The Velvet Tuxedo Jacket
There’s no way to interpret a velvet tuxedo jacket as run-of-the-mill – it’s the epitome of sumptuousness, softness and refinement. Show up at any event wearing one, and everyone knows you’re a man of impeccable taste, who’s there to spread joy.
The beauty of the velvet jacket undoubtedly comes from the way light plays with its surface. The gentle folds and curves give a shimmering, almost chameleon-esqe appearance, where brilliant highlights interact with deepest shadows. It comes particularly alive at evening events, where subtle lighting sets the jacket aglow, giving it a life of its own.
There’s also the inescapable association with luxury that velvet brings. When it first arrived in Europe from China in the 1300s, velvet was the preserve of the wealthiest classes of aristocrats and royals. Needless to say, anyone who could carry off the velvet look with pristine grace wasn’t engaged in anything close to manual labour – they were the served class, not the servants.
It’s only relatively recently that velvet became affordable to the masses, but the plush fabric will probably never shake off its regal connotations. And that’s partly why a velvet dinner jacket remains such a charming garment to this day.
Before you pull on your jacket, slip into your genuine tuxedo trousers and polished Oxfords. Add a flawlessly pressed shirt and a hand-knotted bow tie, and you’ve got the foundations sorted. Don’t forget grooming – whether you’re bearded or shaven, hirsute or bald, there shouldn’t be a hair out of place. Finish off with a step through a mist of your favourite cologne, then pull on your jacket and skilfully insert your contrasting pocket square. A last look in the mirror, final adjustments, and you’re ready to go.
Where to wear your tuxedo jacket
Your velvet jacket will serve you well during any occasion deemed “special”. You can probably rule it out of your office-wear options for being too dressy and impractical, and we’d probably avoid it at funerals or other sombre occasions, simply because it has a bit more of a celebratory feel. When there’s a more convivial mood, though, velvet comes into play.
The black tie event is the tuxedo jacket’s natural habitat. If you’re a self-conscious type, you’ll have the added bonus of not being the only guy in a tux, as they’re pretty much par for the course at such events. If you do want to stand out from the crowd, consider upping the volume on your colour choice. You’ll certainly be in a minority if you go for a luxurious red velvet dinner jacket at a black tie evening – if that’s your goal, red’s your choice.
Christmas parties, be they work- or family-related, are another opportunity to get with the velvet. They ooze winter warmth like a glass of fine sherry by a log fire. Green is a festive option, mirroring the tree, the wreath and – if you’re lucky – the mistletoe. A week later you’ll have another opportunity to wear it when New Year’s Eve comes around. Indoor parties will be all the more fun when you’re tuxed up, but we’d probably avoid wearing it for any outdoor revelry.
Sticking with winter, should you be invited to a winter wedding, there’s no better time to show up in a celebratory velvet jacket. From the marriage ceremony itself to dancing the night away, nothing emits warmth and love like the soft, romantic feel of the velvet on your shoulders.
If ever there’s a whiff of exclusivity or invitation-only class, your velvet jacket will be there to help you out. Award ceremonies, swanky product launches, opening nights of theatre or movie shows … you’re expected to show your best side and raise the tone of the event, so pull on something black and luxurious and let the entertainment begin.
Finally, if you’re the kind of person who regularly gets invited to stylish dinner parties or meals out in Michelin-starred restaurants, your velvet dinner jacket is going to get plenty of wear. It shows you’re respecting the hosts, the event and the location, and you’ll leave a memorable impression long after the crockery is cleared away.
Of course, a true socialite will have more than one dinner jacket in his wardrobe, stored impeccably to be thrown on at a moment’s notice. A diverse range of colours will let you match the season and the occasion with aplomb.
Perfection is a achievable
There’s nothing humble about the velvet tuxedo jacket. It’s designed to impress and to enjoy, and you just know that whenever you’re dressed up in yours, special things can happen. The time to go velvet is now – choose your jacket and prepare to celebrate.
