Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Metal colour trends for 2026–2027 are moving towards warmer, more muted and darker tones: bronze and dark antique, gunmetal instead of pure black, satin and brushed gold instead of mirror yellow, and the deliberate mixing of two metals in one style. Highly polished gold and cool mirror silver are not disappearing, but they are giving way to surfaces with less shine and more character. Below is each direction with specific codes from the Polkom colour chart.
This is a qualitative overview based on what we see in fashion and in accessories for furniture, bags and footwear, not on statistics. The aim is to help you choose tones for your next collections.
Why metal colours are changing
Metal accessories follow the general direction of fashion. When fabric palettes become more earthy and muted, bright metal starts to look out of place, and brands look for tones that blend with the fabric instead of competing with it. Buyers also increasingly value garments that look good for a long time – and muted, satin and antique finishes age more gracefully than mirror ones. So the change is not only aesthetic but also practical.
1. Bronze and dark antique
Bronze is warm, brownish and calmer than brass. It suits earthy palettes – camel, chocolate, olive, rust – which remain strong in coats and knitwear. Antique bronze (PK-M05) is versatile, while dark antique bronze (PK-M34) gives an almost brown-black metal that looks expensive without shining. For a lighter option, see PK-M81 Light antique bronze, and for a smoked effect PK-P30 Smoked antique bronze.
2. Gunmetal instead of black
Gunmetal is a dark grey metallic tone with a slight sheen. It is softer than black and does not look like plastic, which is why it is increasingly replacing black in urban, technical and menswear. Gloss gunmetal (PK-G02) works on jackets and bags, and dark gunmetal satin (PK-M46) on coats, denim and knitwear. It also suits unisex collections, where gold is too “feminine” and silver too cold.
3. Satin and brushed gold
Gold stays, but with less shine. Pale gold satin (PK-M66), light gold satin (PK-M69) and brass satin (PK-M70) have a soft sheen and look refined on beige, white and pastel fabrics. Brushed tones such as brushed antique brass (PK-P37) add texture and look more artisanal. This kind of gold is easier to combine with other metals, because it does not dominate.
4. Mixed metals
Combining silver and gold, or gunmetal and brass, is no longer a mistake but a design choice. Example: antique silver (PK-M57) for the buttons and antique brass (PK-M73) for the buckle and the cord ends. To make the mix look intentional:
- choose one lead metal and one accent;
- repeat the accent in at least two places so it does not look accidental;
- keep the surfaces similar – two antique tones or two satin tones;
- avoid mixing a mirror and an antique finish in one detail.
5. Muted pink and copper shades
Rose gold continues in womenswear, but in a more matte and powdery version. Rose gold satin (PK-M12), matte salmon pink (PK-M13) and antique rose copper (PK-M27) are calmer than mirror rose gold and suit knitwear, lingerie and accessories. Copper is also returning in heritage clothing, especially denim.
6. Patina and worn surfaces
The desire for objects “with a history” is making worn and patinated finishes popular: worn antique brass (PK-M77), worn antique silver (PK-M80), worn antique gold (PK-M06), and for bolder collections copper with green patina (PK-P15) or blue patina (PK-P35). They suit vintage, boho and handmade styles and have a practical advantage – wear from use is barely noticeable.
What remains a classic
Not everything is changing. Antique brass remains the main tone for denim and outerwear, satin silver for shirts, knitwear and children’s clothing, and black for uniforms and formal wear. These tones are a good base to which you add the new directions.
The trends in brief
| Direction | Character | Example codes | Suitable products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze and dark antique | warm, earthy, refined | PK-M05, PK-M34, PK-M81 | coats, knitwear, leather goods |
| Gunmetal | urban, technical, unisex | PK-G02, PK-M46, PK-M09 | jackets, denim, bags |
| Satin and brushed gold | soft, light, luxurious without shine | PK-M66, PK-M69, PK-M70, PK-P37 | dresses, blazers, bridal fashion |
| Mixed metals | designer, individual | PK-M57 + PK-M73, PK-G02 + PK-M66 | coats, bags, belts |
| Muted pink and copper | feminine, soft | PK-M12, PK-M13, PK-M27 | knitwear, lingerie, accessories |
| Patina and worn | vintage, artisanal | PK-M77, PK-M80, PK-P15, PK-P35 | denim, boho, handmade |
How to introduce the trend without risk
- Core range and capsule. Keep classic tones such as antique brass and satin silver for the core styles and test the new tone in a capsule collection.
- All metal parts at once. The new tone must be the same on the metal buttons, snap buttons, buckles and cord ends. Choose one code and repeat it.
- A sample before deciding. Dark and muted tones look different on screen and in person. Approve only from a physical sample.
- Brass or zinc alloy. With satin and antique tones the base metal changes the colour. Always give the full code with the letter B or A.
- Think about repeat orders. If the tone is a success, you will order it again – keep the approved sample as the reference.
All these tones – from bronze to gunmetal and gold – are nickel free, like all Polkom metal finishes.
New tones from the manufacturer
Polkom is a manufacturer of buttons and metal accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags with over 30 years of experience. Choose tones from the colours and finishes and write to us via the contact page – we will prepare samples for your next collection.
