What’s the standout statement piece that takes a t-shirt from drab to fab? What can transition your office look from day to night? What’s the perfect party dress topper? A velvet blazer, that’s what. It’s one amazing item in your closet that you can throw over most anything this holiday season, and you’ll be ready for a social calendar full of special occasions. Read on for some major holiday outfit inspiration, and click the links for a few of my favorite styles, currently in stores.
A QUICK NOTE: This article was originally published in 2017 - so none of the product links are current. But all the outfit advice & style tips are still right on track (so keep reading!).
EASY PEASY
Velvet is an inherently dressy fabric, which makes it ideal for holiday festivities – but why not use it to dress up your everyday? Grab anything from a white t-shirt to a knit turtleneck to your favorite blouse, add medium blue or distressed denim, and then use velvet to inject a little holiday glamour into your daytime look. And don’t forget – velvet doesn’t only come in black. Explore rich shades of the season in forest green and burgundy, or try a deep navy like this classic cut at Banana Republic or a tuxedo style by Joie.
photo credits (left to right): memorandum, stylish wife, uptown with elly brown; cover photo: mayebadiayn
CRANK IT UP
When straddling the line between casual and formal, and you really want to achieve a dressy jeans look, a velvet blazer can be your best friend. A pretty blouse, dark wash or black jeans, and the blazer are all you need for that ‘dressed up but not too dressed up’ style.
photo credits (left to right): just the design, j crew, pinterest
DAY TO NIGHT
With a hectic holiday schedule, heading straight from the office to drinks and dinner is bound to happen at least once (or twice, or three times!) So how do you make your daytime look nighttime-ready? Keep it simple for your 9-to-5 in black pants and heels – and then before you head out for the evening, trade your workday blazer or cardigan for a sleek velvet jacket. You can go traditionally sophisticated in a cut that echoes the shape of your suit blazers, or you can add some edge in a moto style like this one from Rebecca Taylor.
photo credits (left to right): alterations needed, memorandum
FASHION-PHILE
If you’re among the fashion-daring, or you’re just looking for something totally new this season, go all out in a velvet pantsuit! It’s a completely unexpected stand-in for a cocktail dress, and staves off the chill if your evening festivities end up outside. And besides having an amazing outfit, you have a fun blazer and pants to pair with the rest of your wardrobe. Now isn’t that great?
SWEET & SASSY
If you’re looking for another alternative to the ubiquitous cocktail dress, how about a velvet blazer and metallic midi skirt? Make this look your own by how you style it – with a button-down shirt and booties for a toned-down evening, or with your party heels and silky camisole for a true holiday soirée.
photo credits (left to right): pinterest, penny pincher fashion, hallie daily
PARTY TIME
A velvet blazer is specifically spectacular as a layer over a fancy dress, for several reasons. Depending on your weather, it can be your outerwear piece for the evening. It’s dressy enough to keep on indoors if it’s cooler than expected, or you’d like to cover your shoulders for a bit. And a fitted style can enhance your silhouette, while a boyfriend cut stylistically contrasts a slinky slip dress. If you see yourself wearing a velvet blazer multiple times during the season, invest appropriately. But if it’s a one (or two) time thing, there are phenomenal less expensive choices like this Eliza J jacket from Nordstrom or this 1.STATE style from Bloomingdale's.
photo credits (left to right): designers central, uptown with elly brown
Are you looking for more velvet blazer style inspiration? Check out how I outfitted one blazer three ways in this blog post, along with how to wear other things from your closet all through party season.
