Every so often, a discussion pops up among fashion nerds as to what constitutes a “new neutral.” That is to say, something that has typically been considered a trend piece or a statement item but has transitioned into the utterly non-noteworthy realm of the everyday. A second qualifier is that, like a pair of blue jeans, it can be worn with damn near anything—not just those traditional neutrals (black, white, navy, brown, camel, cream) that once made it “work.”
The vibe is it goes with nothing, therefore goes with everything—an anecdote to the mentality that you don’t want to invest in certain statement pieces, because you supposedly can’t wear them on repeat. Animal print is a good example from seasons past: Once the Scary Spice cliché of gaudiness and flamboyance, it now feels highly mix-and-matchable. It’s true of Khaite’s python-embossed leather, it’s true of Jil Sander’s zebra print, and (as both designers will certainly tell you, with a nod toward their gold and silver footwear) it’s very true of metallics. So go ahead and peruse these shiny picks, snap up your faves, and prepare to wear them again and again.
