Velvet Jackets: A List Of The Best On The High Street This Season

Last week’s request from our fabulous readers for a velvet jacket round up coincided with my own need for a second glance at that velvet bomber I spotted at Warehouse. Any excuse to go shopping do further research for you all, I’m happy to oblige.

I’m a bit of a velvet geek, I love the stuff and this season there’s a lot around. From swishy wide leg trousers to velvet camisoles and dresses, there’s a few good styles to stock up your wardrobe with. Velvet works well in a bomber jacket (and let’s face it you can get a bomber jacket in any fabric this season, the world’s gone mad for them) and I will be purchasing the navy Warehouse one (£99) above because it held up very well to a second touch-and-feel. I love its quirky nature; the navy, the padding and the fact that it will work that casual-but-cool vibe for Christmas events, from festive drinks with the neighbours to throwing it over a skimpy party number (not that I wear skimpy party numbers, obvs). There’s a nice non-padded one too.

Toast is my go-to brand for Christmas velvet, but this year it’s a bit ‘meh’, although this shirt/jacket style above, (£169) has a charming retro feel and would be a lovely layering piece. Due to me not loving short or cropped shapes, I’d put it over a longer silk shirt and wide leg trousers -possibly also cropped for balance. I always envy shorter people as cropped always looks more in proportion on them, it always looks daft on me.

I’ve been eying up Raey, the Matches own label range, having been tipped off about its wearability (although it is expensive). The slouchy style of this smoking jacket, (£595) with its satin trim is very appealing, it looks like something Vita Sackville West might have flung on before striding out to find a late night drinking club in town. Again, I’m thinking wide leg trousers to go with…

Or if the slouchy look is your thing but you want something a little better priced, you could always go for the M&S wrap jacket (£119) in burgandy velvet. I saw this at the press day back in the Spring; close up in store, I’ve decided this is just a bit too dressing-gowny to work for me, but if you’re a boho-girl with a hippy heart, this might appeal. It would work beautifully over a slip of an evening dress or you could wear it as a dress, just ditch the dressing-gown belt and opt for a thick (vintage) leather number and wear it with knee high boots.

The M&S burgandy velvet, single breasted jacket (£85) is, however, a bit of a winner. It is soft, light and nicely cut. It’s not that slouchy, so if you want it to drape, buy a size up. There are wide legged trousers to match too, and if it was in navy or black I’d have had it in a heartbeat. There is a navy jacket but it’s double breasted, it just looks wrong to me.

I like this Bruce Oldfield for John Lewis black velvet jacket, (£179) it’s very nicely made and it has the neatest silhouette of the edit. There are good shapes in the Bruce Oldfield range, once you’ve picked your way through the slightly Sloane-y vibe and his make and fabric are quality. I’d wear this as a day jacket, it reminds me very much of an ancient Margaret Howell one I’ve nearly worn out; you think it’s a bit classic and dull, but find yourself reaching for it because it just pulls everything together so well. It’s quite New Garconne.

Finally, if you’re not a jacket wearer but still want to work a bit of velvet into your Christmas wardrobe, then wide leg trousers in all shades of plum, burgandy, navy and black are my suggestion. They are fail safe glamour without the discomfort or try-hard angst. M&S do an excellent pair, (£59) and these Finery ones (£99) above, are good, and isn’t that a good shade of damson?

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