Awards season has officially begun with the 81st Golden Globes Awards held in California last Sunday. And where there are award ceremonies, there are glamourous, stunning red-carpet looks to enjoy and dissect. Most of the time, what celebrities choose to wear on the red carpet can be a strong indication of fashion trends to emerge in the coming months, and if last weekend’s looks are anything to go by, it seems that after leather and latex, velvet will be making waves. Everyone from Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried, to Angela Bassett and Dua Lipa attended the ceremony wearing velvet, with Lawrence choosing the fabric for her afterparty look as well. Ahead, discover the many ways you can style this versatile fabric this season.
Pair your velvet gown with a matching coat for maximum glam
Not only did Jennifer Lawrence wear a ‘quiet luxury’ midnight-blue velvet gown by Dior at the Golden Globes 2024 red carpet, but she also chose the fabric for the afterparty. She donned a mustard velvet gown layered with a leopard print velvet coat, complete with a faux fur trim. Take a cue from Lawrence’s look if you’d also like to channel maximalist Hollywood glam this season.
A bodycon velvet dress is perfect for parties
Hailey Bieber has always been a trendsetter when it comes to her style, with her favoured looks quickly snowballing into viral trends (re: loafers with socks, slouchy blazers, skinny shades). So, it might be safe to say that if Bieber was seen in velvet, the fabric is bound to become a hot favourite in the upcoming months. Ahead of her birthday celebrations in November last year, she chose a figure-hugging maroon velvet dress with a unique neckline.
You can’t go wrong with a co-ord set
Co-ord sets have grown in popularity over the past year, and have gone from being just glorified kurta sets to incorporating a variety of silhouettes, crop top and maxi skirt combos being one. This electric blue velvet number worn by Ananya Panday for Dream Girl promotions last year is timeless yet trendy, and a great way to add velvet to your wardrobe. More recently, Shanaya Kapoor paired a black turtleneck with a black velvet maxi skirt for an understated winter look.
Add a royal touch to your ethnic look with velvet
Who said velvet must be relegated to just contemporary fits? The super soft, moody fabric elevates any traditional silhouette by making it look regal. For instance, take this deep-red Raji Ramniq anarkali set worn by Alia Bhatt post her National Award win. It is elegant and chic all at once, and we can imagine this look fitting right in at a winter wedding.
Keep it casual with a velvet kaftan
One might associate breezy kaftans with being more summer-appropriate, something sheer to be worn on the beach as cover-ups or a flowy dress for brunch with your girlfriends. But believe it or not, the silhouette has a place in your winter wardrobe, too, provided it is in deep, dark hues like black or plum and made with lush velvet. Wear a pair of well-fitting wool trousers underneath and cinch the kaftan with a belt to complete the look or wear it as is. Either way, the unconventional choice will turn heads.