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A black blazer is a classic wardrobe piece, but in a luxury fabric like velvet, it can really up the "wow" factor when it comes to any outfit. A little dressier than a typical dark-hued jacket, black velvet blazers are surprisingly versatile -- they can be worn with virtually any color, any other fabric and with any other item of clothing, ranging from a maxi skirt to fancy shorts. So depending on where you're headed and what you feel comfortable wearing, you can be sure that a tailored velvet black blazer can make almost any outfit look fabulous.
A Classic Dress
Blazers sometimes come cropped, but they can also be cut longer to flow past the hip. If you own a black velvet blazer that follows a lengthier style more similar to a coat, try pairing it with a classically neutral-hued dress underneath in a cream shade or even a soft gray. The Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, demonstrated this timeless look when she attended a Yorkshire wedding in 2011. She paired a partly sheer, knee-length dark gray dress with a regal, black velvet coat held together with a crystal clasp just underneath the bust line. She accessorized with plum-colored pumps, a matching plum-colored clutch and a black pillbox hat, adding some color (and some hip European style) without distracting from her very simple yet elegant afternoon ensemble.
Chic Black From Head to Toe
Wearing all black can definitely be stylish, as long as you follow one simple guideline: Make sure that the fabrics differ from one another to prevent the ensemble from looking overly monotonous and worst of all -- boring. Donning black from head to toe in the same cotton fabric is anything but chic, but mixing satin with velvet and maybe a touch of suede can make black look absolutely luxurious and completely sophisticated. Take a look at Angelina Jolie in 2010, when she attended the premiere for "The Tourist" in Rome. She wore loose, black satin trousers that draped over her heels with a low-cut, belted black velvet blazer (with the sleeves coolly rolled up). The outfit provides coverage but still remains super sexy -- especially with her wise choice to add a bold red lip.
A Fiery Little Mini
If you're the more modest type, feel free to add a black velvet blazer to a little mini dress or skirt. Not only will the blazer add a vibe of effortless extravagance to your ensemble, you'll also keep warm if the event you're attending is being held outdoors in chilly weather. Check out actress Isla Fisher, who was photographed at the 2010 premiere of "Burke and Hare" in London wearing a red-and-black, body-hugging strapless mini dress with sheer black stockings and black velvet pointed-toe pumps, topped with a very cropped black velvet blazer. Though Fisher is petite, she still has a somewhat curvy shape, and a blazer cut this short serves to really show off her cinched-in, tiny waist, making her look even more wonderfully voluptuous.
A Casual Tee and Scarf
Just because velvet is a dressier fabric doesn't mean you can't pair it with more informal pieces. In fact, combining different kinds of styles into one outfit -- when done well -- tends to make the entire look unique and much more interesting. Examples are combining leather and modal or chiffon with jersey. In this scenario, try pairing denim or twill with cotton, topped with your velvet blazer. Nicky Hilton pulled off this style in classic black-and-white while shopping in Beverly Hills. She wore black skinny jeans, white ballet flats, a white cotton tee, a black velvet blazer and a black metallic scarf knotted loosely around her neck. Along with cool shades and an oversize white patent handbag, Hilton definitely knows how to mix it up, and comes off looking effortlessly in vogue.
