Hafsa Lodi
If you've been gazing at store window displays that show mannequins swathed in velveteen garments, but haven't yet bothered to nab your own velvet piece, this week is your window to do so. Frankly, the next month or two is all you have left of windy winter days here in the Emirates, where you can happily make use of your winter wardrobe of boots, sweatshirts, leathers, faux furs and velvets. So get a move on and pick up at least one piece from the high street.
Decadent but not excessively daring, velvet is more versatile than it may seem. The key with velvet is to look for silhouettes that are simple, rather than overworked and overembellished. Think oversized T-shirts, kimono wraps and culottes – not fitted turtlenecks, school-girl-style mini skirts, or, God forbid, capri-length leggings. Look for colours other than black, such as grey, maroon and navy. Opting for velvet, whether its exterior is smooth or features a crinkle effect, will instantly elevate a basic jeans-and-tee ensemble, and can easily take you from day to night. Still on trend, chokers look great with velvet – one of these ribbons is all you need around your neck to complete your outfit, but you could also layer two to three chains of varying lengths to complement the choker.
Alternatively, rock velvet in culottes or wide-leg trousers, but take care to keep your top half basic – a plain T-shirt or blazer will do. Though velvet generally isn’t considered minimalist, minimalism is the word to keep in mind while styling it.
Some of us may be wary of the textile, due to a past filled with its fair share of velour tracksuits, which have since been sold, donated to charity or converted into dusting cloths. But we mustn’t connote velvets with our potentially questionable histories with the fabric. Give velvet a chance, while you still can.
hlodi@thenational.ae
