I bought a black velvet jacket…

[ErrolTheDragon]

Earlier this year, I saw a velvet jacket in Next, which fitted me perfectly and I thought looked good so I bought it. I’m short so finding petite jackets I like isn’t always easy.

I really like it but I don’t know what to wear with it - or for that matter when and where to wear it!😂
(I looked for a link but I don’t think it’s available now, couldn’t find the same one.)

If it matters, I’m 63, 5’1” size 10-12 (the jacket is 12) and generally prefer slim leg trousers/jeans or slightly tapered - nothing extreme and certainly not wide leg. ( I wear dresses and skirts in the summer but don’t have any footwear I like with them in cooler weather).

So… as this is a wet autumnal afternoon it seemed a good idea to ask the collective wisdom of S&B for inspiration. Thanks!

I'm also 63 😀I think a black velvet jacket deserves interesting trousers, I'd wear leopard wide leg or straight leg ones, or some jeans or black trousers and an interesting short or top in a bright colour.
Also satin or leather/pleather skirts look good with velvet or a jumpsuit.

Satin pencil skirt or stain trousers.

Thanks…
hm, leopard, satin and p/leather are all very much not me I’m afraid!

I think I want to dress it down more than up tbh.

Watching with interest, I have s beautiful one too which I never wear. Think I wore it once over a silky chinese style dress. But would like to dress it down with jeans but mine are just a bit too scruffy looking.

I wore my velvet jacket last with a slip dress and high heels, for a night out.

If I were to wear it dressed down, I'd go for jeans (barrel leg if you like that shape), a simple plain top and clumpy footwear (brogues or loafers, good socks on show).

I'd be inclined to solve the skirt/footwear problem and wear it with a skirt - a paisley print or maybe a fairly bold floral? - in warm autumn colours, ankle or knee length, with some swinginess (neither this nor this has quite the swinginess that would be ideal, but you get the idea). Plaid or tartan in whatever style suits you would also look great, but possibly a bit expensive.

If you're determined to have trousers I would go for a wool blend fabric in an uneven check of some sort or a not-too-funky geometric print. Terrible price though. If you don't mind an arty vibe then straight needlecord in a reasonably bright colour might work - black top under the jacket. Amazingly Land's End actually seem to have some straight needlecord trousers in slightly brighter colours (the fuchsia is way too pink for me, but would be glorious if it's your colour). Available in petite too.

I have a couple of velvet jackets, I wear them dressed up with dresses (fitted or floaty, both work well) or plain or leather look trousers and a satin vest.
I wear them dressed down with either jeans or leggings, and a satin vest or white T-shirt.
That sounds fairly vague but that’s because you can get away with most things with a velvet jacket. If it helps mine are black and pink, both colours work well with the suggestions I’ve made

Would you wear a sock boot under a skirt, so that it’s tight on your leg? I think a tartan shorter skirt or patterned midi ? Black straight leg jeans?

No, that’s part of my footwear problem - chunky walker’s calves.
For now I’ll probably stick at black jeans and maybe steal my dds Docs until I can figure out the dress/feet conundrum!😂
(dress and Docs would make me look like Florence from the Magic Roundabout unfortunately)

thanks for all the suggestions anyway!

I would wear it with purple jeans or an ankle-length boho type skirt.