Styling a velvet bodysuit through the autumn months

Velvet has a reputation for being a special-occasion fabric, which undersells it considerably. A well-cut velvet bodysuit in a deep seasonal colour is one of the more versatile pieces you can own in autumn, provided you understand how the fabric behaves under different layers.

Why velvet works particularly well in autumn ¶

The pile of a velvet fabric absorbs light rather than reflecting it, which gives it a depth that flat fabrics do not have. In autumn colours, midnight navy, deep burgundy, forest green, this quality makes the piece look considered rather than dressed-up. It reads as intentional without requiring much else around it.

Velvet also has a slight warmth to it that lighter fabrics do not. It is not a thermal layer, but it adds a degree of comfort in the transition from a heated interior to a cold street that a thin jersey does not.

What to wear over a velvet bodysuit ¶

The surface of velvet catches on fine knitwear, which means a chunky or loosely woven knit is a better outer layer than a fine merino. A structured blazer or a woven coat works well because the lining slides over the velvet without pulling the pile.

For a weekday look, a velvet bodysuit under a tailored blazer with wide-leg trousers is a complete outfit that requires no additional layering. The bodysuit handles the neckline and the tuck, and the blazer does the rest. For an evening, remove the blazer and the look shifts without any other change.

Caring for velvet between wears ¶

Velvet pile flattens with pressure and friction. After wearing, hang the piece rather than folding it, and keep it away from other garments that might press against the surface. If the pile flattens in one area, holding it briefly over steam from a kettle at a distance of about 20 centimetres will lift it back. Do not press velvet directly with an iron.

The velvet scoop bodysuit in the current collection is available in midnight navy and deep burgundy. Both colourways are in stock now.