Velvet might not be the first fabric you think of when you imagine your perfect summer wardrobe but the luxurious textured fabric that was everywhere last winter is sticking around for the sunny months and beyond. And now that the weather has taken a slight turn for the worse, velvet is the perfect option for transitional dressing and experimental layering.
While its 2016 iteration consisted mostly of boots and festive wear in darker shades, velvet is now making a bolder impact in the form of tailoring, robes, shorts and tops in vibrant jewel tones of emerald, citrine, ruby and sapphire.
At Erdem for AW17 there were sumptuous floral velvet midi skirts while Gucci, Stella McCartney and Prada all showcased velvet tailoring, offering a new spin on the women's suit.
Add some colour and unexpected texture to your autumn ensembles with the velvety items ahead.
Pandora Sykes gives us a masterclass in vivid velvet, wearing a deep aquamarine Topshop short suit over an N-DUO Miami T-shirt, with a Gucci belt and Mansur Gavriel bag.
If a velvet suit is a step too far on your sartorial scale, try more low-key velvet tailoring with a duster coat. This mint-green number from Topshop is lightweight and perfect for trans-seasonal layering.
Topshop duster coat, £40, available at Topshop
Add some drama to your denim by teaming your favourite pair of jeans with a velvet vest.
H&M mint green crushed velvet strappy top, £12.99, available at H&M
Miu Miu's boxy bomber jacket is cut from emerald velvet and decorated with beaded patches for a retro feel. Wear with jeans, a tee and mules for more casual attire or a summer dress and espadrilles for a colourful, chic party look.
Miu Miu appliquéd velvet bomber jacket, £1,425, available at Net-A-Porter
Update your cotton summer shorts with a velvet pair instead and wear with a satin blouse or slogan T-shirt.
Topshop velvet frill shorts, £20, available at Topshop
We wish we had a red carpet event to wear this showstopper to. Who knew avocado-coloured velvet would make the dream dress?
Galvan hammered velvet dress, £975, available at Galvan
Candela Pelizza makes an eye-popping statement in pink, wearing a floor-length Attico robe with black Prada block heels and a Marni bag.
Part of Demna Gvasalia's Pre-Fall '17 Balenciaga collection, this pointy pair of fuchsia sock booties are the shoes of the season.
Balenciaga velvet ankle boots, £685, available at Net-A-Porter
Tap into the maximalist trend with these ruby red sandals.
Sam Edelman Odele velvet sandals, £95, available at Net-A-Porter
Cut from crinkled and crushed velvet, with an exaggerated collar, sliced bell cuffs, a cinched waist and wide-leg trousers, this baby pink suit creates a sleek, sophisticated silhouette.
Rejina Pyo Claire belted crushed-velvet jacket, £625, available at Net-A-Porter
Rejina Pyo Beatrice crushed-velvet wide-leg trousers, £435, available at Net-A-Porter
Ensure these lustrous scarlet booties stay in the spotlight with cropped trousers and a complementary bright red pout.
Saint Laurent Loulou velvet ankle boots, £685, available at Matches Fashion
Add some sunshine to a grey day like Alexandra Lapp, who wears a yellow velvet Dorothee Schumacher suit.
Alternatively, wear a canary yellow co-ord for an equally sunny look.
Monki ribbed velvet choker top, £20, available at ASOS
Monki velvet pleated drawstring midi skirt, £35, available at ASOS
With a softer-than-butter touch and an ankle-grazing length, this velvet skirt is an easy way to add some colour to a monochrome wardrobe.
Warehouse crushed velvet midi skirt, £10, available at Warehouse
The plunging neckline. The gold. The velvet. The short, ruffle-trimmed sleeves. A thousand times, yes.
Masscob deep V-neck velvet midi dress, £344, available at Matches Fashion
Caroline Issa amps up a white dress in a bright blue blazer and velvet slippers.
You might have noticed our current obsession with kimonos but this shorter velveteen version makes for the perfect party top.
Zara velvet kimono with patches, £39.99, available at Zara
Not one for understated dressers, this Maison Margiela top is cut and draped from crushed velvet that undulates with light and shade. Team the teal hue with black tailoring.
Maison Margiela draped crushed-velvet top, £980, available at Net-A-Porter
This wrap-front blue silk-blend velvet dress can be worn as a glamorous gown with heels and killer accessories, or pared back with jeans and sandals.
Attico Raquel Velvet Dress, £360, available at Browns Fashion
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