With the arrival of autumn and the end of the year coming into sight, formal occasions begin to come thick and fast, from galas to awards evenings and black tie events. It's at these sorts of occasions where velvet takes centre stage, most notably in the shape of dinner jackets and smoking jackets. The velvet jacket becomes a stunning alternative to classic black tie, offering a punch of dark, rich colour, and that inimitable textural quality.
Velvet's history traces back to ancient Eastern cultures, with evidence of pile weaves dating to around 2000 BC in Egypt and China, where silk and linen were used to create textured fabrics. It gained popularity in Europe during the 14th century, introduced through trade routes from the Middle East and Asia. Italian weavers refined the technique, making velvet a symbol of wealth and status among nobility and royalty. By the Renaissance, it was favoured for its opulence, often reserved for court attire and ecclesiastical garments.
The fabric's appeal endures due to its distinctive textural qualities. Velvet features a soft, dense pile that creates a subtle sheen, reflecting light to produce depth and dimension. This tactility provides warmth without heaviness, making it ideal for formal attire in the autumn and winter months. Velvet jackets can be worn in diverse settings, from black-tie events to relaxed gatherings. For formal dinners or galas, pair one with a crisp shirt, bow tie, and tailored trousers to achieve a polished look.
Our velvet jacket collection includes several classic styles. The single-breasted dinner jacket offers a sleek silhouette, suitable for intimate soirees where its clean lines enhance understated elegance. The double-breasted version provides added structure, with peaked lapels that command presence at grand balls or formal functions. For a more relaxed attitude, the smoking jacket - with its shawl collar, frogging, and quilted details - evokes vintage charm, but one could just as easily wear it over a pair of silk pyjamas! The Nehru and Artist jackets introduce a contemporary edge, with the former featuring a high mandarin collar that lends an exotic flair, while the latter's boxier shape is our most informal style of the bunch.
Velvet is not restricted to our jackets either. We have a vast collection of velvet waistcoats that add a stylish swathe of texture and colour to formalwear and suiting. For winter weddings, they are perfect paired with morning dress. One can also introduce velvet to black tie looks in the shape of bow ties, once again creating a unique piece of textural real estate to complement your eveningwear.
Discover the full collection at favourbrook.com/collections/velvet-jackets and embrace velvet's enduring legacy this season.
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