I don't know about you but my winter shoe shuffle goes something like this: brown boot, black boot, brown boot, black heel – ouch – sneaker. Hooray, weekend!
But as we approach the last (official) month of winter, it's time to inject a little sparkle into your shoe wardrobe.
![You don't have to be walking the red carpet to make silver shoes work for you. The key is choosing the level of bling ...](/web/20160719153326im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/3/2/x/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gpyan3.png/1468896206970.jpg)
Enter the metallic flat, the smart woman's alternative to the white sneaker when she feels like being that little bit more adult (ie at work) but not quite feeling like a boot or a black lace-up (cue school shoe vibes).
With styles ranging from brogue to mule and loafer, the metallic shoe – particularly in silver – is a great trans-seasonal staple, giving a high-shine contrast to neutral outfits and makes some brights pop, especially yellows, blues and greens. Personally, I would avoid wearing them with reds and oranges but this is definitely a shoe that warrants experimentation, so dive on in.
![Metallic shoes look spring fresh with white, or with a metallic skirt for a tone-on-tone look.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160719153326im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/3/2/l/m/image.imgtype.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.png)
Metallic shoes look spring fresh with white, or with a metallic skirt for a tone-on-tone look. Photo: Frazer Harrison
Who's doing it
The silver sneaker is one of the favourite off-duty shoes for celebrities popping out for a coffee, or pounding the streets of Manhattan, in the case of Girls creator Lena Dunham. Jessica Alba has several pairs of metallic kicks, including a pair of gold Converse Chuck Taylors and the space-age Gerard Darel velcro numbers pictured here.
![Dynamite with denim ... Jessica Alba wears a silver velcro sneaker by Gerard Durel.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160719153326im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/3/2/l/f/image.imgtype.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.png)
Dynamite with denim ... Jessica Alba wears a silver velcro sneaker by Gerard Durel with boyfriend jeans. Photo: Getty Images
![Lena Dunham shows that just because you like a vintage look up top doesn't mean you can't rock a metallic loafer down below.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160719153326im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/3/2/l/j/image.imgtype.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.png)
Lena Dunham shows that just because you like a vintage look up top doesn't mean you can't rock a metallic loafer down below. Photo: Raymond Hall
How to wear it
Remember, a shoe that pops as much as a metallic flat is going to draw attention downwards. Keep that in mind when you're choosing your top – by all means go all out but people will be looking at your feet.
A metallic shoe is also a great pair with an ankle-length pleated skirt, like an exclamation point at the end of a long sentence.
And of course, it's the perfect shoe for a pair of three-quarter navy pants for the office, or your off-duty denim.
![For something a little different, try wearing a silver flat with pretty ankle socks.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160719153326im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/3/2/m/1/image.imgtype.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.png)
For something a little different, try wearing a silver flat with pretty ankle socks. Photo: Thomas Lohnes
Where to get the look
If you're new to the metallic shoe brigade, try a softer interpretation of the look, such as this trainer by Superga. If you're already comfortable with a bit of bling below the ankle, then why not experiment with a dressier style, such as this brogue from Kurt Geiger. Want to go the full mirror ball effect? Then these Alexander McQueen platform sneakers are your go-to shoe.