There is something about a velvet suit that makes you feel like you have your life together, even when you are just figuring things out one outfit at a time. Add a rich wine-red color, a black turtleneck, ankle boots and a little Parisian magic, and suddenly, getting dressed becomes an experience!
When I wore my slightly oversized wine-red velvet suit in Paris, at Trocadéro, I wanted an outfit that felt sophisticated without being too serious. I paired it with black accessories, a black beret and pink African-inspired jewellery to give the look a personal touch. The result was a mix of classic European style and African-inspired expression, which is exactly the kind of fashion combination I enjoy.
If you have a velvet suit hanging in your wardrobe and are wondering how to make it look stylish rather than overly formal, here are a few ideas inspired by my Paris outfit.
1. Choose a Rich Colour That Makes a Statement
One of the easiest ways to make a velvet suit stand out is to choose a colour with depth. Wine red was my choice, and I think it is one of the most beautiful colours you can wear in velvet.
Unlike brighter reds, wine red has a sophisticated, almost luxurious feel. It is rich without being loud, making it a lovely option for autumn, winter, evening events and those days when you simply want your outfit to do a little more.
Velvet naturally catches the light differently depending on how the fabric moves. This gives the colour dimension and makes the suit look interesting even when the rest of your outfit is relatively simple.
If wine red is not your colour, consider emerald green, midnight blue, chocolate brown or classic black. These shades also work beautifully with velvet.
My advice? Let the fabric and colour do some of the talking. You do not need to pile on lots of extra details to make a velvet suit memorable.
2. Embrace the Slightly Oversized Fit
I love a slightly oversized suit because it feels relaxed while still looking put together. The beauty of this fit is that it gives you room to move and creates that effortless, borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic without losing its feminine appeal.
My wine-red velvet suit had a slightly oversized silhouette, which made it feel modern rather than stiff or overly corporate.
When styling an oversized velvet suit for a woman, pay attention to proportion. If your blazer is roomy and your trousers are wide-legged, a fitted top underneath can help create balance. Alternatively, you can lean into the relaxed silhouette and let the entire outfit feel loose and fluid.
The important thing is that the suit should look intentional. You want to feel comfortable, not as though you accidentally picked up someone else's clothes!
You can also roll up your sleeves slightly or leave your blazer open to make the outfit feel less formal.
3. Wear a Black Turtleneck for an Elegant Finish
A black turtleneck was the perfect base for my wine-red velvet suit.
Black and wine red are a beautiful combination because the darker neutral allows the richness of the velvet to stand out. The turtleneck also adds a clean, streamlined layer beneath the slightly oversized blazer.
This is one of my favourite tricks when figuring out how to wear a velvet suit. Instead of pairing it with a complicated blouse or a top covered in embellishments, choose something simple that complements the suit.
A fitted black top, a fine-knit sweater or a minimalist bodysuit would work just as well.
For colder weather, the turtleneck is especially practical because you can stay warm without sacrificing style. It also gives the outfit a polished finish that works for sightseeing, dinner dates and city breaks.
4. Add Black Ankle Boots
Shoes can completely change the mood of a suit. For my outfit, I went with black ankle boots, which complemented the black turtleneck and helped tie the look together.
Ankle boots are a great option when styling velvet because they add a little structure without competing with the texture of the fabric.
For a more casual look, try flat ankle boots or chunky-soled styles. If you are dressing up for an evening out, heeled boots can make the silhouette feel more elevated.
You could also wear pointed-toe pumps for a more traditional tailored look or clean trainers if you want to make the suit feel contemporary and relaxed.
When travelling, I always think about whether an outfit will work for the actual day, not just the photographs. A beautiful outfit is even better when you can comfortably walk around and enjoy your destination.
5. Add a Beret for a Parisian Touch
Could I wear a beret in Paris without leaning into a little Parisian fashion fantasy? Of course I could. But where is the fun in that?
My black beret added personality to the outfit while complementing the black turtleneck and boots. It also gave the wine-red suit a slightly artistic feel, which worked beautifully against the Parisian backdrop at Trocadéro.
A beret is a simple accessory, but it can make an outfit feel thoughtfully styled. Wear it slightly tilted for a relaxed look, or position it more traditionally for a classic finish.
You do not need to be in Paris to wear one, either. A beret can work with a long coat, jeans, a knit dress or even a simple monochrome outfit.
The trick is to wear it because you enjoy it, rather than feeling that you need to dress like a Parisian stereotype.
6. Bring in African-Inspired Jewellery
My favourite detail was the pink African-inspired jewellery.
Against the wine-red velvet and black layers, the pink added colour, character and a little unexpected contrast. It also made the outfit feel more personal.
I love styling outfits that bring different influences together. A tailored suit can feel quite classic on its own, but accessories can tell a story about your personality, culture and individual taste.
The pink jewellery softened the darker colours and prevented the outfit from feeling too serious. It was a reminder that elegant dressing does not have to mean sticking to neutral accessories.
You could experiment with bold earrings, beaded necklaces, statement cuffs or colourful African-inspired pieces. Choose jewellery that complements the suit without overwhelming its texture.
Fashion is more interesting when it reflects who you are, rather than simply following a list of trends.
7. Take Your Velvet Suit to Paris
Wearing a velvet suit in Paris felt like a natural fit. The wine-red colour, black accessories and slightly oversized tailoring created an outfit that felt sophisticated enough for the city but comfortable enough for exploring.
Trocadéro was a particularly lovely setting for the look. With its iconic views of the Eiffel Tower, it is a place where even an ordinary stroll can feel special.
Of course, you do not need a trip to Paris to wear a velvet suit. Try yours for a dinner date, a birthday celebration, a gallery visit or a stylish city outing. You can also separate the pieces and wear the blazer with jeans or style the trousers with a simple fitted top.
That versatility makes a suit a worthwhile wardrobe investment, especially when you choose a colour and fit you genuinely love.
If you have been wondering how to style a velvet suit, my biggest tip is to let the texture make a statement while using your accessories to express your personality.
My slightly oversized wine-red suit, black turtleneck, black ankle boots, black beret and pink African-inspired jewellery came together because each piece had a purpose. The black created balance, the velvet brought richness, and the jewellery added an unexpected pop of colour.
You can recreate the combination or make it your own with different shoes, accessories and colours.
Ultimately, great style is not about wearing the most expensive pieces or copying every trend. It is about understanding what you enjoy, experimenting with combinations and having fun with the clothes you already own.
And if a wine-red velvet suit makes you feel fabulous while wandering around Paris, I would say you are doing something right!
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