Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Style Wednesday - Velvet Frippery

Ah we move from plaid to sparkle to velvet, the fabric of opulence and richness.

The perfect holiday decorating fabric:



The loveliest fabric for dresses for mothers and daughters:






Trousers can be lovely and I actually like these ones from J Crew that were just released today:

Collection tailored sweatpant in velvet

A waistcoat for a man is lovely:


And I love my green velvet Cole Haan Loafers:



Right now, I have almost no velvet in my closet.  I thought I had remedied it earlier this fall when I bought the following dress from Brora:



 

I took a chance and ordered the size that they told me would fit.  It was a dismal failure.  You cannot wear this dress if you have much of a chest, sadly.  It hangs in my closet, bullying me.  I should have returned  it and missed the first window, so now I am going to write to them to see if they will still take it and give me a credit - if not will sell it.  sigh....  If you are a UK size 12 and love this, let me know - yours for a song....

But I am undaunted and I know that there is a velvet dress out there for me somewhere!  Likely not in time for Christmas though!
How about you?  Do you like to deck your hall with velvet come Christmas?

As always - stay safe out there?

29 comments:

  1. Wendy you know me I love some velvet! Bring out all the velvet! I'm very sad that the dress didn't work for you. I bet they would accept a return, even for a credit you could save it for the January sale. Email them!
    I just might have to buy another velvet piece from Brora for Christmas Day, it's an addiction.

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  2. Heehee! I keep forgetting that I am the poor closer-to-the-ground highland cousin,,.

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  3. I'm in the opposite corner, I haven't worn it since my party dresses days as a child, I just don't like that cloth at all. Not that it ever did anything to hurt me!

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    1. Might just might be be able to cope with it as a loafer/smoking slipper/cocktail slipper though.

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    2. how about a velvet throw or drapes? Or if Prince Charles gifts you with a velvet and ermine cape?

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    3. yes I say go for the velvet and ermine cape from Ole Chuck!

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  4. Oh, bad luck Wendy. I do hope that they take it back. I would love to buy some Brora, but I'm going to hold off until I can visit a shop, hopefully within the next year. Then I'll be able to take advantage of those great sales!

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    1. I hear you - I have had good luck before - this was just a hot mess! And I kept holding back returning it thinking I would grow 4 inches!

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  5. I like velvet and can do one piece at a time - either blazer or bottoms. I found dresses to be a bit much for me. Exception of course are long gowns or party dresses, where anything goes.

    Hope you find the velvet dress of your dreams, Wendy! :)

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    1. Thanks Rose! I really like a velvet blazer especially!

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  6. No to velvet unless you are very thin. It is unforgiving as a fabric!!

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  7. I love velvet, it is my favorite fabric. I remember my first velvet dress, a gift from my aunt when I was 6, I think, and my first "grown-up" velvet party attire which was (are you seated?) velvet overalls by Emporio Armani that I bought with my mom for Xmas (I can still feel the excitement when we went to the store) I wish I could still wear that one but I was Kate Moss thin when I was 15 to 23 and it was supposed to be worn as a fourreau, without a shirt under it (do not worry it was tight, not loose and being Armani it was very tasteful).
    I have velvet pants and jackets and had a couple of skirts but not a dress, for some reason I never had one. I I easily fall for men in velvet as I said on Dani's blog and I am going to give my husband a velvet jacket this year (the JCrew one).

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    1. OH I love that story Ema! Only you could make that look cute and I bet you rocked it!!!

      I think every man should have a velvet blazer - Barry would love one, I am sure - he is a bit of a dandy!

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  8. Hi Wendy... Well, I am a size 10-12 with Brora and would be interested by this dress... I let it go during the sales and was a bit bitter after... Let me know if you have my email, so we can get in touch...
    I do love velvet... I have a green velvet dress/tunic from Brora and a velvet bolero. They are part of my festive outfits :-) the black (?) dress you picture above is beautiful!

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    1. Steph - I double-checked and it is a UK 14 - if you are interested at all email me at sydforry@hotmail.com. I think Dani went up a size and I understand why!

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    2. I did, I went to a 10 and it fits perfect, I am usually a size 8 Brora if that helps Steph.

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  9. That's too bad about the dress. Perhaps Brora will take it back if it is still in their current lineup.

    I love the word "frippery", it always makes me smile. I used to have a pair of velvet jeans and also a swingy velvet a-line mini that was adorable but they were purged some time ago since I don't ever expect to be a size 2 again. I have a couple of velvet scarves and gloves but to my recollection, that is all.

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    1. well this fits me quite oddly, so I think I will stick my velvet scarves for this holiday season!

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  10. I love how velvet feels! I don't have any, sadly. I may have to remedy that.
    Too bad about the dress. I bet they would take it back! Lucky for whoever buys it from you, it is gorgeous. Wish it was me, two birds one stone!

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  11. I love velvet and find it unfair that it's relegated to the holidays. I have a pouch shaped, velvet handbag in Purple that I love wearing with my jeans. I love how the soft (not shiny) texture of velvet (like suede) is forgiving to the texture of my skin :-) Come to think of it...I need more velvet!

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    1. Jennifer - love the new picture!!! I agree - I find velvet warm and cooling all at once!!!!

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  12. I love velvet but for some reason, I only have it as an accessory. I bought two silk velvet scarves from Printemps in Paris many years ago. They are beautiful and I still wear them on occasion for dressy evening events. Let us know if you find a velvet dress for the holidays!

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    1. Hi Louise! I bet those are nice scarves - what a place Paris is for scarves - even the cheap scarves are gorgeous!!!

      I doubt now I will look except around here - I have come to the conclusion that dresses are best bought after being tried on unless they are an easy return. I am going to write Brora today and see what they say!

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  13. Hi WMM! I love velvet too, and your post reminded me it's almost time to pull out my jacket soon. I hope you find a dress that you really like before the holidays. The perfect velvet dress would be harder to find than say a lovely jacket or pants. Let us know how your quest turns out!

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    1. ABC - you are so right! Although interestingly, there is little velvet around these parts - I think it comes in and out of style for the holidays, despite being a classic!

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  14. Hello Wendy, I haven't commented before.I hope you don't mind me butting in.What a pity about the Brora velvet dress.Don't give up though.You could try one of their more tunic-y dress styles and I bet that will work just fine.I got a red one last year and I love it.(wouldn't dare try a fitted dress in velvet though...)

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    1. Hi Sue, I am so glad you chimed in - there is no butting in here - love when people chime in!

      I think you are right about the fitted dress... it is a lovely dress too - the velvet is really quality as is the finishing! Maybe I should have started with a skirt!

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Kindness is a virtue...