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Would you wear it? The Velvet Sportcoat

October 31, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

Tallia Velvet Blazer – $137.50 ($275) |  Express – $228.00 | Banana Republic – $250.00

Since these are available at Macy’s, Express, and B.R., wait for a large sale if you’re interested.

Despite being almost always dark and solid, there’s nothing real subtle about velvet.  With a silk-like shine, velvet is the most peacocky (peacockish?) of cotton fabrics.

Its thick too, so perfect for around the holidays, and it’ll produce a nice contrast up against flannel trousers.  The issue is it carries almost the same “look at me” punch as go-to-hell pants, with none of the tongue in cheek factor.

Velvet sportcoats seemed to come back into favor a few years back, then they disappeared for a winter or two, and now they’re starting to appear again.

There are quieter alternatives.  A rich corduroy will deliver some of the shine, while moleskin ($76.60 w/ GAPTREAT) is sort of a matte and less squishy version of velvet.  But velvet is velvet (profound right?) and that uniqueness is why it’s used on the collars of formal Chesterfield coats.  But even then, that’s just a bit of velvet.

So would you wear it?  Do you own one already?  Or is it just too showy?  Your take goes in the comments… 

J. Crew Velvet Sportcoat in Ludlow Fit – $248.00

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: Tallia Orange, velvet, velvet blazer, would you wear it?

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Comments

  1. Cannon says

    October 31, 2011 at 3:26 AM

    No, not a fan of velvet. It looks a bit dated and uncomfortable, plus I don’t like the texture feeling.

  2. Brock Carter says

    October 31, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    All. Dang. Night.
    I think it puts just a dash of extra flair on a night without going the white jacket/tuxedo route. Big fan.

  3. JRok says

    October 31, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    I have the express jacket and I like it.  Although I recently took it to my tailor for adjusting and he told me to get rid of it. ha.  I think he is just an older fashioned fella and can’t get into it.  I think this jacket looks best at cocktail hour with a white oxford under and a pair of dark jeans.  It is very comfortable as well.

  4. Nick Kourey says

    October 31, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    Own one, actually a Kenneth Cole with a subtle contrasting lapel. It’s actually still at the tailors, I haven’t found the perfect occasion to introduce it yet, but my 10 year High School reunion is coming up….

  5. Mike N says

    October 31, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Not a chance. Don’t think I’d feel comfortable pulling it off.  Also, never liked the feel of velvet.

  6. Jessy Diamond says

    October 31, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    I can’t think of enough occasions to wear it, so not a good investment. But if you gave one to me, I would wear it.

  7. YackoYak says

    October 31, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    I think I would wear it more likely dressed down (far right pic) than dressed up. As with most things; it all depends on your “swagger”. A couple years back I went to a club and 7 out of 10 guys in the group I met up with all wore velvet sport coats. Must have been on sale.

    I wouldn’t pay over $50 for one and I doubt I will find one thrifting.

  8. JDT says

    October 31, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    I’m on the fence. I would consider buying if it were severely discouted (<$100) and didn't need much tailoring. I am thinking maybe for use as a dinner jacket. I would never wear it with jeans like I see some guys do at the bars/clubs.

  9. Anonymous says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Not really my style. I’d rather invest in a scratchy tweed sportcoat to get me through the season. 

  10. Scott says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Holiday party.

  11. Tat says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Marc Anthony’s line at Kholes has a velvet blazer with peak lapels on sale right now.

  12. Butch_Z says

    October 31, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    I have one in midnight blue & it gets a lot of wear in the winter at night. I love the thing. My old man wore a burgundy one that I remember growing up. 

  13. Mark in Denver says

    October 31, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    I own one from Lucky and wear it during winter. Usually in Less formal situations and rarely with a tie. It always stands out a bit, especially in Denver where standard 30 year old man attire is jeans and flip-flops and dressing up is putting a cheap blazer over their Affliction graphic tee.

  14. Aaron says

    October 31, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Absolutely.  I love my Alfani velvet sportcoat.  It is only something I wear on occasion, however.

  15. Paul Stagg says

    October 31, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    If it were socially acceptable, I would drape myself in velvet.

  16. Edward says

    October 31, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Sorry but to me the only person who can pull this off is Hugh Hefner and I guess if you’re a rich playboy yourself. By the way didn’t the Playboy Club get cancelled?

  17. vinman says

    October 31, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    I love my velvet sportcoat. I get many compliments from very attractive ladies when I wear it. I’m a pretty suave dude though. Just sayin’

  18. Bryan Tapella says

    October 31, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    About a year ago, I found an entire rack of (the regularly $250) Alfani Red black velvet sportcoats at Macy’s hanging in the wrong spot and priced closer to $70. I told the salesperson of the mistake and she said I could have one for the posted price before she corrected the mistake; of course I accepted the offer, and figured for the price, I could handle wearing it just every now and again (it’s definitely not a once-a-week wear).

    It comes out for fun (white shirt, paisley wide-knot tie, jeans and boots) and occasionally for kitsch factor (bachelor parties, esp. in Vegas – because why not?). Other than that it just gets brushed here and there and put back in the cedar suit bag.

  19. Jcuster18 says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    I have a black vintage velvet peak lapel tuxedo jacket that I wear to holiday parites that are “dress to impress” or something along those lines. I usually pair it with blackwatch tartan trousers (Brooks Bros vintage) and either black captoes or black calf skin tuxedo pumps (slightly more modern with a grosgrain strip as oppose to a bow). I also wear a bowtie to match the jacket facings but if the party gets casual I can always untie the tie. I missed out on a navy Ben Silver model with self faced peak lapels and, one button about a year ago on ebay for under $150.00; I still have bitter feelings about it.

    I am pretty fond of the velvet jacket when it is cut like a one button tuxedo jacket (peak lapels self faced or satin/grosgrain) or a shawl collar classic smoking jacket (look at the one from Paul Stuart). I think the current round of two button notch collars are ok as long as you wear them to the right place and it fits your style. If you don’t do it right you run the risk of looking like a Jersey Shore reject who is dressing up for “da club”. The other danger with velvet is that it is bulky, so the fit needs to be razor sharp.

    My suggestion is to stick with a solid basic color (burgundy, bottle green, navy, grey or black), the jacket speaks loudly from the material, the colors do not need to do that as well. Avoid any sort of added designs or stitching on the jacket, and pair it with dark wool, or denim (never cords and NEVER velvet pants). Wear a solid white shirt, and if going with a tie do a dark solid in silk or wool knit, or a silk or wool bow tie (solid or subtle pattern that seems “winter”). If going with a pocket square, go cotton and use the same judgement as when picking a solid white shirt.

  20. Jcuster18 says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I think I may have had the same one….Grey with a black contrast facing on part of the lapel? Either way I wore it on a date once, that was well over 18 months ago. My date complimented me on it, but I never used it again. I recently gave it away to a buddy who tends to be more of a night club guy than I am, he seemed to think it would work well in that setting.

    I missed my 10 year, but from the pics a lot of people were in suits or sport coats. I would stick to a more subtle navy blue wool sport coat/blazer (with patch pockets to set it apart, if you can find one) if it is a more casual affair; rock a well tailored suit if it more buttoned up. Velvet can look cool, but it can also look “Situation-ish” if not done perfectly.

  21. Rlclay111 says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I have a velvet blazer that I haven’t worn in at least 2 years.  I have since lost some weight and been working ouy and now the jacket seems too big.  It could also be the fact that I buy all my clothing “fitted” now.  Anyway, is it very expensive to have the jacket tailored?  I was tempted many times to donate to Goodwill but now I’m glad I held on to it.

  22. bigtime says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    For a lot of us, wearing sportcoats casually is a reach.  Velvet just pushes into try-hard territory.

  23. Joe says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Ha!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imgGyD6waTA  Side note:  There’s a guy at the gym who wears a velour track suit.  Actually, I should say he wears velour track “suits” because he often wears the teal top and the maroon bottoms.  It’s something.

  24. Derrel says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Absolutely. I purchased mine from Uniqlo last year but have only worn it twice. It looks great on a fall/winter night out.

  25. BenR says

    October 31, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Having owned a velvet blazer before, I can attest to the fact that you will find limited opportunities to wear them if you are a conventional dresser.

    Black velvet… meh. I gave mine away when I dropped sizes and I haven’t regretted it. But a deep navy or burgundy velvet blazer would give me pause. I might invent excuses to wear one if I ever found it in an agreeable price range.

  26. big_scooter says

    October 31, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    I recently got a black one while thrifting.  It is currently getting altered.  I still have my reservations, but at $3 plus $15 to get the sides taken in, I didn’t think I could go too far wrong.

  27. Dex says

    October 31, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I would love to track down a nice navy (or midnight blue as an other commenter said he had) would be great for going out at night as I find the majority of my preppy style is more suited to day time than evening wear.

  28. Tyrone says

    October 31, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    I would, and I do.  I only wish I’d gotten chocolate brown or midnight blue instead of black.   Still, for occasions when I want to look dressed up but not at all serious, it’s a go-to. Those occasions don’t come up too often, but I’ve enjoyed the jacket when they do.  And the ladies don’t seem to mind a bit.

  29. Facebook User says

    November 1, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    Not for me, personally.  But, certain people can pull it off.

  30. Will Ablett says

    November 1, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    I think this looks glorious! I would adore a black velvet jacket & I would comfortably wear it not just at super-formal occasions but general social occasions too. I HAVE to have one of these!

  31. Brumdrundrl says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I had one of these the first goround. Rich cocoaey brown Merona from Target, BION. Felt really nice on. A few years before I found an inky blue sort of cross between corduroy and velvet made out of wool & spandex, made in Russia of all places. Got that blazer at Value City. Wish either one still fit, but at 35# lighter there’d be a lot of tailoring.

  32. chas says

    November 2, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Hells yeah! I got a blue one for 50beans! Atl nightclub here I come. See you wall flowers in the funny papers!

  33. Chris says

    November 3, 2011 at 7:18 PM

     I wouldn’t mind one in the collection, as I would wear it out at night for social events or drinks.  I would prefer a midnight blue or black….don’t think I can pull off anything else.
    That being said, don’t want to drop $200 on it….

  34. Ale Karout says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    If you wear it with a great deal of khutzpah and no irony, you can definitely do it. Confidence makes almost god dang anything wearable!

  35. Duncan says

    December 16, 2013 at 10:04 PM

    I have a burgundy velvet blazer that gets tons of use. Wear it a few times a week at least. I pair it with dark jeans and white shirt or with gray or charcoal pants. Occasionally I’ll dress it up with a bright colored bow tie. It’s definitely not for everyone, I myself would’ve never worn this 5 years ago, but now I rarely find myself dressing casually anymore and crave the attention I get when I turn heads when walking into a room. Love mine and highly recommend giving it a try.

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