Unlike spring/summer or fall/winter—fashion seasons that see significant shifts year after year as trends change and designers test out new creative concepts—holiday collections don’t often jump around or change significantly from one November/December to the next. There are always a few Fair Isle sweaters, some sequins, and, of course, lots and lots of velvet. It’s a tradition I personally back 100%, specifically in regard to velvet.
The undeniably holiday-friendly fabric does evoke some images of my childhood, but when everyone and their sisters wear the same red or black velvet fit-and-flare dress this time of year, it also makes me immediately think of pure luxury. The clothes, shoes, and accessories outfitted with the textured material in 2023 are even more lavish than those that usually bubble up in my consciousness whenever the first signs of colder weather show face. Think bold-shouldered blazers and pencil skirts at Saint Laurent, dark-romance slip dresses at Rodarte, and body-con, well, everything at Alaïa. Below, shop the single most luxurious holiday-fashion trend of the year.
Yes, your favorite Reformation tank top comes in velvet.
These trousers are selling out too quickly for my liking.
As someone who’s tried this Tory Burch dress on, I can say with certainty that it’s genuinely perfect.
Just a delicate touch of velvet.
What a dress.
Taking a mental image of this outfit so I can copy it multiple times this season.
Liberowe’s jackets are the epitome of elegant. The quality is truly beyond.
Trade in your boring tee for this padded-shoulder one.
Now that I’ve accepted ballet flats into my life, I don’t think I can ever go back.
Needed everything about this, like, yesterday.
All you need in there is an oxblood-colored lip stain and your wallet—and maybe Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment.
Cleanup on aisle three—my jaw is on the floor.
I’m calling on whoever styled this perfect look to come forward and share every detail.
The ’90s vibes are mighty strong.
Now those are boots.
I keep stumbling upon this jacket from Free People, and every time I do, I’m just as wildly impressed as the first time.
I’ve been eyeing these Alaïa gloves for a while now but haven’t quite worked up the financial courage to make the move. While I save up, I’m buying this $27 Urban pair.
Please—I beg of you—wear this dress with the above velvet gloves. What a look.
This price is too good to pass up.
Always say yes to a velvet hair bow, especially when it’s on sale.
The touches of red take this skirt from a want to a need.
Toss this on with a structured wool coat and some pumps and be on your merry way.
These belong in a museum.
Our EIC Kat Collings wore the butter-yellow version of this blazer during Paris Fashion Week a few seasons back, and I haven’t quite been able to shake it since. From the buttons to the crushed texture to the high collar, everything about it is a win.
To be dressed up with a sleek skirt or down with casual Levi’s.
Gwyneth Slip Skirt lovers, look what I just found.
I’d be layering this over slip dresses if it was sitting in my closet. Just saying.
This cropped military jacket has your name written all over it.
It’s true—I do indeed need these in both colors.
A dress this easy shouldn’t be allowed to also be this chic. It’ll monopolize the holiday-fashion world.
