If I Could, I Would Wear: Velvet

 ow many times have you passed by a cute accessory or outfit and thought: “I would definitely wear that,” but never end up buying it because you weren’t sure how to incorporate it into your wardrobe? I’ve had this exact train of thought way too many times. To tackle this problem, we’re going to go look through the trends that have been popping up lately and see how we can include them in our own collections of clothes.

The first item on the list?  Velvet: a type of double cloth that’s been trending like crazy in the 2016 Fall/Winter season, showing up in the runways of Gucci, H&M, Balmain, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, and more.

Velvet is a great texture for clothing and accessories because it can straddle two polar opposite styles: royally classic, and rocker chic. I’m a firm believer in the idea that shoes can make or break an outfit. Velvet shoes are one way to up the ante of a casual outfit. These Daisy Street Velvet Boots from asos ($54) can add another layer to a simple outfit. Velvet automatically lends a deeper hue to the royal blue color that draws eyes to the shoes. My biggest worry about getting velvet shoes is keeping them clean. A simple method is to use a soft toothbrush and gently scrub at any stains. If the stain still won’t go away, then you can add a small amount of facial soapsuds to the toothbrush and continue scrubbing.

If velvet shoes seem a little too out there then an easy way to incorporate velvet is a T-shirt. Paired with high-waisted jeans, a simple velvet T-shirt can make you look immediately more put together. Or if you want to try something dramatic, you could try a velvet kimono. If you’re in a rush and feel like you’re wearing only basics, than a velvet overlay is one of the easiest ways to dress up your outfit. Accessories can also go a long way with a simpler outfit. Chokers are one of the big trends this season, but they can seem a little overdone. With a velvet choker, you can try a more unique approach. The Claire Velvet Choker Necklace from Urban Outfitters ($14) pictured below, although simple, adds a richer texture that can change the whole mood of your outfit .

With cold weather coming, stay warm and stylish with velvet!

-Faith Cho

Images courtesy of: Asos, Popsugar, Gurl, and Urban Outfitters.