If you've held on to your velvet pieces from last year, then good news: It's set to be big again this autumn too. However, if you haven't already invested, we can imagine you're wondering how to wear velvet on the regular. We can be all too quick to associate it with Christmas party dressing and goth subcultures, but it's genuinely enjoying something of a casual revolution.
Luxury brands like Valentino, Sonia Rykiel and Erdem are just a handful of the big names that reconsidered the textile for daywear, often in refreshingly bright colourways such as canary yellow and fuchsia pink. Not to mention there are tonnes of velvet boots, bags and shoes on the high street available right now.
So how do you take something that's strongly embedded in evening wear and make it suitable for daylight hours? First, keeping an open mind and parking everything you think you know about velvet is a good place to start. We've scrutinised some of the world's chicest women to decode velvet's rebirth—because there is no shortage of girls who have already gotten on board.
Scroll through the gallery below for styling inspiration on how to wear velvet and where to buy this season's most luxe pieces.
Style Notes: A velvet blazer, like Pernille Teisbaek's, is a great transitional cover-up. Consider swapping your leather biker jacket for one, and sport the rest of your clothes—such as denim and plain cottons—like you normally would. Not making concessions will make the adoption of velvet feel more natural.
Style Notes: See, all you need to make a velvet dress look more appropriate for daytime is to layer a sweatshirt underneath.
Style Notes: You don't need deep pockets to tap into the velvet ankle boot trend. Wear them with bare legs if you dare, or chose a rich jewel tone to artfully offset frayed-hem denim.
Style Notes: An easy way to carry velvet with you wherever you go is to trade your leather bag for a velvet one. Gucci's designs are worth living off baked beans for.
Style Notes: A loose-fitting dress in an unexpected colour, plus practical accessories, effortlessly takes this opulent fabric away from the dance floor and into daywear territory.
Style Notes: Runway showgoers have been embracing velvet trousers as a quick and easy way to tap into the trend while staying true to their signature style. It's time to swap black cigarette pants for styles that are plush and statement-making.
Style Notes: Get creative, and wear a velvet coat with your casual jeans, loafers and tee. You'll look instantly smarter.
Style Notes: Velvet trousers don't have to be flowing. Opt for a skinnier pair and wear with boots, a shirt and a bomber jacket.
Style Notes: If you're going to brave a velvet suit, take away the dressy element by pairing it with something more masculine like a pinstripe shirt. This helps you embrace velvet as a tailoring piece and not a disco staple.
So dreamy.
The only ankle boots you need this season.
Wear over a white tee for a casual look.
Over jeans or with knee-high boots.
We're seeing a lot of this colour around right now.
Best with socks.
Try an embroidered velvet jacket for a way to make any pair of jeans look luxe.
Everyone has been wearing this bag at London Fashion Week.
To wear over your sweatshirt for a classy casual look.
We've already bought these.
Bold, sure, but we're into it.
Such a great autumnal colour.
Next up, the biggest A/W 17 fashion trends you need to know about.