The Velvet Dress

I have had a velvet crush going for months now and it does not show any signs of stopping, especially now that so many of my favorite shops are adding some fabulous velvet things to their winter collections.  That is why I am so pleased that many of my favorite shops like FemmeLuxe have added some velvet dresses, tops, and skirts to their winter line-up too.  I say “winter” instead of “holiday” because velvet should not be pigeon-holed into that narrow window of December festivities.  Velvet is thick and plush and basically an ideal cold weather fabric.  I start wearing it in October and it carries me all the way through February. 

In the past few months I've done a number of #velvetcrush posts on the blog and on Instagram, but for the most part those outfits have involved a velvet tops and there was one skirt, but up until now I have not yet done a velvet dress.  Tops and skirts are a great way to ease in to any fashion trend, testing the waters as it were, I suppose belts and shoes are the equivalent of the kiddie pool with water wings, but there does eventually come a time to take the plunge.  Jumping in head first and head to toe on trend.  Today is that day for velvet and me.  The only reason that I've been waiting is simply that I wanted to wait for just the right dress and this Red Velvet Strappy Square Neck Bodycon Midaxi Dress - Sara from FemmeLuxe is definitely it. 

If you read my post from Thursday (you can read it here in case you missed it) you may remember that I talked about cheering up your winter wardrobe with some warm rich colors like red.  Red has a wonderful effect on the mood in these bleak winter months and while you're adding that spicy hue to your closet, why not add it in a lush velvet fabric?  I love the look and feel of velvet.  It takes away the need to layer up and lets me keep the svelt silhouette created by a midaxi bodycon dress like the Sara Dress.  *quick note:  a midaxi is a midi-maxi combo! 

FemmeLuxe has beautiful Glitter Crop Tops, Slinky Dresses, and PU Leggings,  and I know that anytime I'm looking for  confidence building bodycon dresses, FemmeLuxe has the style and fit that I can trust.  They've never steered me wrong and I have to admit there have been many times when I was pretty amazed at just how great my body could look thanks to their dresses, corset tops, and High Waist Jeans.

 

The question for today's post is: Is there a right way to style velvet?  The answer is yes, and it’s so easy! So, here are just a few tips for styling velvet and don’t forget to check out FemmeLuxe’s new collection of Velvet dresses, tops and loungewear.

As you can see from this post and most of my other velvet posts, I go pretty minimal on styling.  Velvet is a thick fabric, it can be bulky, especially if you have something that is loose fitting or has lots of ruching, and/or frills.  I’ve started with this SaraDress which is a basic, no frills bodycon dress and as you can see it does all the work of being a stand-out piece without adding accessories.  And the rich color that velvet creates is heavenly!  So, I don’t need to wear a lot of color with it because, once again, the dress does all the work.  I chose to add only a small delicate necklace, some small earrings, and a large rose hair accessory. 

If you want to add a shrug or bolero, either would look nice, and I suggest something in black.  A small simple shrug could frame your waist nicely, but a belt thick or thin, would just be distracting and awkward, so beyond a shrug, I don’t see any need for more. 

 

So, am I going to save this dress just for the December holidays?  Not a chance.  I've got plenty of events in January and there's at least one big day in February that this dress will be perfect for.  (it's never too early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, right?) 

Shopping Info: Red Velvet Strappy Square Neck Bodycon Midaxi Dress - Sara from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, hair rose from Claire's