Katie Trotter: Balance sparkle with simplicity to shine in metallics

Metallics never seem to leave the trend pages. Popping up with a fair bit of razzle-dazzle and panache on the runway season after season, they seem to look great on the models with their Amazonian legs, but in reality, most of us tend to avoid anything attention-grabbing in our choice of daily dress.

Why? Well, lets face it, anything with a "come hither" connotation makes most of us slightly uncomfortable. You have got to be on top of your game to make sparkles work. In other words, nothing else can be out of place. Everything has to be just so in order for the whole thing to work.

Regardless, what to us may seem dated, not to mention a little attention-grabbing, just happens to be new again, so let's give it a go.

Now, I am very much aware that fashion isn't for everyone. In fact to most, the whole thing can seem rather ridiculous, never mind intimidating - especially the trends. There is a point, of which I am very aware, when fashion crosses the line and goes from fancy to fancy dress, and I am pretty sure that dressing head to toe in anything metallic is heading in that very direction.

So, I encourage you to stand your ground on this. Head-to-toe gold or silver says enough on its own, so the key to pulling this off is to keep everything else understated. There's a very fine line between looking elegant and looking a little trussed up, so follow the less-is-more principal when it comes to shoes, accessories and handbags.

Think clean lines, and when it comes to your shoes, choose something that blends with your skin tone. Let's start with a few rules. If you are not normally partial to a bit of bling, don't give it a whirl. Think of things as a cheerful extension of your wardrobe rather than a wild card. After all, it's important to feel like yourself.

If you don't want to sport head-to-toe shine, then take notes from the designers who have cleverly taken key elements from the trend rather than whole look. Diane von Furstenberg took a classic approach to the trend with a more muted tonal palette and Phillip Lim looked back to the 90s with a slightly more exciting, grunge-inspired collection.

My advice: try flashes of the trend, such as a metallic skirt paired with a simple jumper, or a silver collar paired with black slim-cut trousers. In general, pink, coral and buttery cream look great with gold and white, while black and grey work with silver.

Generally speaking, anything sparkly makes even the most boyish of figures appear bigger, so be very aware of your body type. Wherever you are biggest, stick to a solid colour and play to your slimmest part with the metallic reference.

The key is to not see too much of it: three-quarter length sleeves rather than full-length work, as do trims rather than full garments. Remember, metallics are one of those trends with a whole lot of rules - ones that very much need following - so know your game and tread carefully.

Read The National fashion blog All Dressed Up here.