This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure.
Key takeaways
- Make velvet the one dressy piece and keep the rest matte: a silky blouse, a fine knit or denim.
- A blazer or pull-on trousers is easier to wear and repeat than a velvet dress.
- Hang velvet on a padded hanger and steam it. Folding can leave creased lines in the pile.
- Velvet is not only for evening: pair it with a striped tee, jeans and sneakers for the day.
In this post12 sections
- What You Need: The Velvet Outfit Kit
- How to Wear Velvet Over 50 in 5 Steps
- 6 Velvet Outfits for Women Over 50: Blazers and Trousers
- 1. Burgundy Velvet Blazer, Ivory Silky Blouse and Black Trousers
- 2. Black Velvet Wide-Leg Trousers, Cream Sweater and Loafers
- 3. Navy Velvet Shirt-Jacket and Navy Velvet Trousers: A Tonal Column
- 4. Forest Green Velvet Blazer, Striped Tee and Dark Jeans
- 5. Plum Velvet Tunic, Slim Turtleneck, Leggings and a Long Coat
- 6. Wine Velvet Straight Trousers, Satin Blouse and Block-Heel Boots
- Velvet Mistakes and the Easy Swaps
- Variations for Your Day
- FAQ
What You Need: The Velvet Outfit Kit
You do not need everything below. Choose one velvet piece, one matte partner and one care item, and the rest comes from your closet.
Velvet outfit kit
- Start here
Velvet blazer in burgundy, navy or forest green
Typically $45 to $110
The most flexible velvet piece. It works over dresses, trousers and jeans.
Check price on Amazon for Velvet blazer in burgundy, navy or forest green -
Pull-on velvet wide-leg trousers
Typically $30 to $65
An elastic waist makes a long dinner comfortable. Check the inseam length in the listing.
Check price on Amazon for Pull-on velvet wide-leg trousers -
Silky blouse
Typically $25 to $60
A smooth matte or satin partner for a velvet blazer.
Check price on Amazon for Silky blouse -
Fine merino turtleneck
Typically $40 to $100
Slim knit under a blazer or tunic without adding bulk.
Check price on Amazon for Fine merino turtleneck -
Handheld garment steamer
Typically $20 to $50
The safe way to relax creases without pressing an iron onto the pile.
Check price on Amazon for Handheld garment steamer -
Padded hangers
Typically $15 to $30
Hang velvet instead of folding it, so the pile does not get creased lines.
Check price on Amazon for Padded hangers
How to Wear Velvet Over 50 in 5 Steps
These five steps follow the questions readers ask most, in the order you will meet them: what to buy, what to pair it with, how it should fit, how to wear it in the day, and how to look after it.
-
Step 1: Step 1: Choose a velvet piece that is not a dress
Start with a blazer or a pair of trousers. A blazer is velvet worn at arm's length from your face, and trousers give you the texture with a lot of comfort. Dark shades such as burgundy, navy, forest green and black are the most versatile.
Smooth velvet with a little stretch moves more easily than stiff velvet, so look for the word stretch in the fabric details. A velvet dress is lovely, but it is a single outfit, while a blazer can be worn five ways.
-
Step 2: Step 2: Mix velvet with matte textures
Velvet has shine and body, so partner it with something flat and quiet. One style blog suggests a velvet blazer over a silky blouse, or velvet pants with a cashmere sweater. A retail blog suggests layering velvet with knitwear, chiffon or wool, including a velvet tunic over a slim turtleneck under a coat.
The rule is one shine, two mattes. If the top is velvet, the bottoms and shoes are matte.
-
Step 3: Step 3: Fit velvet so it drapes
Velvet adds visual volume because the pile catches the light. Choose a drape that skims rather than clings, such as wide-leg or straight trousers with an elastic or flat waistband, and a blazer with soft shoulders.
Check the hem. Velvet trousers should just skim the top of your shoes, because the heavier fabric drags on the floor when it is too long. Sit down in the fitting room before you buy.
-
Step 4: Step 4: Take velvet into the daytime
Casual velvet works with denim and sneakers. A velvet blazer over a striped tee and dark jeans turns an ordinary day into a styled one, and it can come off if you get warm.
Save shiny velvet for evening and choose a matte-finish velvet or a darker shade for work and lunches.
-
Step 5: Step 5: Care for velvet so it keeps its pile and color
Read the care label first. Many velvets say dry clean only, and fiber content differs.
Hang velvet on a padded hanger, because folding can leave creased lines and flattened pile that look like patches of a different shade. Relax creases with steam held a few inches away from the fabric, never an iron pressed onto the pile, and use a soft brush to lift the pile gently. Store it in a breathable garment bag.
6 Velvet Outfits for Women Over 50: Blazers and Trousers
The six outfits below use a velvet blazer or velvet trousers, and a matte partner. Prices are typical ranges for each shopping category.
1Burgundy Velvet Blazer, Ivory Silky Blouse and Black Trousers
The formula: burgundy velvet blazer + ivory silky blouse + black tailored trousers + black pointed flats + gold drops.
Why it works: The classic dinner outfit. The blazer brings the festive feel and the blouse keeps it light.
- Leave the blazer open and roll the blouse sleeves to the wrist.
A style to shop, not one product. Check the fabric details for stretch.
2Black Velvet Wide-Leg Trousers, Cream Sweater and Loafers
The formula: black velvet wide-leg trousers + cream cashmere-blend sweater + black leather loafers + thin gold chain.
Why it works: Velvet pants with a soft knit feel as comfortable as pajamas but look much more finished.
- Choose a sweater that ends at the high hip so the trouser waist stays smooth.
A style to shop, not one product. Check the inseam in the listing.
3Navy Velvet Shirt-Jacket and Navy Velvet Trousers: A Tonal Column
The formula: navy velvet shirt-jacket + navy fine-knit tee + navy velvet wide-leg trousers + black ankle boots.
Why it works: A column of one color looks polished, and that blog's example is a velvet shirt with wide-leg pants in navy or black. Two velvet pieces in one shade read as a set rather than a costume.
- Match the shade as closely as you can, in daylight. Dark navies can look different under shop lights.
A style to shop, not one product. Check that the buttons close comfortably over the bust.
4Forest Green Velvet Blazer, Striped Tee and Dark Jeans
The formula: forest green velvet blazer + striped tee + dark straight jeans + white leather sneakers.
Why it works: This is velvet for a Tuesday. Stripes and denim take the dressiness down.
- Push the sleeves to your forearm for a relaxed look.
A style to shop, not one product. Check that the fabric is not see-through.
5Plum Velvet Tunic, Slim Turtleneck, Leggings and a Long Coat
The formula: plum velvet long tunic + slim black turtleneck + black ponte leggings + black ankle boots + long wool coat.
Why it works: A velvet tunic over a slim turtleneck under a coat is one suggestion from a retail blog, and it adds warmth. The tunic covers the hip.
- Choose a tunic that ends mid-thigh so it works with leggings.
A style to shop, not one product. Check the length in the listing.
6Wine Velvet Straight Trousers, Satin Blouse and Block-Heel Boots
The formula: wine velvet straight-leg trousers + ivory satin blouse + black suede block-heel boots + gold drops.
Why it works: Wine velvet is a rich color on its own, so the blouse stays pale and plain.
- Tuck only the front of the blouse. It keeps the waist smooth.
A style to shop, not one product. Check how the fabric looks in photos with natural light.
| Velvet piece | Matte partner | Shoes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blazer | Silky blouse, striped tee, fine turtleneck | Flats, loafers or sneakers | Dinner, church, work, daytime |
| Wide-leg or straight trousers | Cashmere or merino sweater, satin blouse | Loafers, block-heel boots | Long dinners, travel, parties |
| Shirt-jacket or tunic | Slim turtleneck, leggings | Ankle boots | Layering under a coat |
| Dress | Cardigan, wool coat | Boots, tights | A single outfit for one event |
Velvet Mistakes and the Easy Swaps
Do this
- One velvet piece per outfit, or a tonal pair.
- Hang velvet on a padded hanger.
- Steam from a few inches away.
- Pair velvet with matte knits or silk.
- Check the care label before every wash or clean.
Not this
- Velvet on top and bottom in two different shades.
- Folding velvet flat in a drawer or suitcase.
- Pressing an iron on the pile.
- Velvet with shiny sequins and satin together.
- A stiff velvet that you cannot sit down in.
Variations for Your Day
For work: wear a dark velvet blazer over a collared shirt and trousers. Choose navy, black or forest green.
For travel: choose pull-on velvet trousers and wear them on the plane. Carry the blazer over your arm and hang it as soon as you arrive.
For church: velvet trousers with a silky blouse and a long coat is warm and covered. See our Christmas Eve outfits for more, or the blazer outfits for women over 40 for non-velvet blazers.
Velvet outfit check before you leave
If you want the outfits ready-made, the Style Vault puts the Outfit Formula Cards, the Work Wardrobe Kit and the Holiday Outfit Planner in one download. You can also see more holiday ideas in our holiday party outfit ideas and Christmas sweater outfits.
Frequently asked questions
Can women over 50 wear velvet?
Yes. Velvet is a fabric, not an age category. A velvet blazer or pull-on trousers in a dark shade with matte partners works at any age.
How do you wear a velvet blazer casually?
Wear it over a striped tee and dark jeans with white sneakers or loafers. Push the sleeves up and leave it open.
How do you keep velvet from creasing or looking patchy?
Hang it on a padded hanger instead of folding it, steam it a few inches from the fabric and brush the pile gently. Check the care label first.
Can I wash velvet clothes?
It depends on the fiber and the label. Many velvets are dry clean only, so follow the label and ask a cleaner who handles velvet.
What colors of velvet are the easiest to wear?
Black, navy, burgundy and forest green work with the most outfits. Wine and plum are good choices when you want a richer shade.
Save it for later
Pin this to your Seasonal Outfits board so it's there when you need it.
Save to Pinterest
