Would You Wear… Velvet?
From Left: Fendi, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chloe and Ralph Lauren Fall 2009 RTW
A few weeks ago, Kristina wrote a great post on the six must-wear fabrics for the fall winter season, and the first textile on her list was velvet. Kristina was totally correct because velvet is back in a big way this season!
In my opinion, velvet is a perfect trend for winter because it is warmer than other fabrics without seeming too chunky. This makes it a fabulous choice for your holiday party dress – it’s warmer than silk, and more streamlined than a chunky knit. Velvet works well on accessories too – just the smallest touch of the fabric can add spice to any outfit. This versatility has helped make velvet such an available, widespread trend.
While shopping on Black Friday, I was amazed by the number of retailers that had velvet items on the racks–everything from blazers to flats, cardigans to dresses, and even velvet lingerie was available! Even more amazing was how widespread the trend was in stores – retailers from all different sectors of the consumer demographic featured velvet garments, from shoe stores to clothing stores, department stores and even stores for men!
Here are some retail examples of products featuring velvet this season:
Product Information: Flower Pin, Navy Clutch, Dark Blazer, Maroon Flats, Purple Dress, Gray Dress, Teal Shrug, Cobalt Bag, Navy Pearl Dress, Mauve Bag, Red Bra, Teal Dress, Purple Headband, Navy Dress
This had me wondering–is velvet the trend for your holiday wardrobe? Do you think that it’s something that everyone can pull off with a little effort? And most importantly, would you wear it? Let me know what you think–I’m still on the fence!!!
Posted on on November 30, 2009 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chloe, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Trends, velvet, Winter 2009, Would You Wear?
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Jen
Ugh, I don’t care if velvet is back. I hate it! It is the one trend I despise to my core. lol. I think it accentuates the bad and hides the good.
Cathy
Nope, I don’t like the way velvet feels.
The purple dress and teal dress are pretty cool in terms of style because I have never seen a velvet dress like that… but it’s still not for me.
Sophie
….. velvet…… maybe not… safe to say i wont be following this trend at all!!!!
Zephyr - CF Editor
Personally I kinda like this trend – I’d wear it! I’m feeling velvet legwear lately – leggings, knee-high socks, etc. American Apparel makes a great velvet legging that’s just too 80’s fabulous to resist. As with all trends, though, this is definitely only good in moderation. :)
Julia
I think bits of velvet in accessories are good…
But as fabric for tops and dresses, I think it over-formalizes everything and is just a very unflattering type of material.
Ali-bell
I have a couple of vintage black velvet dresses that I LOVE, but I wouldn’t wear coloured velvet. black velvet is great because it stays so BLACK, it’s awesome. I was wearing one of these dresses the other night and it took my friends about an hour to realise it was velvet! the quality of the velvet is important too, silk velvet sits so nicely…
Isabelle
I’ve got to tell you I am seriously doubting this thing. My best friend and I found some velvet pieces in the thrift shops and she attempted to coax me into it. I will let you know in a few weeks. Maybe if it’s minimal like the little bolero posted here. Maybe.
Sara
I actually bought a deep olive velvet jacket/blazer about 3 yrs ago and finally wore it. LOVED IT!! It definitely does dress an outfit up which is nice. I wouldn’t wear it casually but it spices up an outfit. I wore it to a fancy business lunch and later that night kept it on and put some jeans, heels, clutch on and bam- new outfit. Seriously if you feel confident or at least act it you can pull anything off within reason.
Amy
When I was 8 I wore a purple velvet turtleneck dress in a school picture – it was hideous and I was going through an awkward phase. Needless to say that picture killed any chance of me EVER wearing velvet again.
Cody
I actually like this trend. I’ve got a black velvet short-sleeve blazer that I’m planning to experiment with this winter that I absolutely love!
Emily
The texture of velvet makes me shudder. And most of it is just a little too elementary school Christmas concert for me. So I’ll be taking a pass on this one.
Caitlin
a bit on accessories and shoes can be alright, and I kind of like the teal shrug in the picture. but as for full on outfits and dresses in velvet… no thanks. like Emily above me said, it definitely reminds me too much of my elementary school Christmas concerts lol! I’m kind of unsure about this trend, I’ll probably pass on it.
Jamielikewhoa
I think that it’s something which must be done with care. For example, I don’t think velvet goes well with the rock/punk trend of lace up boots and leather, but I can see that teal dress being paired with nude or black pumps, simple jewelry and a plain clutch.
Courtney
i LOVE the grey velvet dress in your collage. however, the link doesn’t work. can you tell me where you got it?! i looked all over the forever21 website and couldn’t find it. :(
also, can you throw out some awesome ways to wear that dress? i have a party to wear it to, and i want to drop some jaws.
Samantha
Oh, I LOVE velvet, but I feel like it comes around every winter, just like jewel tones and rhinestones come around every winter… I love velvet blazers on men (that is totally badass, as is corduroy), but I feel like it’s such a statement to wear anything large that’s velvet. I personally would only wear black velvet and only as a dress. Well I mean I have a velvet t-shirt that I sort of love, but it’s black and I usually tone down everything else when I do wear it.
S.
I recently bought a deep purple velvet blazer from zara. I love it!!
Some velvet does look tacky and a bit too 80s throwback… the trick is to keep it crisp and vintage-inspired, not 80s…. deep jewel colors (black, emerald, burgundy, purple, indigo) are the only acceptable velvet colours.
only a certain kind of fashion-daring person can pull off velvet trousers… I look ridiculous in them.
Natalie
I’ve had a purple, long sleveed velvet Betsey Johnson dress hanging in my closet for at least two years now…maybe now’s the time I can finally wear it? I’m really not the world’s biggest velvet fan though, strangely enough. It just looks so…ice skater-y to me!
Carina
Maybe in small doses, like a brooch or some shoes, or detail on a shirt or something. I have a velvet skirt, though, and it’s gotten some compliments.
Mae
Velvet pants.
Ha, brings me back to being 5ish. :)
Depends of the shape and what not if I would wear velvet.
Andrea R
I HATE VELVET! It feels gross and cheap. It just belongs in movie theatre seats.
Andrea R
PS can you guys please post ideas for an ABC (Anything but clothes) party. I want something stylish, and not the usual caution tape or garbage bag.
Ali
reminds me of my dresses for holiday parties when i was way little =]
actually i lie. when i was 15 i work a velvet strapless dress to my freshman semi formal. it had sequins as like a border. it did a good job of accentuating my curves (the very few i had back then). my then boyfreind said it was like dancing with a furry animal XD
its all about the cut i guess if it’s a dress, but pants? no way.
STEPHANIE
velvet….reminds me of christmas elementary school pictures….my mom would stick me in those dresses and i hated it. so no…velvet looks cheap on adults and rarely hangs well.
WendyB
I didn’t know it had gone out! I’ve got velvet dresses, pants, probably a jacket if I think about it. None of them are new!
Angie Marie
Like the commenter above me, I had no idea velvet was considered so…rare.
I own one velvet dress that I wear about once a year, and often forget about, ha. If I ever find something in velvet with a better cut, I will certainly wear it!
Cylene
Dears,
My name is Cylene, I´m Braziliam and I would like to Know what wear on New Year´s Eve. I´m going to Las Vegas to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Black Eyed Peas at LAX Nightclub.
In Brazil We usually wear white clothes. I atended to wear fashion jeans. What do you suggest me to wear? I love your choices. If possible, send me more outfit.
Best regards,
Cylene
Kate
I just bought this bomb blazer from Nastygal thats velvet and has severe shoulders. Its sweet. I didn’t realize it was velvet before I got it, so I was suprised and a bit unsure, as velvet reminds me of my third grade x-mas recital dress, but it looks awesome and not childish or frumpy at all. I almost wore it to law school today with a pair of bootcut jeans and purple heels, but I decided my classmates weren’t ready for it’s awesomeness just yet. maybe next semester – when it gets a bit cooler.
But overall – velvet…. meh, but if you find some cool piece that you need/want, try it!!
Maria
I agree with S. The only acceptable colors of velvet is the deep ones. Or pure white. Light-colored velvet? Bleh. I actually own a velvet dress (black) and a velvet skirt (dark purple) and white velvet short-sleeved cardigan which I absolutely love. I really like the soft feel of velvet. And it makes any outfit look more put-together and expensive (if worn right and has the right cuts). I guess the trick for wearing velvet is the simplicity – simple cuts, simple accessories, simple hairdos – velvet already speaks for itself.
Since velvet is coming back, I guess I’m now on the look out for more velvet skirts or dresses. I see that now there are velvet bags and shoes, but I don’t think I’ll buy any of them. ‘Velvet’ for shoes for me is suede, and it will never change. :)
lisa
i would never do velvet…. it just reminds me of homemade halloween costumes (of the worst kind…. i dont like the feeling, and i think it does not look flattering on most bodyshapes… but some people always surprise me with a trend i despise, because they can really rock it! but i will never wear it myself,
SupaWaifu
Had to wear a velvet skirt when I was in middle school band performances. Velvet = never again! I’ve come to terms with suede and pseudo-suede, just no velvet
Arielle Simpson
It really depends. I don’t see myself wearing velvet dresses or jackets, but velvet in minimal amounts can be cute. Such as velvets headbands or handbags.
I’m not really a huge fan of this trend though.
Madeleine Fahlbusch
While velvet is nice, I personally haven’t tried it out yet for my wardrobe. Right now my main focus is faux leather. I think that if people have a little fashion know-how and the right pieces, then they can definately make velvet work for them but be careful, if paired wrong, velvet can look dated and even down right ugly. I would definately wear velvet if I came across a really great piece, I just haven’t found it yet.
Suzi
velvet cocktail dress = probably not. Velvet blazer = YES
Back when I was in high school, I was shopping in the vintage section of a thrift store and found the most amazing dark brown velvet blazer. It made me feel instantly sophisticated, boho in a turn-of-the century sort of way, and crucially, made me feel just a little more grownup at a time when my peers were mostly sporting the SAME jeans, sneakers and hoodie no matter what the occasion.
so while I’ll probably pass on the flimsier velvet minidresses for being too reminiscent of childhood christmas concerts, I think that this material in the right context is VERY fashionable.
cassie
i think velvet pieces would be amazing for outfits. its such a classy, stylish way of adding interest to a look.
ps i miss posts from zephyr. the new writers are great…but just not the same level of fantastic.
Jenny @ Cheap Halloween Costumes
i don’t have much to say but when i gone through this blog the comment which other people give are really a great and i love reading it too and even went it from top to down. merry Christmas and happy new year.
Steph
Totally agree that velvet is unflattering because it’s usually quite clingy – it kind of hugs all the bits you don’t want people to see! And it can sometimes look like little girls’ clothes. Maybe that’s just because I always wore velvet party dresses as a kid, but that’s what it reminds me of.
Although, I love velvet trims on skirts, tops etc. and the accessories look great, especially the big flower brooches I’ve seen around. Velvet bags seem a good idea until they get something spilt on them…how would you ever clean them?
I think head-to-toe it doesn’t look great, but I’m all for it otherwise!
Lady Lily
I love velvet…. but I firmly believe that it should only be used in small amounts.( i.e. accessories, etc.)
I
Lady Lily
I have nothing against velvet, but firmly believe that it should be worn in small amounts(i.e. accessories, etc.)
Velvet is a very heavy fabric, and a bit more “dressy”
I suggest wearing velveteen instead, you’ll get almost the same look (without the bulk) and you can dress it up or down.
Might I suggest a cute velveteen blazer to wear with jeans or over a cute dress?
(I don’t know how that first post from me got there)