With all the shindigs happening this time of year, it's easy to get party-dress fatigue from seeing the same couple of concepts over and over: LBDs, turtlenecks, and especially sequins — lots of sequins. However, one of this year's standout trends has nothing to do with how one's outfit catches the light on the dance floor. Rather, it's about texture. What's soft to the touch and surprisingly adaptable to myriad silhouettes? Velvet. This season's fêtes are poised to be the coziest yet, thanks to the influx of chic velvet looks in fall/winter fashions. The cushy fabric is perfectly suited for colder months, with an inviting tactile factor that your flashiest, sparkliest numbers just can't compete with. But the material's slight sheen (and the ultra-rich effect it has when done in darker hues) makes for great nighttime dressing. It gives an elegant and almost regal finish to popular party pieces, like the wrap dress and tailored suit.
Given velvet's versatility, celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Constance Wu have favored it for a wide range of events, from Parisian soirées to red carpet premieres. Surely you, too, will find a place for the plush material in your fancy-dress rotation. Ahead, check out five of our favorite recent velvet moments.
The bodice and calf-grazing skirt of Kendall Jenner's Ulyana Sergeenko dress are constructed of smooth black velvet, while the soft cream ruffled hem offers an interesting textural contrast.
Constance Wu's olive-hued wrap dress is the ultimate solution to a day of party-hopping — a wear-everywhere silhouette with an adjustable neckline. It'll transition seamlessly from family function to yet another family get-together to a pal's party with ease.
Jenny Lewis puts a festive spin on her signature ensemble by opting for a dark velvet suit instead of the usual rainbow-on-white color scheme.
The swing dress is an obvious choice for party season: It's short, easy, and lends itself to dancing. Jaime King's striped burnt-orange number from Line & Dot certainly fits the bill. Bonus:It's under $200!
Deep green velvet softens the structured, military-style silhouette of Demi Lovato's Balmain minidress, while the gold buttons add striking visual contrast.
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