Long associated with evening wear and the occasional party heel, chrome shoes have recently stepped into the daylight. The high-shine metallic arrived on the spring runways in peripheral flashes—from sculptural shapes at Alaïa to embellished takes at Calvin Klein and pointy brogues at Jil Sander—making a compelling case for silver as an everyday essential.

Whether rendered as a statement heel, a barely-there ballet flat, a streamlined chrome sneaker, or a hybrid of both, silver brings an unexpected versatility. It sharpens monochrome looks in black, white, and gray, while lending a cool contrast to pastels and bold hues alike, from poppy red to electric blue. The result is a new neutral with a distinctly forward tilt. Here’s how we’re wearing them now.

The Sneaker

One of our favorite ways to wear silver is in the form of a sneaker. Add a chrome style to a monochrome black and white look for some extra zing.

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The Ballet Pump

Take a polished all-gray look out of office-only territory by adding a shining silver ballet pump, and a hit of red—the Simone Bellotti way.

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The Slingback Heel

Silver pairs surprisingly well with delicate pastels, as seen on the runways at Alaïa and Tory Burch. Here, it’s illustrated with silver pumps with a diaphanous pink midi.

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The Sandal

Up the ante on a sleek, neutral dress with a pair of silver sandals and bold black extras.

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The Sneakerina

Add warmth to a silver shoe with richer colors, like red and chocolate brown.

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The Ballerina

For an off-duty look with a little extra oomph, add a pair of silver ballerinas to jeans and a floral blouse.

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