The classic velvet suit has acquired its own level of fashionable flair in recent years, with Gigi Hadid, Halle Berry, and Olivia Wilde all hopping on the bandwagon in designs from Tommy Hilfiger, Veronica Beard, and Alberta Ferretti.
While the velvet suit has always evoked a distinctive quality of cool, it’s safe to say that the perennial style staple has never been the same since Tom Ford’s inimitable tenure as creative director at Italian fashion house Gucci.
More specifically, the crimson velvet suit from the designer’s Fall/Winter 1996 collection famously worn by Gwyneth Paltrow at the MTV Video Music Awards caused the ensemble to go down in fashion history.
While the velvet suit has always been a festive formal go-to in menswear, Ford’s unique reimagining of the classic cut gave the velvet pantsuit a modern femininity.
The fashion community collectively lost their minds when Ford remade the look for his Fall/Winter 2019 collection, and when the iconic look was revisited at Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Love Parade event last November.
Other memorable velvet suits have been seen recently on the red carpet on Dakota Johnson, Camila Morrone, and more. Below, some celebrity inspiration to spark your holiday party circuit dressing this year.
Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger
Gigi Hadid wore a Tommy Hilfiger royal blue velvet pantsuit to the 2022 WWD Honors. Hadid teamed her long double-breasted blazer and matching wide-leg pants with white pumps, a chestnut croc Aspinal London Madison handbag, and layered diamond tennis necklaces.
Camila Morrone in Burberry
Camila Morrone stepped out in a classic black velvet suit from Burberry’s Fall/Winter 2022 ready-to-wear collection for the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s Albie Awards, teamed with jewels from Chopard’s Ice Cube High Jewelry Collection.
Dakota Johnson in Saint Laurent
Styled by Kate Young, Dakota Johnson attended The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon rocking a dapper black velvet Saint Laurent suit and tie and Jimmy Choo heels.
Olivia Wilde in Alberta Ferretti
Olivia Wilde addressed the crowd at the 2022 CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas wearing a sleek midnight blue velvet Alberta Ferretti pantsuit before she was unexpectedly served custody papers on stage.
Anderson Paak and Bruno Mars in Gucci
With Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars making their AMAs debut as Silk Sonic, the duo opened the show in matching bright ruby-toned velvet Gucci three-piece suits. The two put a retro rockstar spin on the ensembles, with statement sunnies and opened button-downs.
Sandra Bullock in Temperley London
Sandra Bullock appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote her Netflix film The Unforgivable in 2021 donning Temperley London’s “Clove Velvet” jacket and wide-leg trousers. As Bullock sat down with the talk show host, she declared, “I look like Prince. And I’m okay with that.”
Halle Berry in Veronica Beard
While promoting the release of her film Bruised, Halle Berry rocked a plethora of pantsuits throughout her press tour, including two rich, floral velvet variations. She teamed one (a Veronica Beard velvet suit) with a plunging intersecting lace-up top underneath.
Halle Berry in Alex Perry
Styled by Lindsay Flores, Berry stepped out in another multicolor floral velvet pantsuit at Live with Kelly and Ryan, this time by Alex Perry with a black Fleur du Mal sheer corset bustier beneath her blazer and black platform peep-toe heels.
Taylor Swift in Etro
During Taylor Swift’s re-release of her 2012 album Red, the pop star attended the New York City premiere for her self-directed feature All Too Well: The Short Film starring Sadie Sink, Dylan O’Brian, and Swift herself. She wore a deep eggplant, double-breasted velvet suit by Etro with Alexandre Birman stiletto booties. The look was topped with dainty Melinda Maria jewelry and Swift’s wispy updo, evoking an elegant and effortless aesthetic.
Andrew Garfield in Paul Smith
While promoting his film Tick, Tick…Boom!, Andrew Garfield stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York City wearing a rich burnt orange velvet Paul Smith suit styled by Warren Alfie Baker. Opting for a navy sweater underneath his jacket, the actor donned black patent leather dress shoes and a Montblanc watch to finish off the look.
Tom Holland in Hugo Boss
Styled by his girlfriend Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach, the Spider-Man star looked ridiculously dapper at the 2021 GQ Men of the Year party in L.A. Sporting a rust colored velvet Hugo Boss suit with contrasting black peak lapels and a coordinating black bow-tie, Holland topped off his look with cool David Beckham shades, Cartier arm candy, and Dsquared2 boots.
Jared Leto in Gucci
Long-time brand ambassador and close friend of the fashion house, Jared Leto appropriately dressed in the designs of his pal, Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele. The multi-hyphenate performer donned two chic velvet suits to premieres for his film, House of Gucci. Opting for a teal stunner to the film’s UK event and a mustard ensemble in New York, Leto never fails to turn heads in the brand.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Gucci
Gwyneth Paltrow sent the fashion community into a frenzy when she revisited her iconic Gucci by Tom Ford look from the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards at Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Love Parade event.
