Velvet, If You Please

Theory stretch velvet jacket in pink. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

On Trend, But Not Trendy…

It’s been hard to miss: velvet is a HUGE trend this fall. I’m usually not one to jump on trends for trends’ sake, but I’m all over this one. I LOVE velvet, and will continue to wear it long after the trend has passed. I believe that velvet can be worn every day as part of a casual look. And I have more velvet looks in the pipeline…coming soon.

Above: classic long blazer in stretch velvet. Also available in Black.

The good news is that the mid-season sales have hit, and there are a lot of pieces discounted just in time for the holidays! Here are some dress up/dress down options…

blue velvet blazer from Beltaine. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

My blue velvet blazer? Currently 40% off! (Sizes limited, runs a little bit small.)

From now until November 12, Bloomingdales is offering a promotion on selected items, $25 off every $100 with code PRIVATE. So even if some of these items here are shown at full price, they are eligible for the promotion.

Gold velvet blazer from J.Crew. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

If bold color is in your style wheelhouse, this one’s an entrance-maker.

Karen Kane teal velvet dress with bell sleeves in Plus. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

This textured dress (Plus) has a flattering v-neck, and bell sleeves. It’s also available in Black, but this teal color is a nice option.

French Connection black velvet dress with bow detail on sleeves. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Hello, LBD. I love the neckline and bow detail at the shoulders! So Audrey. Throw on some statement pearl earrings and you’re ready for anything.

AQUA military-style velvet blazer. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

A chic little military-style jacket with a budget-friendly price. Also available in limited sizes in Wine.

Eileen Fisher slouchy black velvet pants. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I think these pants and a silk top would be an easy and elegant holiday look, especially with an embellished mule. My practical nature suggests that if you’re going for velvet pants or skirts to stick with something washable, and these are.

J.Crew navy velvet blazer. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

This shawl collar navy blazer would be a wardrobe perennial. It’s available for pre-order at J.Crew, and today’s the last day to use code GETSHOPPING for 25% off.

BTW, Ann Taylor just launched their “Friends of Ann” 40% off event with code FRIENDS40.

Do you have a favorite velvet piece in your wardrobe? How do you style it?

More Wear Now/Wear Later Velvet…

(Click arrow at right for more selections.)

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36 Comments

  1. Under the heading “I wish I had kept….”: an Eileen Fisher velvet shell and big shirt in soft black velvet, from ages ago. After a couple of years, it seemed outdated and I wasn’t reaching for them anymore, but boy do I wish I had tucked them away now!

  2. Velvet is so pretty, especially during the holidays. But I also love how it can step up a casual every day look. That first burgundy blazer is beautiful!

  3. Oh SUSAN! Why did you show me that Theory stretch velvet blazer in the first photo? I want all three colours now; it is PERFECT. xx

  4. Like you I’m a massive fan of velvet & couldn’t be happier to see it back in vogue. I have a floral velvet suit I’m wearing on repeat at the moment 😉

  5. Oh, to have kept the two gorgeous velvet jackets I had back in the 70’s!!! I bought the dark red from Banana Republic just two days ago at the 50% off sale. But alas, it’s just too stiff so it’s going back. I like that one from Talbots: might go look. The wear anywhere blazer, for sure!

  6. I love velvet and have been looking for a green velvet jacket…the Boden you show below your text is perfect. But they just ran out of my size. Waaaa! Trying one size up; we’ll see.

  7. I often overlook velvet but I really like it and the styles here make it look so workable. Will be keeping my eye out this season for a bit of velvet luxury! Thanks 🙂

  8. Hmmm, all the Bloomingdale’s links are giving me an “Access denied” error, even when I try Googling the home page. I require the black version of the Theory blazer or a close equivalent thereof.

    1. Hi mamamiau, I just tested the links and they seem to be working. If you have an ad blocker on your browser that might be the issue.

  9. I am so happy I ordered the navy shawl collared ‘jacket’ earlier…..from your recommendation…..and I DID stow away my Eileen Fisher navy velvet shell and also evening pants! AND I have two velvet shirts that I have worn over the years! YAY! For once I saved the right things! Now I just need events to wear them to (<:

  10. I especially love the softer Eileen Fisher in serpentine – just such an unusual and beautiful colour! But the price is a bit staggering, especially in Cdn $$$$

      1. I just checked Amazon Prime…Philosophy has new velvet kimono jackets and pretty wrap shirts with very reasonable prices. I went a little overboard.

  11. Oh my goodness! I love love love velvet! I’m hoping to find something that isn’t black or burgundy… The search begins!

  12. That first picture – the burgundy blazer – is perfect. To me, many women’s jackets are cut too short and I find them unflattering. That one is wonderful.

  13. Sigh. I was finished with shopping for me this year. Lucky that duster is not available now. I love Theory but they don’t have it in my size. Maybe I’m safe for now. I do love dark velvet.

  14. For Linda…the Eileen Fisher slouchy velvet pants are such light weight they’ll be perfect for Florida nights.

  15. Note to self: Many of these comments (above) are why it does NOT make sense to cleanse my closet of pieces I haven’t worn recently — especially if the piece makes me feel wonderful. And also why I shouldn’t make sense to eschew a piece just because it’s not “current.”

    When hubby and I got together 22 years ago I cleansed his closet of pieces that were no longer current — including 3 thick velour shirts. Every fall he STILL misses those shirts and regularly reminds me of the loss. 😉

  16. There’s no velvet in my closet right now, but a velvet blazer or jacket is on my wish list. I love the rich burgundy of the first one shown above, but it’s out of my price range.

  17. You are so right that velvet is a must have. I always have a pair of black velvet slacks in my closet for holiday parties and special occasions. I can pair them with metallic tunics and tanks and add sparkle as needed. I am loving the velvet in stores now. I puchased a cranberry red Tahari blazer on sale at Macy’s and found a black velvet pencil skirt on sale at JC Penney. Yesterday, I found a velvet tank at Marshalls. And I got a pair of Sam Edelman block heel sandals in cranberry velvet. Definitely time to invest – and I know I will use all these pieces for years to come. Loved this post.

  18. Glad you posted this. This is the year to get velvet! Check out Gap’s offerings this year. Just got a beautiful velvet kimono jacket there on sale; it comes in black or ruby. Also great black long sleeve tee.

  19. Thanks, Susan. I realize I did slightly mis-speak. from your link I can get to what appears to be the right page, but the photo doesn’t load. When I try the search box or click on size guide, that’s where I get the “access denied” message. Very strange. I did find the blazer elsewhere, though (Macy’s, maybe?) so got the information I needed.

    1. Got it. I think it’s a browser issue. I’ve been having the same problem in Chrome with certain retailers; if I switch over to Firefox the pages load without any problems.

  20. With you completely on velvet!! (I love the color of your blue jacket) I have loved soft, thick velvet since I was a child. My grandmother was a senior seamstress/dressmaker for a couturier (and I guess she was also a couturier since she began designing in her own shop later on). She knew how I felt about velvet and every year she made me the most beautiful velvet dresses and coats for the holidays with very special touches. I was spoiled, thus I am usually annoyed with the dearth of beautiful, high quality velvet pieces in retail. So, like you, I am thrilled when I see velvet clothing trending. And the h— with trends- velvet will always be “in” IMHO.

  21. Love, love, love velvet. Always have. Always will. When I was growing up (50’s and 60’s), it was considered just for “dress” occasions and to be worn only between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. I just have to pluck up the courage to wear it more often in an area where “super casual” (read pajama bottoms and Uggs to the grocery store!!) is on one end, young “hipsters” rule the fashion roost on the other end– and there seems to be no in-between. Wearing my vintage velvet jackets and velvet scarves are not a problem. Wearing velvet trousers outside of velveteen jeans, on the other hand…or styling a velvet dress casually…(but without the bare legs because it is COLD). I keep telling myself to go for it, but there is still that “fear” of being “overdressed”. Can’t try it for work, since I am retired, but I’d love to gather the courage to just go for it with pieces other than the blazers. Thus the search which brought me to this website today– looking for ideas, courage, inspiration!