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Crochet top & shorts - Mint Velvet - is this outfit actually wearable?

49 replies

Westpoint · 29/03/2026 16:06

Hello!

Bit of a long shot but has anyone seen this outfit IRL? The description doesn't mention any lining so I'm wondering how difficult this would be to actually wear. I'm in the US so no chance of going to a store for myself.

mintvelvet.com/en-us/products/ivory-sparkle-crochet-knit-top

Also, any suggestions of what would be a sensible option to wear underneath would be most welcome. I'm 50 this year and don't think I'd get away with a pair of M&S white knick knacks! 😂

TIA!

OP posts:
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Hermyknee · 01/04/2026 11:40

I would have to wear white underneath otherwise I would be conscious of people staring to guess if I was wearing anything underneath.

Westpoint · 01/04/2026 20:23

Changeitbacktomorrow · 30/03/2026 21:41

No idea about underwear but I love this outfit and have just ordered it, thanks OP! Big fan of MV anyway and their clothes tend to suit me. I think it will be fab once I shake off the worst of the whiteness of winter.

Ooooh, would you be happy to report back when you receive it? I hope it's as nice irl!

OP posts:
Changeitbacktomorrow · 01/04/2026 20:26

Westpoint · 01/04/2026 20:23

Ooooh, would you be happy to report back when you receive it? I hope it's as nice irl!

Of course! I think it may be arriving tomorrow so I’ll let you know smile 😊. I’m hoping it suits me - I’m like an older, budget version of the model, tall, slim, no boobs and kind of surfy hair.

BlackRowan · 02/04/2026 22:19

Im not really ageist but it can only look good on someone who is 20 years old or less. Unless we are talking about the beach attire

Bluegreenbird · 03/04/2026 07:57

I like it. Fine for someone middle aged. It’s quite loose and flowy and actually covers the bum.

Torchout · 03/04/2026 18:13

It's nice and i'd wear it. However the price is too high.

ElleintheWoods · 03/04/2026 19:19

Yes totally wearable. You say beach but I can also picture a girl on the Barcelona metro on a hot day wearing this with city shoes. Maybe not so much in the UK, this is definitely more holiday/ beach/ hot country vibes.

Style with tanned longed limbs and a boho/ tote/ beaded bag. Alaia or Cult Gaia shoes with this would look killer.

StripyHorse · 03/04/2026 23:46

HaveYouHadYourBreak · 30/03/2026 09:03

You can tell it's knitted because
A) there isnt a machine that can crochet so its very unlikely you'll ever get a mass produced completely crochet outfit. The man power especially for fancy stitches like scallops would be huge.
B) knitting produces little "V" towers. Crochet doesnt make thus stitch.

It just annoys me that 2 different crafts get mixed up, especially by major retailers.

Totally agree. Along with seeing 'crochet' tops that aren't knit but are machine made to look like granny squares to those who don't crochet - which of course can be sold more cheaply. I wish these were market 'crochet style' or similar. Calling it all crochet means people have no idea of how much work goes into a crochet garment and what the maker should therfore be paid.

GloiredeDijon · 04/04/2026 00:22

It reminds me of the things my nan used to crochet years ago.
She would be thrilled to see this is fashionable now.

Aluna · 04/04/2026 15:59

I like the look of it and if it were cotton broderie anglaise I’d buy it. But it’s weirdly thick knitted material - too hot for a Mediterranean summer (I’m Italian).

Rugbymum2026 · 04/04/2026 19:45

It is crocheted and clearly listed as such

HaveYouHadYourBreak · 05/04/2026 15:18

Rugbymum2026 · 04/04/2026 19:45

It is crocheted and clearly listed as such

Do you knit or crochet yourself?

I do both. It is knitted and I've explained how you can tell.

HaveYouHadYourBreak · 05/04/2026 15:25

Basic crochet creates twists and crosses (like my photos of different stitches on this very old and well used blanket) whereas stockinette knitting which is the basic knitting stitch looks like the letter v which you can see in the outfit.

Crochet top & shorts - Mint Velvet - is this outfit actually wearable?
Crochet top & shorts - Mint Velvet - is this outfit actually wearable?
Crochet top & shorts - Mint Velvet - is this outfit actually wearable?
ReadingCrimeFiction · 05/04/2026 15:25

I went past a Mint Velvet outlet very briefly yesterday and I feel like I saw the top of this as I walked past. I definitely saw a knock off version in New Look - both top and shorts. Definitly more beachy but I think COULD be worn as standalone but with nude underwear or a nude slip. When I looked at the shorts in New Look I definitely felt those were beach only. But the tops (and aI saw a few versions in New Look) could be worn for normal life.

canklesmctacotits · 05/04/2026 15:28

How funny. I saw someone just last week wearing this over a chocolate brown bikini (we were at the pool in a hot country) and it looked awful! I mean, it functions as something to put over your swimsuit on your way to/from your room, to sit at an outdoor table to eat. But it just looked very….holey. I think it would be better as a street wear outfit and I say that as a prude.

Warning, though: the one I saw last week had a very saggy bum after having been sat down in. I guess that’s inevitable given the knit. Wasn’t very flattering…

Rugbymum2026 · 06/04/2026 13:04

I don't knit but crochet 🙂

It states it is crochet as well.

So yes, I do

MakingTheEndsMeet · 07/04/2026 21:13

Rugbymum2026 · 04/04/2026 19:45

It is crocheted and clearly listed as such

It’s absolutely not crocheted. That’s machine knitted fabric that’s cut and sewn together. Clothing retailers constantly mislabel crocheted as knitted and vice versa. As @HaveYouHadYourBreak and @StripyHorse both say, crochet can’t be done on a machine, it has to be done by hand, and saying it’s crocheted implies it’s a hand crafted item, when it’s actually mass produced with a machine. I could crochet a set like this, it would take me several days and if I charged minimum wage for 16-24 hours work it would cost upwards of £200 - £300 just for labour alone, with yarn and delivery on top.

Changeitbacktomorrow · 19/04/2026 02:34

Sorry for the delay in my review!

So it arrived, I opened the box and immediately thought no - it was a lot woolier than I expected, my first thought was that it was giving ‘baby blanket knitted by your gran’ kind of vibes. Also it looked like a cream colour in the photos, but a lot whiter in real life, which added to the baby blanket effect.

Thought I’d try it on anyway, because you never know. I actually loved the shorts, and was wearing some pretty substantial light coloured knickers underneath and you honestly couldn’t see them. And the top was ok, but just ok, and I decided I didn’t love the ensemble enough to keep it, so back it went. For that kind of money, I’d have to REALLY love it to keep it.

Another consideration was that it was definitely a summer outfit, but being far thicker and woolier than I expected, it’s hard to imagine the weather being just right to wear it. It would be far too warm to wear on a hot holiday, or even a hot summer’s day in the uk.

Most of my wardrobe is Mint Velvet so I was disappointed that this one wasn’t a keeper, if it had been less than £50 I’d probably have hung on to it, maybe.

MakingTheEndsMeet · 19/04/2026 09:11

Changeitbacktomorrow · 19/04/2026 02:34

Sorry for the delay in my review!

So it arrived, I opened the box and immediately thought no - it was a lot woolier than I expected, my first thought was that it was giving ‘baby blanket knitted by your gran’ kind of vibes. Also it looked like a cream colour in the photos, but a lot whiter in real life, which added to the baby blanket effect.

Thought I’d try it on anyway, because you never know. I actually loved the shorts, and was wearing some pretty substantial light coloured knickers underneath and you honestly couldn’t see them. And the top was ok, but just ok, and I decided I didn’t love the ensemble enough to keep it, so back it went. For that kind of money, I’d have to REALLY love it to keep it.

Another consideration was that it was definitely a summer outfit, but being far thicker and woolier than I expected, it’s hard to imagine the weather being just right to wear it. It would be far too warm to wear on a hot holiday, or even a hot summer’s day in the uk.

Most of my wardrobe is Mint Velvet so I was disappointed that this one wasn’t a keeper, if it had been less than £50 I’d probably have hung on to it, maybe.

When you give them feedback can you please mention that it’s machine knitted, not crocheted as stated in the description.

Oceangrey · 19/04/2026 09:56

I have a sweater from Varley which is similarly thick and heavy but a holey kind of knit. I love it but barely wear it because the weather is never right. If it's cool enough to need something over a vest top then it's too cold for the sweater.

Westpoint · 20/04/2026 18:42

Changeitbacktomorrow · 19/04/2026 02:34

Sorry for the delay in my review!

So it arrived, I opened the box and immediately thought no - it was a lot woolier than I expected, my first thought was that it was giving ‘baby blanket knitted by your gran’ kind of vibes. Also it looked like a cream colour in the photos, but a lot whiter in real life, which added to the baby blanket effect.

Thought I’d try it on anyway, because you never know. I actually loved the shorts, and was wearing some pretty substantial light coloured knickers underneath and you honestly couldn’t see them. And the top was ok, but just ok, and I decided I didn’t love the ensemble enough to keep it, so back it went. For that kind of money, I’d have to REALLY love it to keep it.

Another consideration was that it was definitely a summer outfit, but being far thicker and woolier than I expected, it’s hard to imagine the weather being just right to wear it. It would be far too warm to wear on a hot holiday, or even a hot summer’s day in the uk.

Most of my wardrobe is Mint Velvet so I was disappointed that this one wasn’t a keeper, if it had been less than £50 I’d probably have hung on to it, maybe.

Thank you soooo much for coming back! 😊

Thanks to your very helpful description I think I'll save myself the hassle and the $$ for the shipping. Wooly in the hot & humid summer here is definitely not what I am looking for. Sorry it didn't work out for you!

OP posts:
Westpoint · 20/04/2026 18:43

Oceangrey · 19/04/2026 09:56

I have a sweater from Varley which is similarly thick and heavy but a holey kind of knit. I love it but barely wear it because the weather is never right. If it's cool enough to need something over a vest top then it's too cold for the sweater.

It's not this one by any chance is it?? I've been hanging my nose over this one too!

https://www.varley.com/products/gaines-half-zip-knit?variant=44258191999149&Color=Light+Taupe&Size=XXS

Gaines Half-Zip Knit | VARLEY US

The Gaines boasts an oversized half-zip design with chic cap sleeves. Made in our textured Pineapple Knit, wear it with a bralette on warmer days and easily tuck it into shorts or pants thanks to the ribbed hem.

https://www.varley.com/products/gaines-half-zip-knit?Color=Light+Taupe&Size=XXS&variant=44258191999149

OP posts:
Oceangrey · 21/04/2026 11:13

Not that one but the knit looks similar. Mine has long sleeves.

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