Velvet: The Easiest Way to Dress Up for the Holidays
I adore velvet but rarely wear it as I usually reserve it for “dressing up” or fancier occassions. It’s definately not something I would wear into the office or on a casual run to the store but it has it’s time and place and for me that is during the holiday season. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Hanukkah… all perfect opportunities to rock some velvet and look great doing it! But I think now, more than ever, velvet can be worked into a more casual outfit.
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A velvet blazer with denim, a pretty top with trousers, or even a velvet bag can be just enough for a holiday dinner, a night out, or one of those December gatherings where you’re never quite sure how dressed up everyone will be. The trick, I think, is to keep the rest of the outfit fairly simple. A little velvet goes a long way, and there are some especially pretty pieces this season that make holiday dressing feel a lot less complicated.
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Personally, for the holiday season, I plan to bring out some velvet hair ribbons and headbands. I’d like to get one pretty pair of velvet pants (some of them are actually pretty bad a*s looking. These are not your moms velvet trousers!) and a velvet blazer. If I’m feeling extra festive, maybe even a Velvet skirt to pair with some tall boots that I’m seeing trending everywhere.
Here are some of my favorite velvet pieces to elevate your style game during the holiday season!
Exquise Tobie Velvet Mini Shirt Dress
I absolutely love this mini dress. While velvet traditionally is a “dressier” look, I honestly think paired with black tights and a pair of booties, you can get away with wearing this to brunch or even the office! Talk about the perfect day-to-evening dress (especially if you have to go to an office holiday party right after a work day). Swap out everyday jewelry for something with sparkles, and you’ve instantly made it a great holiday party dress.
PAIGE Leenah High Waist Velvet Trousers
I’m a sucker for anything high-waisted. Even thinking of the low rise jeans of the early 2000s makes me shudder. The surprising thing about these velvet trousers is that they have a great stretch to them which makes them extra comfortable.
J.Crew Velvet Smoking Slippers
Not ready to go full-on velvet but want a touch of that elevated chic look? These loafers are SO darn cute. Even paired with jeans and a plaid wool blazer, you’ve instantly got that rich girl from the English countryside feel going on. Adding these to my own cart!
Mango Velvet Jacket With Buttons
I chose this one as it’s a fun take on your average blazer. It’s got a heck of a lot more personality and you’re surely not going to run into anyone wearing this as well. This velvet jacket has a lapel collar and button front – details that a lot of other velvet jackets wouldn’t have.
Tuckernuck Velvet Monique Top
Another good one that you can dress up or down and I especially love the square neck and puffed shoulders. The peplum hem is also a very flattering look. I’d pair this with jeans or flowy silk pants.
Ghost London Solene Velvet Skirt
High-waisted with a flared midi length, this velvet skirt has the prettiest lace trim detailing that makes it feel extra feminine and festive. The color can take you from Thanksgiving all the way through New Year’s Eve.
Boden volume Sleeve Velvet Shirt
The body of the shirt has a slim profile which pairs nicely with the more voluminous sleeves. It’s hard to tell from this photo, but it also has very pretty crystal buttons that make it that much more appropriate for fancier holiday and Christmas parties.
It Came Upon A Midnight Shear by Allie Pleiter
I absolutely adore this floral velvet blazer! I love it as you can wear it well beyond the holiday season and it won’t look like you’re trying too hard to dress up. It has a great tailored look making it perfectly acceptable to wear on any winter work day.
Tuckernuck Sycamore Velvet Collier Dress
This is the ultimate festive holiday dress. Beyond chic and subtly understated, you can’t go wrong with this velvet dress. It also comes in black velvet with very pretty crystal buttons for an even dressier look.
For Love & Lemons Morgan Velvet Slingbacks
How stinking cute are these slingback velvet heels? So unique! With square toes and block heels, this is the perfect pop of velvet even if you’re throwing on jeans and a silk blouse.
Natural Life Laid Back Velvet Button Down
I wanted to include this as it’s the first casual velvet look I’ve come across and I really like it! It also comes in green velvet and I would pair this with a super cool pair of leather pants for an edgier holiday look.
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How to Wear Velvet for the Holidays (Without Feeling Overdressed)
As much as I love velvet for the holidays, I don’t necessarily want to look like I’m headed to a black-tie event every time I wear it. Actually, it’s not the first fabric I reach for, but I am leaning into more this holiday season.
I think, the trick, for me at least, is to treat velvet like any other piece in my wardrobe. I am going to try to mix it with everyday fabrics, keep the accessories simple, and let the texture do most of the work. Whether you’re dressing for a holiday party, Christmas dinner, or a casual get-together with friends, there are plenty of ways to wear velvet that feel festive without being over the top.
Pair Velvet with Everyday Fabrics
One of my favorite ways to make velvet feel a little more relaxed is to pair it with something unexpected. A velvet blazer looks beautiful with straight-leg jeans and a simple white tee. A velvet skirt feels less formal with a chunky knit sweater. Even velvet pants can work with a crisp button-down shirt or a fitted cashmere sweater. The contrast is what makes the outfit interesting. You get all the richness of velvet without looking like you tried too hard.
Let One Velvet Piece Be the Star
You don’t need an entire velvet outfit to make an impression. In fact, I think velvet often looks best when it’s the only statement piece. Try a pair of velvet trousers with a simple silk blouse, or a velvet top with tailored black pants. A velvet blazer thrown over an otherwise understated outfit is another easy way to dress things up. And if you’re not quite ready to commit to velvet clothing, a pair of velvet loafers or heels can add just enough holiday charm.
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Experiment with Rich, Seasonal Colors
Black velvet will always be a classic, but the holidays are a wonderful excuse to play with color. Deep burgundy, chocolate brown, forest green, midnight blue, and even a soft champagne can look especially beautiful in velvet. I love the idea of a burgundy velvet skirt with a cream sweater or chocolate velvet pants with an ivory blouse. These combinations feel festive but aren’t so obviously Christmas that you can’t wear them again in January or February.
Don’t Save Velvet Just for Holiday Parties
Velvet doesn’t have to be reserved for cocktail parties and fancy dinners. Some of my favorite holiday outfits are the ones that fall somewhere between casual and dressed up. Think velvet loafers with jeans for a holiday lunch, a velvet blazer for dinner with friends, or a velvet button-down shirt tucked into your favorite trousers for Christmas Eve. It’s also a great way to make pieces you already own feel a little more seasonal without buying an entirely new outfit.
Keep the Accessories Understated
Velvet already has a lot of texture and visual interest, so you really don’t need much else. Simple gold earrings, a delicate necklace, or a classic leather handbag are often enough. If you’re wearing velvet heels, let them be the finishing touch rather than competing with a lot of sparkle. And if you’re pairing a velvet skirt with a sweater, consider a simple belt or understated jewelry. Of course, the holidays are also a perfectly good excuse for a little sparkle. I just prefer to choose one or the other rather than piling everything on at once.
Think Beyond December
One thing worth considering when shopping for holiday velvet clothing is whether you’ll actually wear it again. A beautifully tailored velvet blazer, a pair of velvet loafers, or a simple velvet blouse can easily become part of your winter wardrobe. Look for classic silhouettes and colors you already love wearing. Those are the pieces that tend to feel less like a holiday purchase and more like something you’ll be happy to pull out year after year. And really, that’s the sweet spot with holiday dressing. A little festive, a little special, but still very much your own style.
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