The question of how to wear velvet now feels a little like a 70s time warp, but it actually carries all the promise of a refreshingly new idea. This is because, as fashion charts increasingly experimental territory, designers have begun to reinterpret velvet for all seasons. Sumptuously luxe, it is traditionally considered a cloth exclusive to winter, but SS17 was all about velvet clothing you can wear year-round.
As brands like Givenchy and Eckhaus Latta work on reinvigorating this tactile fabric, only a hint of its bohemian spirit lingers. When it is present, though, the effect is subtler, with modern lines and a fresh sense of contrast being key points of emphasis now. In this way designers are making us excited about wearing velvet in summer as much as in the cooler months.
The rules today are that there are no rules. So, in mastering velvet outfit ideas, the focus becomes very much a personal one – choosing the best hue for you, setting the tone of your statement and introducing a little contrast here and there. Plus, if the whole idea still feels too foreign, there’s always an array of velvet accessories to ease you into things.
Choose your hue
Fortunately, velvet clothing now comes in a variety of different weights, meaning it can see you through from the depths of winter to Australian high summer. A little contemplation of colour palette, though, can go a long way in transitioning this fabric across the seasons. Rich colours like a purple or burgundy on bomber jackets for example, can help brighten things up for wintry temperatures, while the levity of an ice blue or silver offsets the richness of the fabrication for those hot summer months.
If velvet has proven anything over recent seasons, it’s that you needn’t feel bound by traditional rules of seasonality, so the most important consideration when choosing your velvet hue is what feels right for you. It could be a vibrant emerald like Cate Blanchett’s 70s-inspired suits or a moody navy in homage to Eddie Redmayne on the red carpet. Either way, once you've got your colour mastered, it becomes about how bold you can go.
Set your frequency
As a texture, velvet tends to steal the limelight, so when exploring velvet outfit ideas, it's worth contemplating the level of impact you’re looking to make. A velvet blazer by Saint Laurent, for instance, can add the perfect finishing touch to black jeans and a classic white T-shirt – while still keeping things timeless. Think less the embossed velvet of your grandmother’s couch and more sleekly minimal.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for something a little more high voltage, consider a double velvet look as inspired by the SS17 Victoria Beckham collection. Of course, if the trousers and matching jacket feel a little much, you can always strip things back by accenting your look with hints of velvet instead. Model Abbey Lee Kershaw, for example, teams a vintage-inspired velvet crop top with high-waisted black trousers and an open blouse. After all, a flash of velvet can be just as revealing.
Introduce a little contrast
One of the most appealing aspects of wearing velvet now is that it can be incredibly versatile. AW16 saw designers reinterpret the cloth in vastly different ways – from flirtatiously ruched at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi to darkly romantic at Givenchy. Whatever your desired effect, a little contrast can go a long way in striking that mood, whether it’s grounding opulence through contrast stitching or introducing a little levity.
The SS17 Victoria Beckham collection introduced the idea of blending cool white velvets with pleated silks of the same hue resulting in a refreshing minimalism. Meanwhile Chris Hemsworth demonstrates how to wear velvet and amp up classic black dinner suits by swapping the traditional blazer out for a version in velvet. The trick here is in balancing your colour palette with a sophisticated approach, rather than the head-to-toe pink of Nicole Richie’s noughties tracksuits.
Consider a velvet accessory
If you're looking to ease yourself into velvet clothing, why not consider velvet accessories instead? Everything from a velvet-covered heel to an Alice band or bow in the fabrication can help lend a final flourish to your overall look. Miranda Kerr, for example, demonstrates the impact of a black velvet choker with the pumps to match. When paired with a simple camisole and tapered leather trousers, this look is sultry yet subtle.
Fortunately many designers are now exploring how to wear velvet in discreet but impactful ways. Lanvin necklaces in velvet, for example, will pair well with just about everything. Meanwhile, men might be lured in by luxe accents such as velvet ties or pocket squares – a similar effect to the Hemsworth tuxedo, but with a slightly more muted result. Ultimately, velvet has emerged as the new chameleon in fashion, so the way you wear it has become highly personal and thus ripe for experimentation.