How to Wear Velvet This Fall

Velvet used to come out of my closet in December and go back in by January. Now I wear it all fall, mostly because it makes the simplest shape look expensive. It catches the light in a way flat fabric never does.

Color matters too. Black and deep brown velvet look the most grown-up, and they're the easiest to wear during the day. Save brighter shades for a party.

The trick to wearing it on a regular day is to keep the cut simple. Abadia's velvet mini skirt is a clean black A-line that looks great with a gray sweater and loafers. Róhe's velvet maxi skirt is long and straight, the kind of thing you can wear with a white T-shirt. Tom Ford's animal-jacquard midi skirt is more of a moment, black and white with the pattern woven in.

For dresses, Victoria Beckham's Bela midi is a dark velvet gathered at the waist, with short sleeves. It's the one I'd wear to dinner with flat boots. Róhe's velvet maxi dress is black and very plain, and Rick Owens's Strutter gown is draped and brown, for when you really want to be noticed. Maygel Coronel's Guernica dress mixes mesh and velvet and is $570.

Velvet in the daytime is mostly about the jacket and the pants. A velvet blazer over jeans is one of the easiest ways to look dressed up without trying.

Etro's stretch-cotton velvet blazer is a deep green with a printed lining, and it's lovely with denim. Khaite's Rolo jacket in black velvet is double-breasted and sharp through the shoulders. Simkhai's Trueman velvet jacket is $318 with gold buttons, and Abadia's velvet jacket comes in a pale cream, which feels unexpected.

For pants, Khaite's Ryden pant is a slim black leg, Balmain's straight-leg pants are a little fuller, and Veronica Beard's Gracie pants are a flared burgundy at $500. Alaïa's high-rise velvet leggings are for tall boots and a long sweater. For a weekday, I'd wear the Ryden pant with a cream knit and loafers, or the Etro blazer over a white T-shirt and straight jeans.

Pair velvet with something matte, like wool, cotton or denim. Velvet with more shine on top can start to look like a costume.

Velvet shoes and bags are the easiest entry point, because they add softness to an outfit without much commitment.

Aquazzura's Tati 85 sandals are black velvet with crossed straps, for dinner with black pants. Gianvito Rossi's 70 sandals are leopard-print velvet on a platform, very '70s. Zimmermann's Atelier mules are a caramel velvet, and Ancient Greek Sandals' velvet wedge mules are $460 and look almost like slippers.

For bags, Tom Ford's Arc clutch is black velvet with a gold bar, and Erdem's Bloom top-handle bag is small and black with a sculpted handle. Chloé's Icons bag has studs and a chain, and Valesque's Cami shoulder bag is a cream crushed velvet at $290.

A velvet bag with a wool coat, or velvet shoes with jeans, is how I like wearing it best. Velvet shoes don't love rain, so keep them for dry days and evenings.

Velvet is warm and forgiving, but it can look tired fast if it gets crushed or shiny at the knees. Hang it, and steam it instead of ironing. Velvet also looks best when it fits properly, so check the shoulders on a jacket and the length on pants.

What I'd skip: bright jewel-tone velvet head to toe, which reads as a party costume, and thin velvet with a plastic sheen. I'd also be careful with velvet pants in a hot office. They're cozy for a reason.

Wear one velvet piece at a time with plain wool, cotton or denim. A velvet blazer over jeans or a velvet skirt with a gray sweater is how it stops being a holiday fabric and becomes part of your regular week. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Velvet flats and Burgundy Dress.

Velvet, varsity knits and a very good trench, for the rest of the season.

Velvet Jacket

Varsity Sweater

NYC Fall Outfits

Burberry Jacket for Women

Purple Sweater

Sherpa Jacket

Winter Hats for Women

Burgundy and Chocolate Brown Outfits to Try This Fall