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At Yokono, we've spent several seasons watching metallics move from an occasional treat to just another wardrobe staple. We're no longer talking only about the party shoe we pull out once a year, but about a sandal that pairs with jeans, with linen and with floral dresses just as any neutral would. And the question you ask us most is always the same: gold or silver?

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Gold and silver, two ways to shine

Gold has a warm, earthy, almost sunlit shine. It recalls bronze, wet sand, the end of a summer afternoon. That's why it connects so well with earth tones, the chocolate brown, beige and off-white we already know are having a moment this season. It's a metallic that softens and warms any look, without ever shouting.

Silver, on the other hand, is a cool, clean shine, closer to ice or moonlight. It brings a futuristic, sophisticated edge that works wonderfully with black, pure white, greys and blues. If gold embraces, silver sharpens and defines. Neither is better than the other, they simply tell different stories.

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How to choose for your skin tone

Here's the trick that really makes the difference. It's not about whether your skin is fair or dark, but about its undertone, that is, whether it leans warm or cool.

Warm undertone

If your skin has golden reflections, if beige and camel suit you, and if gold jewellery has flattered you your whole life, gold is your natural ally. It enhances the skin's own glow rather than competing with it, which is why a gold sandal almost always looks tailor-made.

Cool undertone

If your skin has pink or bluish reflections, if black and white suit you better than beige, and if silver has always flattered you more than gold in earrings or rings, silver will be your best companion. It brings luminosity without disturbing the natural balance of your skin tone.

Neutral undertone

And if you don't fully identify with either of the two cases above, congratulations, you have free rein. A neutral undertone takes both metallics without friction, so here the choice comes down entirely to your wardrobe and the look you want to build.

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Gold or silver, depending on your look

For everyday

If you're after a sandal that goes with everything, gold usually wins in summer. It pairs naturally with earth tones, denim and floral prints, and adds that subtle point of shine that takes no effort.

For monochrome and evening looks

Here silver takes the win. With a head-to-toe black, white or grey look, a silver sandal adds just the right contrast, that cool glint that turns a simple outfit into something with more intention for the evening.

For boho and Mediterranean-inspired looks

Gold is the one again. It pairs organically with raffia, esparto and natural leather, and reinforces that warm, handcrafted air so characteristic of bohemian styles.

For minimalist, clean-lined looks

Silver fits best with quiet luxury. Its cool, restrained shine doesn't compete with the rest of the outfit, and adds a touch of quiet sophistication to more pared-back pieces.

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And if you don't want to choose?

There's no need to give up one for the other. Many of our customers have both in their wardrobe and alternate them depending on the plan, the rest of the look or even the mood of the day. What matters is being clear about the role you want the metallic to play: if it's going to be the star, choose the one that best matches your skin; if it's going to accompany other pieces with more character, let the rest of the look decide for you.

In the end, gold or silver isn't a question with a single right answer. It's a matter of knowing your skin, listening to your wardrobe and choosing the shine that best represents you. At Yokono you'll find both metallics in different styles, so all that's left is to decide which of the two you want by your side this summer.

Beatriz Varó Ferrando

Author

Beatriz Varó Ferrando

Product manager / Design department / Ecodesign

A product designer at Yokono with more than 15 years of experience in footwear design and development. Beatriz is the one who decides on the shapes, materials, and finishes for each collection before they hit the stores, and she brings that firsthand knowledge to the blog.

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