This spring, sophistication and glamour hit the runways with a new trend: glistening shades of metal.

The gaudy gold belt with the big buckle that your grandma used to wear has morphed into trendy purses, shoes and sleek belts in new and unusual colors. Teens and college students in Lawrence have picked up on this flashy fashion.

“I like it because it is more glamorous,” says Free State High School senior Natalie Lesnikowski. “And you don’t see it on the street every day. It is something special to wear.”

Lesnikowski owns many pairs of shoes in metallic hues and wears them for day and evening.

Metal shades are useful because they add a subtle shine. In shoes, bronze, gold and silver can draw much-needed attention to the feet. They can be worn for a professional look or just for a night on the town. The muted tones are the most practical, but glitzy golds and silvers are great for parties. Braided, studded or plain, shoes in metallic shades come in flats, heels and sandals and dress up any outfit.

But the trend isn’t just shining on shoes. Woven metallic belts look great around the hips or over a longer sweater. Going for a Greek goddess look? Try metallic leather panels and rivets. Skinny braided belts are fun for a more refined look. All of these styles make a statement when rendered in metallic shades.

Some metallic chemistry should be avoided, however. Lesnikowski advises against both mixing metals and wearing a gold belt.

“If you are going to wear a belt,” she says, “wear silver, because gold is tacky.”

The most prominent accessory in metallic shades is the purse. They’re more fun to wear than boring brown leather, and they’ll catch and reflect the spring sunlight on a sunny afternoon. A silver clutch looks cute with a black dress. Bronzes and more muted tones are economical buys that always will be in style. However, don’t just choose the most practical colors: Many stores are selling metallic shades in candy colors perfect for brightening up a dark outfit this spring.

“It’s really eye-catching,” says Brandy Stratton, a Lawrence High School senior who just bought a new gold purse. “I usually wear more downplayed comfortable clothing with dark colors, so I felt like I needed something eye-catching and more individual that people would notice.”

You, too, can jump on the metallics wagon, making a subtle statement or a bold splash with accessories that say “bling.”