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Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
More This site contains affiliate links from which we may earn a commission.Though it is possible to wear a velvet blazer casually, its true calling is as a distinctive piece of evening wear. There is no place a velvet blazer is more at home than at a nighttime special occasion or party, especially during the holiday season. And for a post-work happy hour or an evening cocktail date, it’s a great piece to pull out if your goal is to make a sharp and sophisticated impression. Here’s one way to wear a velvet blazer out for cocktails.
Velvet blazers come in a variety of colors, but black is by far the most versatile. If you are considering adding one to your collection, I would recommend a black one simply for the bang-for-the-buck factor. Keep in mind that despite it’s muted color, the fabric itself will make a statement. This is not a blazer to wear out if you want to avoid conversation.
Because velvet has such a distinctive look and feel, style it in such a way to really play up contrasts. A wool pant in a rich and unexpected color with a subtle pattern works well.
Getting dressed up and looking comfortable, relaxed, and like you didn’t get dressed up is definitely a bit of an acquired skill. And in the context of a cocktail date, it can mean the difference between appearing self-conscious or self-confident. If you feel like wearing a tie, a knit tie sans tie bar will definitely project a cool and casual confidence. And don’t forget the details—a collar bar can be a great alternative to a tie bar and, of course, a pocket square is a must. I’ve recently been favoring a classic, no nonsense pocket square fold.
This Look: Black velvet blazer c/o Banana Republic (similar ON SALE here, also check out this slick double-breasted version) – Dress shirt with burgundy stripes c/o Deo Veritas (similar here) – Plum wool pants c/o Reiss – Black silk knit tie by J.Crew – Vintage gold collar bar (similar here) – White pocket square by Nordstrom – Black leather belt c/o Banana Republic – Watch with black leather strap by Timex – Black monk strap shoes c/o Banana Republic
Thanks for reading.
Stylishly Yours,
Brian
He Spoke Style
Photography by Rob McIver Photo.
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers. Since 2013, his goal has remained the same: to provide men the advice and inspiration they need to dress well, develop their personal style, and gain more confidence. Brian’s interest and passion for men’s style and luxury watches has led to his writing for The Robb Report, The Rake, and Sotheby’s and he has been quoted on menswear in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, Brides Magazine, and the Huffington Post. He lives in the woods north of Baltimore with his wife, Robin, kitties Nick and Nora, and German Shepherd/Collie mix Charlie.
