Age doesn't matter.

How to Style Velvet Tops of All Sorts

Welcome to this deep dive into how to style velvet tops of all sorts. This is an update to number four out of Your True Self Blog’s top ten most-viewed style posts of 2023. In this post, I’ve added lots more outfit combinations for this lush and classy basic wardrobe item. Don’t miss taking advantage of all this inspiration to come up with new ways to add a velvet top to your daily looks!

You may already own one or more velvet tops. If not, it’s worth the purchase. Then use the ideas below to shop your closet and create a range of looks to wear anytime, anywhere.

This is the third in a series of velvet outfit combinations. The first was a style tip (see HERE) and the second was all about a velvet blazer or jacket (see HERE.) The next four posts in this series cover a velvet duster or kimono (HERE), velvet pants (HERE) velvet skirts (HERE) and a velvet dress (HERE).

I’m starting out below with a style tip and then follow that with outfit ideas for how you can style velvet tops:

  • with skirts,
  • with pants,
  • using velvet button-down shirts,
  • using velvet tunics
  • and more.

  I hope this makes it easy for you to get dressed quick, get more use out of your velvet pieces and feel like a million bucks every day. Age doesn’t matter!

Liona Velvet Top View 5C_GAR
Liona Velvet Top from Sundance with black jeans

Style Tip for Velvet Tops:  

Dress down a velvet top or tunic with leggings, a vintage t-shirt, denims or sneakers.

If you are not attending a fancy event, you can substitute velveteen or velour for velvet if you like.

To get a good start, why don’t you list what color tops, toppers and bottoms you have in velvet? Then see how many combinations you can come up with, either paired with each other or paired with compatible colors in your closet.

Outfit Ideas for Wearing Velvet Tops With Skirts

Fall eve SS velvet top w skirt
From Soft Surroundings
  • Pair a velvet top with a floral maxi skirt or any maxi skirt you choose.
  • For instance, wear a black velvet top over a black printed maxi-skirt.  Add a statement necklace & black heels.
  • Or, wear a black velvet top over a black velvet skirt.  Add black sheers & heels.
  • Match the color of your velvet top to a maxi skirt.  Add boots & statement earrings.
  • A velvet top + a black faux leather skirt. You might want to add a black belt, heeled ankle boots and a boyish coat. 
    Velvet button down from Anthropologie with a tulle skirt
  • A black velvet top + a semi-sheer maxi skirt (or a skirt that would normally need a slip) + black leggings. Add black boots.
  • For double the luxe, pair a velvet top with an embellished maxi skirt.
  • Accessorize a velvet top & a denim skirt with gold hoop earrings & a gold bracelet. 
  • A black velvet top + a gray maxi-skirt.  Add black boots + hoop earrings.
  • Any color velvet top goes beautifully with a black skirt.
  • Restaurant Dinner, Theater Opening, etc.: A velvet shirt worn open as a jacket + a black jersey camisole + a black jersey skirt.  Add black satin shoes.
  • Restaurant, Theater, etc.: A velvet shirt + a lacy camisole + a long, slim skirt.  You might like to add a belt with jeweled buckle.

Outfit Ideas for Wearing Velvet Tops With Pants

A velvet top from Free People with black jeans and animal-print sneakers
  • Pair a velvet top with black jeans or black pants. Add ankle boots or high-top sneakers.
  • Pair an emerald green velvet top with red pants, or a red velvet top with green pants because they are complementary colors. Or try other complementary colors, such as yellow and purple or blue and orange.
  • Match a pair of pants to your velvet top.
  • A black velvet top + a black sleeveless blazer + leggings or yoga pants.  Leave the sleeveless blazer unbuttoned and belt it.
  • A velvet top + corduroy or cargo pants.
Burnout velvet blouse from Anthropologie  — velvet tops turn up the heat with faux leather pants
  • A burnout velvet top + faux leather pants.
  • Pair a velvet top with silk pants for a luxurious texture mix.
  • A velvet tunic shirt buttoned low over black leggings or jeggings (jean leggings.).  Add big, ornate, gold earrings + a gold charm or link bracelet.
  • Out for Pizza, or Out to Dinner With Family:  A velvet top + jeans + boots. You might like to add a pretty choker or dress up this simple outfit a bit with a pearl necklace.
  • Easy Evening: A velvet shirt worn as a jacket over a cream satin blouse + black trousers.  Add black satin shoes + a black belt with jeweled buckle + gold or silver jewelry.

Ways to Wear A Velvet Button-Down Shirt

The Velvet Shirt from Soft Surroundings with black skinnies — a simple way to wear velvet tops
  • A velvet big shirt unbuttoned low over black skinnies. Add silver or gold coin earrings + silver and/or gold bangles.
  • Unbutton a velvet shirt as low as you dare to go over black or blue skinnies/jeggings/leggings.  Add statement earrings + bangles, or a necklace that matches the color of the shirt.
  • A velvet tunic shirt unbuttoned low over black leggings.  Add big, shiny, gold, dangling earrings.  Curl your hair or put it up to make it special and to highlight the earrings.
  • A velvet shirt unbuttoned low + a special camisole + blue jeans or jeggings.  Add a gold collar necklace with sparkle + a short cross necklace + a dinner ring.
  • Wear a velvet shirt buttoned over any black leggings (embellished, faux leather, snake skin, velvet, cotton spandex, etc.)  Push back sleeves and add statement gold earrings + multi-textured gold bangles.
Velvet Maxi Top from Free People shows how easy it is to wear velvet tops with animal prints.
  • Wear a velvet big-shirt with animal-print leggings to add a sexy vibe.
  • A tunic-length velvet shirt + leggings, jeggings (denim leggings) or skinny jeans. Add a short necklace on a cord + boots; or small, gold hoop earrings + ballet flats; or a long, beaded necklace or two.
  • A tunic-length velvet shirt over a turtleneck + black leggings inside tall black boots with a heel. Add a black belt slung over hips.
  • Button a velvet shirt over blue jeans.  Add a short necklace in the collar + gold bracelets.
  • A velvet shirt over black leather pants.  Add a statement necklace (try matching to color of the shirt + bangles + black heels.  If you prefer to use the shirt as a jacket, unbutton and add a camisole the same color as the shirt.
  • Simply pair a velvet shirt with black pants.  Then add a necklace.

So Many Ways to Wear a Velvet Shirt Open as a Jacket

Velvet shirt from Soft Surroundings worn open over a black top and blue jeans

A Velvet Shirt Worn Open as a Jacket With Jeans

  • A velvet shirt worn open as a jacket over a camisole or tank top & blue jeans.  Add statement earrings or a short pendant in a color to match the shirt.
  • A velvet shirt worn open as a jacket + a shell top in a color to match the shirt + blue jeans. Add statement turquoise earrings (they go with anything) or multiple strands of gold beads with gold earrings.
  • Wear a velvet shirt open over a black shell top & jeans. Add big earrings & a gold bracelet.
  • Wear a velvet shirt open as a jacket over a blouse & blue jeans.  Add a skinny metallic scarf.
  • A velvet shirt as jacket + a graphic tee + jeans. Belt it.
  • A velvet shirt as a jacket over a white tank or tee & blue jeans.

A Velvet Shirt Worn Open as a Jacket With Velvet Pants

From Cotton Traders
  • Wear a velvet shirt as a jacket over a shell top & velvet pants. You might like to add a knit scarf of a different color than the shirt.
  • A velvet shirt as a jacket + a camisole in a color to match the shirt + velvet pants in a neutral color.
  • Wear a velvet shirt as a jacket over a camisole in a color to match the shirt & velvet pants in a neutral color.
  • A jewel-colored velvet shirt as jacket + a white tank over black velvet pants.  Add multiple gold chains + black heels.
  • A purple velvet shirt as jacket + a cream silk blouse + navy velvet trousers.
  • Wear a velvet shirt as jacket with a cream silk shirt tucked into black trousers.  Accessorize with black satin shoes & gold jewelry.  You may also like to add a gold chain belt or a belt with a jeweled buckle.
  • A velvet shirt as jacket + a lace turtleneck + black pants.  Add opaque stockings + pumps.
  • Wear a velvet shirt as jacket over a black, navy or brown top with a pair of pants or a skirt that matches the top.
  • A velvet shirt over a sweater, such as gray + gray or neutral-color pants.

A Velvet Shirt Worn Open as a Jacket With Leggings

Luxe button down velvet shirt from Poshmark plus size
  • A velvet shirt as jacket + matching color velvet leggings + a long, black top.
  • Wear a velvet big-shirt open as a jacket + a tunic in black or a color of your choice + printed leggings or skinnies.
  • Combine a velvet big-shirt worn open over a simple top or tee + velvet leggings.
  • Wear a velvet big-shirt open over a dressy tunic-length tank & leggings. Add over-the-knee boots + multiple strands of metal beads or a bib necklace. You might like to layer a short pendant over your necklace. 
  • A velvet big-shirt open over a matching-color tunic + a vest buttoned over the tunic + black leggings. Add black ankle boots or black oxfords.
  • A velvet shirt as jacket + matching color velvet leggings + a long, black jersey camisole.

A Velvet Shirt Worn Open as a Jacket Over a Column of Color

Crimson Velvet Long Sleeve Shirt from Etsy over a column of black
  • Any color velvet shirt as jacket over a black top and black bottoms. (for example, a velvet shirt unbuttoned over a black camisole & black velour pants.)
  • A velvet shirt as jacket + a black camisole + black pants.
  • A velvet shirt as jacket over a black maxi-dress. Or wear the shirt over a little black dress and add a studded belt.
  • Wear a velvet shirt as jacket over a gray cami & gray flannel pants.
  • Big Evening Dress Trick:  A velvet shirt as jacket over a bare black camisole + a long, black jersey skirt, with or without sparkle.

A Velvet Shirt Worn Open as a Jacket Over a Dress

Pilcro Relaxed Velvet Buttondown
Pilcro Relaxed Velvet Buttondown from Anthropologie over a silky maxi dress
  • Wear a velvet shirt over dresses, long and short.
  • A velvet big-shirt + a maxi dress + boots or sneakers.
  • A velvet shirt as jacket + a little black dress.  Add a studded belt.
  • Wear a velvet shirt as a jacket over a black maxi-dress.
  • Evening:  Use a velvet shirt as an evening cover over a black dress no matter what length. Add a statement necklace. Try matching the color of the necklace to the shirt.

      Ways to Wear A Velvet Tunic

      From Soft Surroundings
      1. A velvet tunic + skinnies. Add statement jewelry: earrings, a necklace, a cuff or two or a big ring.
      2. A pinstripe suit + a velvet tunic in a color to match the suit. Add a fedora + boots.
      3. Pair a velvet tunic with a long or short slim skirt or pencil skirt. Matching the top & bottom color creates a long and slimming silhouette.
      4. A velvet tunic + velvet leggings or pants (the top and bottom can be any colors you choose).
      5. A velvet tunic + blue jeans.  Add earrings + a short, delicate chain necklace + a bronze or gold beaded wrap bracelet + a gemstone ring.
      6. Pair a velvet tunic with skinny blue jeans or jeggings.  To add a special touch, curl your hair or style it in a different way than usual.
      7. A velvet tunic + white skinnies.

      More Outfit Ideas Using Velvet Tops

      Charlize Blouse from Johnny Was with velvet crops
      • Pair a velvet top with velvet pants or skirt. For instance, you could combine an emerald green or navy velvet top with black or navy velvet pants or skirt.
      • A velvet top or topper (duster, kimono, blazer, jacket, etc.) + velvet pants or skirt.
      • Wear a velvet top & a silk jacket over bottoms of your choice.
      • A velvet top + matching color velvet skirt or pants.  Alternatively, pair a velvet top with matching color skirt or pants in another material.
      Velvet Alyssa Knit Top from Soft Surroundings with black velvet pants
      • A gray velvet top + black velvet pants. Add gold:  earrings, bracelet, bag & ballet flats.
      • A velvet top + blue jeans.  1) Add heels and a cuff, or 2) Add a statement necklace toned to the color of your top, or 3) Add statement earrings, or 4) Add gold jewelry:  earrings, bracelets, chains, or 5) Add a chain belt + a charm necklace, or 6) Add evening earrings, a bracelet, black boots with a heel.
      • A moto jacket + a velvet top + blue jeans.
      • Pair a velvet shirt or tunic with black or blue jeans.

        Does this inspire new outfit ideas for you? What is your favorite way to style your velvet tops? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Please leave a reply below.

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