Velvet fabric

Also called: Crushed velvet, Velour (a knitted cousin)

Weight: Heavy
Drape: Soft
Stretch: Slight
Sheen: Soft
Breathability: Low
Creasing: Medium
Seasons: Fall, Winter
Care: Steam from the back; never press the pile flat. Dry clean.
Typical use: Winter gowns, party dresses, wraps and blazers

Highlights and balances

Highlights

Gives deep, rich color
Feels warm and luxurious

Wear it when

Events it suits

Pairs with

Silhouettes: Column, Sheath, Fit-and-flare
Sleeves: Long sleeve
Lengths: Floor length, Midi

Avoid if

The event is in summer heat
You want a light fabric that packs flat

The defining fabric of winter and holiday dressing, for dresses and men's dinner jackets alike.

What is velvet? It is a woven cloth covered in a short, tightly packed pile, so it feels soft under your hand and holds color with more depth than a flat weave. You find velvet fabric on winter gowns, holiday party dresses, wraps and men’s dinner jackets, and on lists of wedding dress fabrics for cold-weather celebrations.

How to spot velvet

Stroke the surface in two directions. The pile lies one way, so the fabric feels smooth in one direction and slightly rougher in the other, and the shade shifts as you go. On a hanger, velvet gives off a soft glow rather than a bright shine, with darker tones in the folds and lighter ones where light lands. Crushed velvet has its pile pressed in mixed directions, which gives it a mottled, shimmering surface.

Brocade: brocade has a raised pattern woven into the cloth and keeps a stiff, structured shape, while velvet has a plain plush surface and falls in soft folds.
Velour: velour is knitted rather than woven, so a listing will usually describe it as a knit.

Wearing velvet well

Velvet is heavy and drapes softly, so clean lines show it best. A column or sheath lets the pile catch light along one long line, and a fit-and-flare skirt swings with the fabric’s weight. Long sleeves suit it because velvet belongs to fall and winter and breathes very little. For black tie or a gala, try floor length first. For cocktail or festive codes, start with a midi.

For a cocktail-code winter wedding, try a midi velvet sheath in deep green with long sleeves, sheer tights and a wool coat for the outdoor photos. Keep clear of white, near-white and the bridal party’s color, and test your shade in the Wedding Guest Color Checker.

In practice, hang the dress as soon as you arrive, because velvet creases moderately. Steam it from the inside, never press the pile flat, and send it to a dry cleaner.

FAQ

Is velvet formal?

Yes. It suits every code from festive and cocktail up to white tie. A floor-length velvet gown reads formal enough for the most formal evenings, and a velvet midi fits cocktail parties.

Can I wear velvet to a summer wedding?

Choose something lighter. Velvet traps heat, so in summer it gets uncomfortable fast. A breathable fabric from the fabrics section of the glossary will suit a warm day better.

Can men wear velvet?

Yes. A velvet dinner jacket is a classic winter and holiday choice, and festive attire invites velvet for every guest. Pair it with dark trousers and a bow tie for a black tie evening.