How Do I Wear Velvet Without Looking Retro?

One of the biggest fashion trends for fall is velvet.  I have just returned from market in Las Vegas, and let me tell you, velvet was everywhere!  Some of you might be thinking, been there, done that, don’t want to do it again!  While I totally understand the strangeness of have a trend re-surface from a time when you were younger, there is a whole generation of young contemporary women who have never experienced velvet in their wardrobes.

You may be wondering how you wear the new velvet trend without looking like you stepped out of the seventies.  To keep it fresh and modern, manufacturers are doing fun things like pairing velvet with printed chiffon, especially florals.  The model on the right has a chiffon and velvet kimono with a floral print that is kept modern by pairing it with distressed jeans rolled to an ankle length and paired with shoe boots.  The velvet top on the left might have come straight out of the seventies, but it is presented in a new fresh way by pairing it with printed, skinny jeans.  Even though printed bottoms were also popular in the seventies, these are decidedly modern because of their animal printed theme, grey hue and skinny style.

These are both good examples of a fashion principle.  If you are wearing a retro trend like velvet, make sure everything else on your body represents a modern trend.  You would not, for example, want to pair a velvet top with high waisted, wide bottomed jeans unless you were intentionally going  for a seventies vibe in your clothing.  Instead, using on trend styles like boyfriend jeans, ankle length and skinny legged pants, and ankle boots, you can have a hint of retro without looking like you shopped from the thrift store.

Wearing velvet is a wonderful experience.  It feels amazing against your skin, and is a cozy fabric to put on in the dead of winter.  It does not need to be reserved for dressy occasions.  Velvet is a fabric you can wear any time by pairing it with the right bottoms.   If you have never had the pleasure of a velvet piece in your wardrobe, you are in for a treat!  Make sure you give one a try this season!

2 thoughts on “How Do I Wear Velvet Without Looking Retro?

  1. The key here is mixing fabrics. I’m finding that the more you mix, the more things match. For instance, take a pair of velvet leggings and pop a longer (to cover the girly parts) sweater, throw on a complimentary (color to match either the leggings or shoes/boots) scarf or shawl and bam! There’s your outfit. My key is to take a statement piece and match 3 to 4 colors. 🙂

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