This season I am crushing on velvet, silks and satins.
I couldn’t be happier about that.
Velvet, silk and satin are fabrics I find to be feminine, very romantic and with just the right amount of sexiness. They remind us of the old-world and yet they can be made to feel as up-to-date as we want.
Great dressing is about our signature style and that means the mix and blend of pieces we choose to wear to “describe” ourselves. I know we don’t judge, ‘a book by its cover’ but how we look and how others perceive us is important to our self-confidence.
Velvet, in particular, feels luscious and has always made me feel on top of the world. I have loved velvet since my early years in fashion. I remember my first black velvet, semi-full skirt. I wore and wore and wore it until I grew out of it; sad but true. I preferred to accessorise with either a cashmere fine turtleneck or a satin camisole style top.
Nothing much changes with me.
Then there are velvet jeans and pants.
What’s not to love about those? I wear mine with an oversize sweater or a silk shirt, slightly loose. The textures and the shapes contrast to create not only a flattering silhouette but also a modern interpretation. I can shift moods and dress them up with a blazer and flats or stay in relaxed mode with a pair of sneakers; I am thinking the metallic ones.
And as for the velvet blazer,
The velvet blazer is an essential in my wardrobe. I have a black one but this season I am going to add this navy blue style. I want to get back into denim again and I like the idea of these cute jeans, the blazer and a camisole or fine sweater underneath. An easy outfit to put together and one I can equally travel with or be at home in.
This fashion season is a mix of much.
I have seen embroidery, animal prints, athletic styles, velvets and laces. The statement making way is to wear it all together and one on top of each other. There is no such thing as too much pattern or layering; there is no such thing as athletic wear not working with silks and satins. I do like the emphasis on sleeves and necklines; bell sleeves and slightly off-the-shoulder styles are flattering and can work well for us.
I will be treading carefully with this embellished, wear-it-all trend. I could look one of two things; very cool or ultimately ridiculous. I believe we look and learn from the trends and interpret what will work in our lives and create a flattering compliment to our signature style.
Velvet, silks and satin are winners; I am starting here.
Crushing on Velvet
**smythe velvet blazer // **lafayette 148 new york velvet pants // lafayette 148 new york velvet dress // velvet jeans
**eileen fisher velvet tee // alexander wang bomber // alexander wang lounge pants // **j.crew jeans to wear with the velvet tee
images from the film, gosford park
Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this feature and inviting me to edit the fall collection.
