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This summer, we saw shine everywhere - on shoes both flat and high, handbags, sequined tunics, silk dresses, headbands and more.

Now well into sweater season and muted autumn tones, we might not see bright and shiny influences until holiday parties get into full swing. But when it comes to silver, we might be looking in the wrong places.

Real silver (not just the colour) is popping into new products that are marrying fashion with function.

Produced by Noble Biomaterials, based in Scranton, Pa., X-STATIC is a textile fibre permanently bonded with a silver layer.

It can be used as a filament (a fine threadlike structure) or spun yarn, to be made into garments that are said to have several different benefits.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. and international Special Forces and Olympic athletes from dozens of countries use the silver thread in clothing, for everything from inhibition of odour and fungi to prevention of wound infections.

Stanfield's, an underwear manufacturer based in Nova Scotia, is using the A.M.Y. (anti-microbial yarn) performance yarn by Unifi. Used in its base layer top and bottom for men, the yarn provides antimicrobial performance to extend the life of the garment, says Cheryl Smith, the company's director of merchandising.

Stanfield's also uses an unbranded yarn with silver ions in its Polartherm performance line for men and women.

But silver is not just in fashion, it is also showing up in beauty treatments. EvelineCharles Salons & Spas, a company based in Western Canada, is harnessing the benefits with its recently introduced Nano Silver Cleanser.

"The nano-size particles are one-20th the size of a facial pore, so they go beyond just washing and actually penetrate," explains Cara Cotter, director of product development.

"By deep cleaning the pore, it can remove dirt, excess oil, bacteria and fungi - major contributors to skin problems."

In addition, EvelineCharles says the cleanser kills bacteria, fights acne, provides UV protection, exfoliates, fights age spots, eliminates callus build-up, fights body odour, makes hair healthy and gets rid of stains on hands.

Conair is another company harnessing the power of silver in its Ionic Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Styler and Ionic Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic 1" Straightener.

The patented ceramic tourmaline system unites micro-particles of ceramic and silver to make hair smooth, while the silver ceramic disk provides even heat distribution and helps dry hair from the inside out to minimize heat styling damage.

Ancient Druids, Egyptians, Romans and Greeks might ask what took us so long, as they've long used silver for its powerful restorative, preservative and medicinal qualities. They even entrusted the care of their most precious fluids to silver urns that would keep milk, water and wine fresh and pathogen-free.

Asked about silver's moment in the spotlight, EvelineCharles's Cotter says she doesn't think that the rush is going to fade any time soon. "I don't think it's gimmicky," she says.

"As long as there is data and information to back up a quality product, I think it will stand the test of time."

The ancient civilizations would surely agree.