Velvet has an incredibly long history of reinvention. As early as 2,000 B.C., the plush fabric graced the backs of nobility and their royal courts. Records show that King Richard II of England, for instance, was so fond of the fabric in the 1300s that he requested to be buried in it. But as the years progressed, so did the textile. It became cheaper to produce and therefore, more democratized. We’ve seen it turned into hoop skirts in the Victorian era, beaded flapper dresses in the 20s, burnout kimonos in the 60s and puffed-sleeve getups in the 80s.
Emilio Pucci, Alberta Ferretti, Sonia Rykiel Fall 2015; Images: Imaxtree
By now, it feels like the opulent textile has undergone every iteration imaginable. That may explain why designers didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel for fall. Instead, they gave us an amalgamation of the best looks throughout the years. Sonia Rykiel and Chloe took on the 70s with sweeping boho maxis and plunging jumpsuits, Christopher Kane and Dries Van Noten rekindled the 90s with wide-leg trousers and vibrant sheath dresses and Alberta Ferretti tackled the Italian Renaissance with lavish jackets and embroidered stovepipe bottoms. Care to walk down memory lane?
To shop our favorite picks for velvet this season, click on the gallery below.
Fall Trend: Velvet
-
Zara
Wide Velvet Trousers, $129 at Zara
-
ASOS
Velvet Asymmetric Bandeau Midi Dress, $103.91 at ASOS
-
Italia Independent
I-V Velvet Round-Framed Sunglasses, $240 at Matches Fashion
-
H&M
Velvet Camisole Top, $17.99 at H&M
-
MiH Jeans
Marrakesh Flare Jeans in 70s Velvet, $367.26 at ASOS
-
Rachel Pally
Velvet Nori Skirt, $211 at Shopbop
-
Nasty Gal
Ivy Velvet Heel, $78 at Nasty Gal
-
Urban Outfitters
Velvet Turban Hat, $29 at Urban Outfitters
-
KMB
Velvet D'Orsay Flats, $128 at Anthropologie
-
Free People
Velvet Twisted One Piece, $198 at Free People
-
Rag & Bone
Suki Velvet Skirt, $190 at Intermix
-
ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo
Crushed Velvet Slip Dress, $375 at Forward By Elyse Walker
-
Boohoo
Freya Velvet Pointed Block Heel Boots, $52 at Boohoo
-
J Brand
815 Velvet Mid-Rise Skinny Pants, $230 at Net-a-Porter
-
Topshop
Velvet Patch Pocket Shorts, $68 at Topshop
-
Topshop
Gallop Velvet Court Shoes, $105 at Topshop
-
Theory
Thorene Velvet Pants, $285 at Shopbop
