How to wear a velvet dress in autumn and winter

Velvet has a reputation for being dressy, but a simple velvet dress is one of the most versatile things to wear between October and February. The pile catches the light, so the colour does most of the work and the rest of the outfit can stay quiet.

For an evening out

Keep it simple. A velvet wrap dress with a heel you can stand in, one gold bangle or a pearl pendant, and nothing else competing with the fabric. Deep colours such as damson and bottle green look richer in candlelight than black does.

For the daytime

Swap the heels for boots. A leather knee-high boot under a midi hem is the easiest way to make velvet feel everyday, and a suede ankle boot works too. Over the top, a camel coat or a cotton trench tones the shine down.

Layering when it is cold

A fine merino roll-neck can go under a wrap dress with a V-neck, so the collar shows at the neckline. Choose a knit in a colour close to the velvet, or in ivory for contrast, and keep it thin so the wrap still sits flat.

What to avoid

• Too many textures at once. Velvet with satin, sequins and lace all together starts to look like fancy dress.
• Velvet shoes and bags with a velvet dress. One velvet piece at a time is enough.
• Perfume sprayed straight onto the fabric, which can mark the pile.

Looking after velvet

• Hand wash cold or dry clean, following the care label.
• Dry flat on a towel so the pile is not crushed on a hanger.
• Steam to lift creases and flattened pile. Never press an iron directly onto velvet.