timeless classic | velvet
even though velvet is the ‘it’ fabric this season seen everywhere from shoes, to boots, to pants, to skirts, to jackets even handbags this luxurious fabric has been around for centuries. some claim velvet dates all the way back to the Han dynasty in China circa 206 b.c.. it’s reported that once the western world caught sight of this beautiful textile, it found its way onto the silk road trade route. due to its soft pile and sumptuous touch velvet is often associated with European nobility, the church, and royalty. and with good reason as the price of velvet was exorbitant due to a labor-intensive technique used to create this fabric along with a special loom. this is what drove up the price of velvet making it affordable to only a select few.
italy is the first European country to manufacture velvet. it quickly became popular among the aristocracy and ecclesiastes with velvet making an appearance on furniture, curtains, state and church robes and wall hangings. the renaissance is considered the high point of velvet and at times was constructed from precious metals like silver and gold. fast forward to the industrial revolution where velvet production became faster and easier and was now made available to the masses. these days, if you want to add instant glamour to an outfit, think velvet.
velvet has hung in my closet since a young girl but was always reserved for special occasions. during the christmas season, a red velvet dress always seemed to materialize for family photos. an all-time favorite memory of mine is my first school dance when my mother hauled her sewing machine from storage, plopped it on our dining room table and went to work constructing a black velvet dress with an ivory lace portrait collar. let me tell you it was scrumptious. isn’t it fascinating how fashion conjures memories? how many of us remember what we wore on a first date? or the first day of high school? job interview?
today, i’m wearing a very affordable version of velvet scored on one of my target runs. this bomber jacket currently on sale is perfect for a festive occasion but will look just as elegant if not more casual when paired with blue jeans. to keep the look simple and chic i trotted out silk joggers from ralph lauren similar here and velvet sandals similar here purchased last season. the necklace is from talbots circa 2016. take a look at a similar one here. all-in-all i’m ready to step into the holidays. how about you?
pants | camisole | jacket | shoes | similar handbag | similar necklace
Pretty color! I also always have something velvet in my closet–last year I got 2 pairs of pants–one kind of this color you’re wearing and one a soft grey–both on a fabulous sale. I think what I love about velvet is the way it captures the nuances of light–so lovely!