6 ways to wear velvet (and not look like a sofa)
Mix your textures To avoid looking frumpy, mix a velvet piece with different textures. The pleats of this skirt allow it to drape and slim the silhouette. add a silk shirt for an elegant finish. Silk shirt, £150, reiss.com Velvet pleated midi skirt, £35, marksand spencer.com Velvet brooch detail bag, £99, tedbaker.com Ruffle satin high heels, £150, reiss.com
Party perfect
For the office Christmas party or drinks in the daytime, a velvet suit is sassy and elegant. it looks luxurious and yet is effortlessly sophisticated and can be dressed up or down. Velvet blazer, £220, and velvet trousers, £160, boden.co.uk Breton top, £22, hobbs. co.uk Embellished velvet slippers, £150, boden.co.uk
Relaxed, yet chic
a velveT blazer looks less formal than a wool number and hides a multitude of sins. in a playful colour, such as pink, you can dress it down with a shirt and flats for the day or a blouse and heels for evening. Velvet blazer, £75, topshop.com Cashmere jumper, £69.90, uniqlo.com Belted wide-leg trousers, £49, topshop.com
Fabulous florals
velveT in bright colours can be garish and make you look like a sofa. a day coat in darker hues is elegant and figure skimming. Keep the rest of your outfit simple to avoid clashes. Floral velvet coat, £399, hobbs.co.uk Crew neck sweater, £114.95, gap.co.uk Navy trousers, £68, johnlewis. com Shoes, £159, hobbs.co.uk
Dash of mustard
velveT can be unforgiving — look for dresses that will drape rather than cling. For a real wow factor, don’t shy away from strong colours — like this mustard frock with ruched sleeves in an elegant midi length. Ruched sleeve velvet dress, £29.99, new look.com Suede kneehigh boots, £225, duo boots.com
Floaty sleeves
a loT of women hate their arms, but covering them up completely in velvet can look matronly and add pounds. This floaty dress has flattering, sheer balloon sleeves with a velvet print, so they aren’t too heavy. Silk dress with velvet print, £139, massimo dutti.com Shoes, £69, clarks.com