have the spotlight shined on them because they see someone who looks like them there.
Can you walk us through your skincare routine and tell us the one beauty product you must have in your purse at all times?
Well, I naturally have nice skin [laughs]. But I have just started getting into skincare, with face prep and primers, and especially moisturizers. The older I get, I know it’s all about moisturizing my skin. But it’s a learning process for me. I’m really learning now more than ever that I have to stay hydrated. Drinking as much water as possible is so important to make sure underneath the makeup my skin is healthy. As far as a product, I must have lipgloss and lip balm with me to make sure the lips aren’t crusty [laughs].
(Jazmine’s makeup artist, Maurita, mentioned that she uses La Mer products.)
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Starting a new year is always rough, especially when the winter blues might keep you from being inspired. But fashion has always been a good place to kickstart the dopamine boosts we all need to keep going.
At least that’s the memo coming from our team, who have tried everything from It brands and new styles to warm coats that are keeping us in check for the February temperature drops. Instead of gatekeeping the best items we’ve tried, we’re sharing them below.
From sky-high platforms to The White Lotus‘ Portia-inspired sweater vests, here’s what our team loved in January.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Love, Bonito Coat
“This is probably my favorite winter coat ever. Being petite, it’s hard to find long coats that don’t swallow me up. But this one feels like it’s made just for me. It’s a pristine cream color that can dress up any outfit, but more importantly it actually keeps me warm! And the fur on the outside is cozy and soft. A great investment for your winter collection.” — Breanna Davis, associate social editor
My second favorite thing that I got last month are these wide-leg jeans. I’ve been on a hunt for a good baggy pair after getting rid of all my skinny jeans last year, and many purchases-and-returns later, I found the perfect pair at COS. The fit is just loose enough to work with sneakers for casual outings but fitted enough at the waist to work with a pair of heels for a night out.” — Irina Grechko, fashion director
Nomasei Derby Shoes & Banana Republic Sweater Vest
“For years, I’ve amassed a pretty sizable boots collection, but lately, I had wanted to wear other types of shoes during the winter. As preppy styles are trending, I was ecstatic to try Nomasei’s new Derby model, and I can say they live up to the hype. They’re super practical and functional, but add a little edge to any outfit with their shiny texture. So far, I’ve styled them with trousers, as well as leather shorts (pictured above).
Then, there is the Banana Republic sweater vest I can’t stop layering over every single shirt I own. While at first I was concerned I’d look like The White Lotus‘ Portia, whose mismatched style has polarized fans on the internet, I was happy to discover that the neutral color offered just the right amount of quirky to my outfit. For New York Fashion Week, I’m planning to style it with a shirt dress and a leather jacket.” — Frances Solá-Santiago, fashion writer
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