When it comes to velvet, you are never too old or too young
Nothing, it seems to me, is as romantic to wear in the winter as velvet – just think of the Princess of Wales dancing with John Travolta in navy blue Victor Edelstein. Heaven.
While you may associate it with children’s party dresses or even consider it a bit frumpy, it is in fact one of the most flattering and versatile fabrics, whatever your age. You can wear it head-to-toe – a velvet tuxedo suit in a wonderful, rich colour perhaps – or add just a little with a shoe or evening bag for a touch of winter glamour. Even better, it’s warm and wonderfully comfortable.
There’s plenty of velvet in the shops each winter, but this season it’s particularly popular, with options in every imaginable style, shade and price bracket. Do check the quality of the fabric if you are tempted by a less expensive option. Some elasticated velvets have an unattractive sheen when stretched over the body and this cheapens the look. Rather as with tights, opaque is more flattering. Silky velvet hangs more easily for dresses and easy pieces, while cotton works well for tailored jackets.
For many years, I have resurrected the same pair of velvet trousers from M&S that have been an annual fixture in my wardrobe, but they look a bit flappy and wide for this season, particularly as I now almost always wear flat shoes and wide leg trousers make me look shorter. If I continue to wear them they will now need taking up slightly of course, because of my new preferred heel height; a slightly narrower pair might look more up to date.
It’s worth noting here that if you are tall, a wide-cut trouser can look wonderful but for shorter people, a narrower shape is always more flattering. There are a lot of lovely wider trousers available.
If you are resurrecting last year’s velvet, things to check for are patches of shininess where the fabric has crushed and worn, and stretch marks and creases in the crotch and under the arms, also rain spotting (some silk and cotton velvets hate water while others are washable). If you are careful you can steam some of these things out, but depending on the velvet you could just make matters worse so always read the care label. A favourite find was a delicious rose pink cotton velvet jacket at Cabbages and Roses. For those who enjoy the process of a madeto-measure service, I recommend Edina Ronay’s small but lovely collection of velvet dresses and coats.
I have found several gloriously pretty velvet dresses to tempt you but if a dress seems a bit much, it’s worth considering a velvet jacket, which could give new life to a favourite evening dress in crêpe or satin. Alternatively, a velvet skirt is often perfect with a simple cashmere jersey.
If you can find nothing that appeals, you can of course make like Scarlett O’hara and resort to taking down the sitting room curtains to make something – but perhaps draw the line at including the tie-backs.