An edit

Velvet and silk

Velvet, silk and satin for evenings out.

Velvet and silk bring deep matte pile together with fluid sheen for evening dressing across jackets, shirts, trousers and skirts.

Contrasting light reflection holds the combination together when plush velvet absorbs ambient glare while silk glides along the body in motion. The velvet smoking jacket dates from the eighteen hundreds, when men wore it to smoke after dinner, and the silk slip dress became an evening classic in the nineties. Sies Marjan, Sander Lak's New York label, was known for bold, saturated colour. Nina Ricci brings satin shirts and blouses, while Dior and Hermes add printed silk shirts.

Pair tailored velvet jackets and blazers over relaxed silk shirts or pleated skirts with sturdy leather footwear. WDLT117 in Toronto selects draped separates in deep green, blue and black from independent labels. Due West in Toronto adds G-Lab jackets and silk shirts. Utopia in Toronto adds silk shirts and velvet pieces, some pre owned.

Nina Ricci Bow-detail Satin Shirt Pink, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Bow-detail Satin Shirt Pink

NZ$779~~NZ$1,592~~

Dior Sample Sorayama Silk Shirt, front view, at Utopia on within

Sample Sorayama Silk Shirt

Nina Ricci Draped Satin Halterneck Sleeveless Blouse Black at WDLT117 on within

Draped Satin Halterneck Sleeveless Blouse Black

NZ$1,592Last one

INTO THE EAST Jacquard Scarf Sleeveless Top Champagne at WDLT117 on within

Jacquard Scarf Sleeveless Top Champagne

Nina Ricci Bow-detail Flared Trousers Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Bow-detail Flared Trousers Black

NZ$2,053Last one

Avavav X Adidas Velvet Track Pants Dk. Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within

X Adidas Velvet Track Pants Dk. Blue

RUOHAN Chromite Isen Pants in Grey at WDLT117 on within

Chromite Isen Pants

Giovanni Cavagna Shirt-detailed Pants Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Giovanni Cavagna

Shirt-detailed Pants Black

NZ$2,137Last one

INTO THE EAST Velvet Embroidered Stand Collar Jacket Black worn by a model, at WDLT117 on within

Velvet Embroidered Stand Collar Jacket Black

NZ$1,235Last one

Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY Late To Work Jacket Beige at WDLT117 on within

Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY

Late To Work Jacket Beige

NZ$2,105Last one

RUOHAN Assu Bias Cut Skirt Willow in Olive at WDLT117 on within

Assu Bias Cut Skirt Willow

INTO THE EAST Jacquard Ruched Skirt Champagne at WDLT117 on within

Jacquard Ruched Skirt Champagne

INTO THE EAST Acanthus Oil Pain Multi-Layer Skirt Tea Brown at WDLT117 on within

Acanthus Oil Pain Multi-Layer Skirt Tea Brown

NZ$1,248Last one

Sies Marjan Gisela Pinstripe Skirt in Navy, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Gisela Pinstripe Skirt

NZ$363~~NZ$1,787~~Last one

Alexander Mcqueen Velour Swalow Sweatshirt Black, front view, at Utopia on within

Alexander McQueen

Velour Swalow Sweatshirt Black

NZ$254Pre-owned

RUOHAN Bonaire Top Willow in Olive at WDLT117 on within

Bonaire Top Willow

Helmut Lang Printed Yellow Car Trousers in Multicolour at WDLT117 on within

Printed Yellow Car Trousers

NZ$428~~NZ$1,027~~Last one

Undercover Flowy Crop Pants Beige Grey at WDLT117 on within

Flowy Crop Pants Beige Grey

NZ$1,533Last one

More in the same spirit

RUOHAN Skara Jacket Dune in Beige at WDLT117 on within

Skara Jacket Dune

g-lab Womens Eco Jacket Pure in Black at Due West on within

Womens Eco Jacket Pure - Black

INTO THE EAST Paisley Pleated Patchwork Skirt Print at WDLT117 on within

Paisley Pleated Patchwork Skirt Print

NZ$1,455Last one

INTO THE EAST Elastic Waist Skirt Olive Green at WDLT117 on within

Elastic Waist Skirt Olive Green

NZ$1,131Last one

RUOHAN Mergui Coat Willow in Olive at WDLT117 on within

Mergui Coat Willow

NZ$1,871Last one

INTO THE EAST Paisley Embroidered Coat Sand, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Paisley Embroidered Coat Sand

NZ$2,014Last one

Looks in this edit

A December wedding in Riyadh. Flat lay of a sand INTO THE EAST cardigan, an olive blouse, an olive skirt and a white Goyard pouch.

A December wedding in Riyadh

Dusk on the Beirut stairs. Flat lay of an olive INTO THE EAST coat, a dark chocolate brown turtleneck and a pale gold skirt.

Dusk on the Beirut stairs

A party at a Doha hotel. Flat lay of an obsidian RUOHAN jacket, a black top, a black skirt and a grey Goyard pouch.

A party at a Doha hotel

A Christmas party in champagne. Flat lay of a pale gold INTO THE EAST skirt, a black MM6 blazer and red Guidi derbies.

A Christmas party in champagne

Chocolate tweed for Sunday brunch. Flat lay of a chocolate brown INTO THE EAST jacket, chocolate brown trousers and burgundy Guidi shoes.

Chocolate tweed for Sunday brunch

The pieces of Pink satin with grey suede boots

Pink satin with grey suede boots

Common questions

How do you wear velvet and silk together?

Balance the heavy texture of a velvet jacket or blazer against a fluid silk shirt or skirt. Stick to deep tones like forest green, midnight blue or black so the contrast comes from surface sheen rather than competing shades.

Why do velvet and silk pair well?

Velvet absorbs light through its dense cut pile while smooth woven silk bounces light back. Putting both textures in one outfit creates depth without needing heavy patterns or loud accessories.

Which designers specialize in velvet and silk clothing?

Sies Marjan was known for saturated colour, and Nina Ricci brings satin shirts and blouses. Dior and Hermes add printed silk shirts.