Velvet is a luxurious fabric that’s perfect for wintertime, especially in rich jewel tones. And this year, mixing velvet items into your wardrobe will help you put a fashionable, if not regal, foot forward.
“This season, because there’s such a huge nod to the Victorian trend, this is a fabric you want to add to your closet,” style expert Lilliana Vazquez told Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on TODAY Wednesday.
She showed us how to incorporate the plush woven fabric into our everyday lives in ways big and small. And the best news? Each piece featured on the velvet edition of “Luxe for Less” rings up at less than $50.
Even so, you will still want to treat these items with the proper care. Velvet can be dry cleaned or steamed from the inside out. Vazquez cautioned against folding velvet clothing because the fibers can break, and you should never iron this material.
Vazquez's picks:
Velvet clothing
Velvet dress, $39.99, Aritzia
This dress features one of the most flattering silhouettes in a dress: the classic wrap style.
“But instead of doing it in a flimsier fabric, we did it in this really plush, luxurious velvet,” Vazquez said. “In that fabric, it’s hard to find something that looks that expensive.”
She topped the dress with a white blazer and added color with a blue shoe. The fabric makes the dress easy to go from a day at the office to a night out.
“It’s super-transitional, which is what we love about the fabric,” Vazquez said.
Velvet jacket, $29.99, H&M
“Typically when you think of velvet, you think of a blazer, but wait until you see this jacket,” Vazquez said.
In deep hunter green, Vazquez noted its beautiful tassel tie, "which to me makes it look so pricey.”
This jacket is easy to wear. She styled it over a white blouse and leather leggings, with a dressy sandal in pewter.
“I think it’s a great date night outfit,” Vazquez said. “You’re covered up but you’re still feeling a little sexy.”
Velvet accessories
If you’re not ready for a full velvet look, you can dip your toe in by wearing just an accessory. Perhaps you'd like a velvet turban like the one Katy Perry wore recently. Turbans can be worn forward or turned backward for a different look.
Other options are velvet shoes or a handbag.
“I love a velvet shoe because if you don’t want to commit to the trend, it’s a super-easy way to do it,” Vazquez said.
Velvet turban, $28, I’m With the Band
Pointed toe velvet ankle boots, $39, Asos
Velvet double d'Orsay pointed toe pumps, $18.49, Charlotte Russe
Smoking slippers, $5, available at Primark stores only
Velvet is also a classic fabric for an evening bag, Vazquez pointed out.
Velvet tassel clutch, $24.99, Target
Beaded velvet clutch, $10, available at Primark stores only
Another tip for wearing velvet: Check the weather forecast, because you can’t pretreat velvet shoes. What happens if you wear them out and it starts to rain?
“You want to run inside real quick,” Vazquez said.
TODAY.com contributor Lisa A. Flam is a news and lifestyles reporter in New York. Follow her on Twitter: @lisaflam