Once the temperature drops and the holiday party invites start rolling in, few garments fit the season better than a velvet blazer. It feels equally at home at a winter wedding, date night, or cocktail party.
The trick is knowing how to wear it. Velvet looks sharp once you’ve handled three things — balancing its texture with the rest of your outfit, getting the right fit, and matching the look to the dress code. This guide walks through all three, plus what to wear with a velvet blazer from the neckwear down to your shoes.
How to Style a Black Velvet Blazer
Styling men’s blazers usually starts with color and texture.
Choosing Your Velvet Blazer’s Color
A black velvet blazer is the most versatile place to start for a dressy jacket. It’s the easiest color to pair with nearly every shirt, knit, and trouser in your closet, and it works across the widest range of occasions.
A blue velvet blazer is a close second to black. Navy, in particular, is a soft and polished alternative. Style a navy velvet blazer with a white or pale blue shirt, gray wool trousers, and dark brown oxfords or loafers.
Deeper jewel tones, such burgundy and bottle green, are great options for someone who wants to stand out. But save the festive green or red velvet jacket for more casual gatherings.
Velvet and Other Textures
Velvet is a distinctive fabric that brings texture and visual interest to your outfit. Try pairing a velvet jacket with smooth, solid pieces rather than another bold weave or print. A plain shirt and flat-finish trousers let the jacket stand out and keep you looking classy.
Follow the same restrained approach for accessories. Pick one or two formal accents at most, like a plain silk pocket square, simple cufflinks, a minimal watch, or a belt that matches your shoes. Anything more may appear more maximalist than you want.
The one exception is velvet loafers. They can be a great addition to echo the jacket and make your outfit look cohesive.
What to Wear Under A Velvet Blazer
What you layer underneath a velvet blazer sets the formality of the whole outfit. Go crisp and formal for evening events, or soften things up with knitwear for more relaxed plans. Regardless of the dress code, keep your under layer neat and relatively thin so the blazer closes comfortably and its shape remains clear.
Shirts and Formal Layers
A crisp white dress shirt is the safest choice for a wedding or cocktail party. Smooth poplin looks clean against velvet’s plush surface. Pale blue is another easy option, especially under a navy or blue velvet blazer. If the event is formal, choose a structured collar that sits well with a tie and make sure the shirt cuffs show about a quarter inch beneath the jacket sleeves.
If you get invited to a black-tie optional affair, you can pair a velvet dinner jacket with tuxedo trousers, a dress shirt, bow tie and patent or velvet Oxfords.
Knitwear and Casual Layers
For a smart casual look, swap the dress shirt for a low-bulk knit that won’t bunch under the jacket. A fine gauge turtleneck or lightweight merino crewneck can look sleek for a nice dinner. A solid, well-fitting tee can work for a relaxed date or weekend event, provided the venue doesn’t call for a collared shirt.
Ties and Formal Neckwear
Choose a plain silk or simple knit tie in the same color as your velvet jacket. Patterns and high-shine accessories can compete with the velvet rather than complement it. Skip the tie for business casual settings and most date nights; an open collar or neat knit keeps the look relaxed.
What Pants and Shoes To Wear With a Velvet Blazer
Pairing your velvet blazer with the right trousers and footwear comes down to the occasion and dress code.
Dressier Trousers and Footwear
For cocktail and evening dress codes, pair your velvet blazer with tuxedo trousers or wool dress pants, finished with polished leather oxfords or loafers. Brogues or monk straps add a little character without looking too bold. If you’re going to a party or artsy event, feel free to take velvet loafers for a fun spin.
Velvet Blazer With Jeans
A velvet blazer with jeans is a go-to combo for smart casual winterwear. Choose dark, unfaded denim with a slim fit and little to no distressing.
In cold weather, pair your velvet blazer and jeans with Chelsea boots. If it’s unseasonably mild, clean white sneakers can work for casual events.
Pairings to Avoid
A few trouser and shoe choices tend to undercut a velvet blazer, including:
- Matching velvet trousers: A 100% velvet suit can look like a costume rather than a fashion statement.
- Shiny or satin trousers: The competing sheen and texture can look cheap next to velvet.
- Heavy or chunky footwear: Bulky boots and thick-soled shoes can overpower the blazer thin, trim lines.
How A Velvet Blazer Should Fit
Fit matters with any jacket, but velvet is even less forgiving than wool. Its pile catches light on every pull and wrinkle, so fit mistakes that might go unnoticed on a wool jacket show up immediately on velvet.
To ensure a proper fit, check:
- Shoulders: The seams should sit close to the outer edge of your shoulders without hanging over or digging in.
- Chest and button: You should be able to fasten the jacket without any pulls or wrinkles.
- Sleeves: The cuffs should land near your wrist, allowing a small amount of shirt cuff to show when you wear a dress shirt underneath.
- Silhouette: The waist should follow your body without squeezing it, and the jacket should move comfortably when you sit or reach.
What A Tailor Can Fix
A tailor can adjust sleeve length and refine the waist, depending on the jacket’s construction and available fabric. Rebuilding the shoulders is far more difficult and may leave visible changes in velvet’s texture. If you’re between sizes, always pick the jacket that fits in the shoulders.
Men’s Wearhouse’s in-store alteration services can make your velvet blazer look just right. Remember to bring the shirt or swear you plan to wear underneath it to get an accurate fit.
Velvet Blazer Outfit Ideas By Occasion
Here are some outfit ideas to try out this cold-weather season.
Dressier Events
For formal or dressier events, these combinations won’t miss:
- Cocktail party: Wear a black velvet blazer with a white dress shirt, black wool trousers, and polished black shoes. Add a colorful pocket square for a festive finish.
- Holiday party: Pair a navy or bottle green velvet blazer with a white or pale blue shirt, gray trousers, and velvet loafers.
- Fall or winter wedding: Pair a navy velvet blazer with a pale blue shirt and gray trousers. Add a simple tie if the invitation calls for one.
- Black-tie optional events: Wear tuxedo trousers with a black velvet dinner jacket. Add a white dress shirt, bow tie, and patent or polished black shoes.
Smart Casual Settings
For more relaxed events, try these outfit ideas:
- Business casual: Wear a velvet blazer over a turtleneck with gray wool trousers and brogues.
- Date nights and dinners: Pair your blazer with jeans or chinos and a merino crewneck for a cool look.
- Weekend events: Pair a velvet blazer over a solid tee with jeans or chinos and clean white sneakers.
When to Skip a Velvet Blazer
Velvet’s luxurious plush fabric lends itself well to cool-weather events. It’s a natural fit for fall and winter weddings, but it’s too warm and heavy for summer ceremonies, beach weddings, and other warm-weather occasions. It’s also best left at home for conservative job interviews where a traditional jacket or suit would be more appropriate. Save the velvet for occasions when you can show off a little personal style.
Find Your Velvet Blazer at Men’s Wearhouse
Whether you’re dressing for a holiday party, a winter wedding, or a night out, Men’s Wearhouse has a lineup of blazers in black, navy, and seasonal shades, plus expert tailoring to make sure yours fits just right. Stop by a store or shop online, and make this the season you show up in velvet.
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