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Real Weddings: Emma and Gavin’s picturesque castle wedding in Co Mayo

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If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Complete Harmony owner Gail Bovenizer
If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Complete Harmony owner Gail Bovenizer

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The ultimate family weekend away in Monaghan
The ultimate family weekend away in Monaghan

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Alma Kelliher: ‘Success in the arts can look different to success in other fields’
Alma Kelliher: ‘Success in the arts can look different to success in other fields’

Sarah Gill

How one of Ireland’s most iconic mills has evolved for the modern day
How one of Ireland’s most iconic mills has evolved for the modern day

Cliodhna Prendergast

WIN a night in a five-star luxury London hotel (plus afternoon tea for two)
WIN a night in a five-star luxury London hotel (plus afternoon tea for two)

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This Glasthule home is an urban seaside sanctuary
This Glasthule home is an urban seaside sanctuary

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6 wines to try this summer, according to an expert
6 wines to try this summer, according to an expert

Michelle Lawlor

Mid-century cool meets contemporary Irish design in this Dublin seaside home
Mid-century cool meets contemporary Irish design in this Dublin seaside home

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Dearbhla Lovett: A weekend in my wardrobe
Dearbhla Lovett: A weekend in my wardrobe

Dearbhla Lovett

Image / Fashion

Why velvet is the new black for Christmas


By Marie Kelly
29th Nov 2018
Why velvet is the new black for Christmas

Nothing says Christmas quite like the sumptuous texture of velvet. It has all the properties we associate with the festive season: ostentation, luxury, warmth… Here are five gorgeous velvet items perfect for the party season.

Rather than ease you in, I thought I’d hit you straight off with an absolute showstopper of a velvet dress. I could only pull off this dress in my dreams… but it’s nice to dream. Beautifully embellished and with a modern asymmetric hemline as well as a cut-out back, this is a dress for those of you who want to dazzle more brightly than a Christmas tree.

Embellished velvet dress, Petite, €210 at topshop.com

There’s something quite regal about this dress. I feel the model should be sitting in front of an enormous fireplace drinking wine from a goblet. A perfect Christmas Day dress, it’s elegant and sophisticated, but looks supremely comfortable too.

Velvet maxi dress, €199 at uterque.com

A velvet trouser suit is top of my wish list right now. It looks so chic as is, but the pieces can be worn separately for a more low-key look. I’d probably pair these wide-leg trousers with a polo neck for Christmas Day, and I think wearing this blazer over a printed pleated skirt would add a little playfulness to its structured silhouette.

Blazer, €99.95, and trousers, €59.95, both at Zara

A pyjama-style velvet shirt is a great way to elevate staples on those days over Christmas when you’re a little weary of “dressing up” but you don’t want to look dressed down.

Embroidered shirt, Mira Mikati, €672 at net-a-porter.com

This halter-neck dress looks like a fun, easy piece to wear – there’s a lot to be said for a dress that hangs loosely from your frame at this time of year. The frill hemlime adds a nice touch of detailing as does the bow, which ties at the back of the neck.

Halter-neck frill swing dress, €55 at River Island