Velvet has always had a touch of drama about it – that soft sheen, that luxurious texture, that sense that you’ve made an effort before you’ve even added jewellery. This Christmas, women’s fashion is serving up velvet suits and blazers in the richest seasonal shades: chocolate brown, grey, black, forest green and red. These are garments designed to celebrate the holidays with style and ease – the kind of jackets that do the talking for you the moment you walk into the room.

Here’s how to wear a velvet jacket this festive season so it looks modern, effortless, and never costume-y.

Go gold coins in accessories.

Contents show

1. Fit Rules: Sharp Shoulders, Slimmer Cut

The secret to a flattering velvet jacket starts with the fit.

  • Shoulders are non-negotiable. The seams should sit exactly at the edge of your shoulders. If they droop, the jacket will look dated and sloppy. Velvet already has volume; you don’t need extra bulk.
  • One size smaller (within reason). Go for a slightly slimmer cut through the body. Not tight, but close enough that it follows your shape. A velvet blazer that skims your waist instantly looks more tailored and luxe.
  • Don’t button it up. This is crucial. Velvet is about movement and light; when you button it, you flatten and stiffen the silhouette. Wear it open so it frames your outfit – it’s like a picture frame around your white shirt, denim, or tweed.

Think of the velvet jacket as an elegant cardigan with structure. It should feel easy to wear, not like a business suit.

2. The White Shirt: Your Velvet’s Best Friend

If you’re unsure what to wear underneath, start with one rule:

A crisp white shirt is a must.

Why?

  • It brightens the whole look, especially with darker velvet tones like chocolate brown, black and forest green.
  • It balances the richness of the fabric – velvet can be intense; white adds breath and light.
  • It looks sharp without trying too hard. You can unbutton the top one or two buttons, roll up the sleeves slightly, and you’ve nailed that “styled but relaxed” mood.

For extra style points:

  • Choose a slightly oversized cotton or poplin white shirt and let a bit of cuff peek from the velvet sleeves.
  • Leave the shirt loose and half-tucked into denim or tailored trousers. Velvet on top, nonchalant below.

Let the contrast of clean white and plush velvet be the star combination.

3. Denim + Velvet: Effortless Day-to-Night

Velvet can feel evening-only, but team it with denim and suddenly it becomes wearable at brunch, Christmas shopping, or that casual drinks party.

How to pair velvet with denim:

  • Chocolate brown velvet + mid-blue jeans: Very 70s luxury, but modern. Add loafers or ankle boots and a white shirt or cream knit under the blazer.
  • Black velvet + dark skinny or straight-leg jeans: Simple, sleek and a bit rock-chic. Add pointed boots or heels and a red lip if you’re in the mood.
  • Forest green velvet + light-wash denim: The contrast of deep green and faded blue looks fresh and youthful.

Keep denim clean and tailored – no huge rips or overly distressed patches. You want the textures to complement, not compete.

Finish with a belt (black or tan leather) and understated jewellery. The idea is to create a high-low mix: everyday denim grounded by a luxurious jacket.

4. Tweed + Velvet: Rich Texture Layering

If you love a more classic or slightly British heritage feel, mixing tweed and velvet is a dream.

  • Tweed mini skirt + velvet blazer: Perfect for Christmas lunches or drinks. Add sheer tights, ankle boots or knee-high leather boots, and a white shirt or fine knit.
  • Tweed trousers + cropped velvet jacket: The structure of tweed on the bottom and softness of velvet on top gives balance and polish.
  • Tweed waistcoat + velvet blazer: For a bolder layered look, add a tweed waistcoat over your shirt under the velvet jacket. Think modern dandy with a feminine twist.

Stick to a controlled colour palette:

  • Grey tweed with black or charcoal velvet
  • Brown tweed with chocolate or forest green velvet
  • Subtle check tweed with a solid red blazer

This is the kind of styling that looks expensive instantly because of the fabric story: textures, layers, depth.

 

5. Colour by Colour: How to Wear Each Velvet Shade

Chocolate Brown

Warm, delicious, and incredibly chic.

  • Pair with cream or white tops to brighten it.
  • Works beautifully with gold jewellery and tan or cognac leather boots.
  • Team with blue denim, beige trousers or camel wool shorts and tights for a cosy, luxurious vibe.

Grey

Understated and modern.

  • Layer over black, white, or soft pastels (pale blue, blush).
  • Grey velvet can feel very urban and sleek – great with black jeans, a black turtleneck and silver jewellery.
  • For a Christmas spin, add a deep red lip or statement earrings.

Black

Always iconic.

  • Best with crisp white for a monochrome moment.
  • Wear with black trousers or jeans for a long, lean line, or break it with denim for casual cool.
  • Add something playful – red velvet shoes, a statement necklace, or a bold clutch – so it doesn’t feel too “boardroom”.

Forest Green

The ultimate festive shade.

  • Stunning over white, cream, or soft gold tones.
  • Pairs well with brown accessories, tan boots, or leopard-print shoes for a bit of attitude.
  • Forest green velvet also looks amazing with dark denim and a white shirt – simple yet very rich.

Red

The show-stopper.

  • Let red velvet be the main event. Keep everything else neutral – white shirt, black trousers or jeans, simple heels.
  • Avoid too many competing colours. Gold jewellery, black shoes and a red lip can be striking, but make sure the tones don’t clash.
  • For daytime, tone it down with light-wash denim and flat loafers or sneakers.

6. How to Style Velvet Suits Without Looking Too Formal

If you’re going for a full velvet suit, the styling becomes even more important.

  • Break it up. Don’t always wear the matching trousers and blazer together. Pair the blazer with denim one day, then wear the trousers with a chunky knit and loafers another day.
  • Sneakers with a velvet suit? Yes. White or minimal trainers instantly relax the look for a more modern, street-ready Christmas outfit.
  • Swap shirts for tees. A fitted white or black T-shirt under a velvet suit makes it feel less “office” and more “cool cocktail bar”.

Again, don’t button the blazer fully – let it hang open and create vertical lines through the centre of your body.

7. Accessories: Let the Velvet Talk

Velvet is already drama. You don’t need to drown it in extras.

  • Jewellery: Go for a few standout pieces – bold earrings or a chunky ring or a statement necklace. Not all three at once.
  • Bags: Leather or suede works best. Avoid more velvet unless you want a very maximalist look.
  • Shoes:
    • Ankle boots (leather or suede) for everyday.
    • Pointed heels or Mary Janes for evening.
    • Loafers or brogues for a tailored holiday brunch look.

The rule here is simple: let the velvet do the talking. Everything else should support, not compete.

8. When and Where to Wear Your Velvet Jacket

Velvet is more versatile than people think:

  • Christmas markets or lunch: Velvet blazer, white shirt, denim, ankle boots.
  • Work Christmas party: Velvet tux-style blazer over tailored black trousers and a silk cami, or over a mini skirt and tights.
  • Family dinners: Forest green or brown velvet jacket, white shirt, tweed skirt, and flat boots – chic without being overdressed.
  • New Year’s Eve: Black or red velvet blazer over a simple slip dress or leather trousers, heels, and statement earrings.

You can dress it up or down by just switching the bottom half and shoes.

9. Caring For Your Velvet

To keep your jacket looking plush:

  • Don’t crush it in a suitcase if you can avoid it. Hang it on a good hanger.
  • Use a clothes brush or lint roller to keep fluff and dust away.
  • Air it out after wearing instead of over-washing or dry cleaning too often – velvet likes a bit of space and gentle handling.

A velvet jacket in chocolate brown, grey, black, forest green or red is the ultimate holiday style weapon. Keep the shoulders sharp, choose a slightly smaller size for a sleek line, wear it open, team it with denim and tweed, and always have that white shirt ready underneath.

You don’t have to shout when your outfit already speaks velvet fluently.