Yahoo Finance Join the velvet blazer band: the best jackets to buy now
First was the dash for diesel, now the race is on to secure the perfect petrol green velvet blazer before party season.
Ok – it’s not gone that far yet, but after Prince William turned the controversial winter green velvet blazer and black polo neck look for the Earthshot Prize Awards on October 17, searches for men’s velvet blazers jumped 52 per cent in less than a day (according to fashion search platform Lyst).
The appearance simply added fuel to a fire Daniel Craig ignited at the end of September, when he stepped onto the Bond ‘No Time To Die’ red carpet. His outing in a candy pink Anderson and Sheppard velvet blazer caused a hubbub, and put the style back at the centre of fashionable formalwear this winter.
“We have taken quite a few orders for the exact same blazer since the premiere,” says Colin Heywood, Managing Director of the Savile Row tailors that made Craig’s outfit. They’ve “noticed a trend towards brighter colours,” he continues, “people are being more adventurous with their dinner suits pairing classic black trousers with coloured velvet jackets.” Why? “They brighten up long winter evenings.”
Jason Momoa tapped in for the London premiere of Dune, wearing burgundy velvet tailoring complete with fanciful embroidered sleeves. Meanwhile basketball player P. J. Tucker went all orange for the 2021 Met Gala, and Jake Gyllenhaal committed to deep green velvet by Bottega Veneta for New York’s premiere of The Lost Daughter on September 30.
The Menswear Autumn Winter 2021 shows offered hints this was coming. The best were at Giorgio Armani, where jackets came in navy blue velvet with a marbled pattern, or asymmetrical and without lapels to more futuristic effect. Elsewhere, Etro made them peaked lapelled in a garish mustard shade or with floral prints, while American designer Teddy Vonranson opted for a rounded, shawl collar in olive.
On the high street, stock at John Lewis and Next is already depleted, but M&S, Reiss, and Asos have options in royal green through to 007 pink. Let out your (Oscar) Wilde side, and opt for a little dandy with one of best velvet jackets available now:
Reiss
Velvet blazer in navy, £298, reiss.com
Polo Ralph Lauren
Velvet tartan jacket, £595, ralphlauren.co.uk
Asos Design
Super skinny velvet suit jacket in navy, £70, asos.com
M&S
Slim fit velvet blazer, £90, next.co.uk
Boss
Slim-fit tuxedo jacket in cotton velvet, £419, hugoboss.com
Etro
Double-breasted printed cotton-blend velvet suit jacket, £1,515, mrporter.com
Topman
Skinny single breasted suit jacket in pink velvet, £69, asos.com
Ted Baker
Casual velvet blazer, £325, tedbaker.com
Gucci
Velvet GG blazer, £2,229, flannels.com
