the velvet jacket
This is the time of year when I start coveting velvet jackets. Like sequins, sparkle and patent leather, velvet is no longer relegated to evenings or dress-up-only occasions, though it still serves up some elegance when needed. A velvet jacket can be a true Hero Piece, elevating jeans and a tee, topping off a pair of palazzo pants, or draped over shoulders with that LBD.
I did purchase this one in Charcoal a couple of years ago, but at the time chose to ignore that it was just too snug through the shoulders and back to button comfortably, and that it hung oddly on me when worn open. It’s been sadly under-utilized. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a viable replacement, and have come across some really lovely pieces. (Click on arrows to scroll through.)
Do you have a velvet jacket? How do you wear it?
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Love the D. Abbey look! These are really lovely; I was lucky to find a very nice black one, cropped with shawl collar, at the Cat Thrift yesterday. xox
Ooh… ahh… I love velvet.
That blue antique jacket is fabulous. No velvet in my wardrobe at the moment.
Love them, have worn with both jeans and slim fine wool pants, skirts- really, anything.
Here is one you might like:, and it’s a viscose/silk blend which makes it hardier than all-silk velvet:
http://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-VA19-POEJC/jackets-coats/silk-velvet-biker-style-jacket.htm
I’m lusting after the blue velvet jacket! I have an entire category of vintage silk velvet in my closet, and I love wearing the jackets with jeans. ‘Tis the season!
A friend wears a crushed velvet jacket in a blush pink with her skinny jeans and boots…I love the look on her but I feel it is not for me. I have just purchased some new cut velvet jeggings for the holiday season which I plan to blog about.
If you love these jackets you won’t have to look too hard as they seem to be in most the shops right now.
I guess I am conditioned about velvet from early introduction to it from my mother the seamstress. She made me a blue velvet jumper and I know this because I have a picture of me in it from the traveling portrait studio that used to take our childhood portraits at home. The condition is that all real velvet is cotton. I am interested to learn why that changed. It’s difficult for me to appreciate it with little or no shape. The first jacket here is a stunner, so I am not averse to change. 🙂 And there is something about a coneflower blue (remember that color name?) velvet and the way the light plays with it. My velvet jacket now is black and it has a bit of stretch which is quite brilliant.
Actually I believe that originally, “real” velvet was all silk. Cotton velvet is technically called velveteen. 100% silk velvet is rarely if ever seen these days, as rayon (developed as a “man made” silk) subs out for all or most of the silk. The greater the proportion of silk, the classier the fabric. Certainly, only silk velvet was worn at Downton Abbey 🙂
I too will guess your adorable jumper was velveteen, a wonderful fabric rarely used in adult clothes. Silk velvet drapes and has that lush tonal shift, but it is fragile. The jacket I linked to in my post above is about 80/20 viscose (rayon) and silk. Poly velvets are pretty dreadful (that’s what’s used for many costumes b/c washable).
That first jacket is so pretty. I have a black velvet…I button it all the way and it is form fitting…with just a little camii underneath and occasionally a fun necklace! I wear it with a skirt and sometimes with jeans.
Beautiful blue velvet jacket! I have a moss-green velvet jacket with wide-spaced quilting-type stitching and fancy buttons. Very soft and somewhat formfitting, so like Plutress, I wear it all the way buttoned up with a cami underneath. I love that it’s something other than my usual basic black. I haven’t worn it with jeans yet, but why not?
Whoops, that’s “Plutrell,” not “Plutress.” Sorry about that!
I have a deep red, velvet bolero that I bought at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show years ago. It cost me $10.00. I took the shoulder pads out and have worn it at Christmas parties over the years …with a black dress, or black pants and a black lacy cami. It’s come in really handy over the years…since we don’t do dress-up parties very often, I don’t want to splurge on something new. Now that I think about it…I wonder what it would look like with my black leather pants and a black tunic for a party this year. Hmmmm…must go try it on and see.
I like the idea of it. I’ve owned velvet items and they never live up to my ideal of how they’ll look and where I”ll wear them.
After providing several thrift shops with velvet donations I’ve quit.
Thanks for reminding me. Yes, I have velvet jackets and love them paired as you say with Jeans etc.
I Looooove velvet. I bought a green velvet riding jacket, with tiny ornate brass buttons, a few years ago even though it didn’t fit at the time. (I know, don’t do that). But now it fits! I still love it. Have worn it with tobacco-colored jeans and regular jeans. Need to make sure I wear it more this season. I was drawn to a velvet Ralph Lauren cami with rhinestone-trimmed straps at Dillards today, but resisted because I shouldn’t wear bare arms! But I really did love that top.
I love velvet but like tweed it doesn’t love my broad shoulders then I found a feminine style with short sleeves, no shoulder pads and a close fitting waist that’s just perfect over a cocktail or evening dress. I haven’t tried wearing it casually but will see! I hope you find the right one for you!
What is the for that beautiful jacket?!
Ellen, thank you, yes, I remember that term now that you mention it. Velveteen was what my little jumper was made from. And of course the Downton Abbey ladies wore the silk velvet. We expect nothing less. 🙂 (Is it bad to wish the holidays pass quickly because I want the show to start again?)
I have an old black velvet blazer that I bought secondhand (for £5) about 20 years ago and wear once a year, at Christmas!