Thanksgiving is fast approaching. In two weeks, the holiday season will officially start. There will be shopping, decorating and, of course, parties to attend. I suggest finding a couple of winter party outfits now before you are scrambling. Velvet filled the shows at Giorgio Armani, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Alexander McQueen, but other designers also played with the soft luminescent fabric. In general, there was no defining trend: velvet appeared in a variety of styles. From long to short dresses and skinny to voluminous shapes, the only message seemed to be that velvet was chic again and not reserved for stuffy matrons and kindergarteners.

To keep velvet from looking too tacky, stick with darker colors. Black becomes blacker when it is velvet. Stay away from brown and yellow colors. There is something so hideous about those colors as velvet fabric. I think it reminds me of old 70’s upholstery. JMM’s embroidered tank ($242) is a perfect example of incorporating color into velvet without going overboard. Without the Moroccan embroidery, the black tank would be too simple. The parallel lines and shapes add a visual focus. This is an ideal going out top, and you don’t even need excessive jewelry!

Since velvet is a thicker fabric, go for more seductive cuts and you will successfully not look like Grandma. The market currently carries many velvet dress options, but I especially like a dress by Free People ($108). The dress at first seems demure enough with the four rosettes and a sweet pink tie back. Yet, the two layers of mesh lace (which is a big trend this winter!) simultaneously reveal and hide. This little black dress can be worn to any holiday party with tall boots or pumps. Just make sure to give yourself ample support, because the deep-V will show any sagginess. And no one wants to see saggy.

I like to think of velvet as rich chocolate. It’s luscious and luxurious, but not everyone is a fan because depending on the taste, it can be too much. If you are among the people who find velvet to be too much (or don’t like rich chocolate), incorporating velvet touches is a great way to get into the holiday mood. Headbands, trims and belts are certainly options, but adding a touch of velvet to your footwear is perhaps the ultimate luxe touch. Whether the entire shoe is made from velvet or only bits are used in the design, you can’t go wrong. Boots are still going strong this season, so I especially like the “Cortina” style by Lumiani ($300). With 4-inch heels, the boot is sultry and innocent. You can wear it from day to night. The velvet ribbon winds up and around the calf. With a detail like that, you almost have to wear the boots with tights, leggings or skinny jeans that can be tucked in.

The colder months bring in seasonal fabrics such as flannel and fur. Velvet is often looked over, but be fashion-forward and bring it back! Capitalize on the holiday season to exploit this silky soft fabric.

Where to Shop:
www.cusp.com
www.freepeople.com
www.zappos.com

runway photos: style.com