Velvet Jackets for Women: The Edit

A velvet jacket is the easiest way to make a plain outfit feel like an evening one, and it adds warmth without a heavy coat. The eight here are all designed by Ramola Bachchan and finished by hand. They are grouped by the thread used on them: gold for festive dressing, silver and white for a quieter look, and two in colour and print.

Gold embroidery, for festive evenings

Three of these jackets carry gold or antique-gold thread on a deep-coloured velvet. They are the dressiest of the set, made for dinners, weddings and the winter party season, and they all close with buttons or snaps so you can wear them done up or open.

The black paisley jacket is silk velvet, which drapes more softly than heavier velvet. A hand-embroidered paisley runs down each sleeve and the placket is edged in gold. Snap buttons let you close it partway at the waist, or leave it open over a flowing dress.

The maroon twin golden roses jacket is micro velvet with two gold roses in aari work at the hip and gold buttons down the front. Buttoned, it has a tailored evening line. Worn open over a plain dress, the roses become the focus.

The maroon front floral jacket is silk velvet with a longer spray of aari florals down the front and a V-neck. It sits closer to a wrap than a coat, so wear it closed over a camisole or open over a slip dress.

Silver and white thread, for a quieter look

These three use pale thread on dark velvet. The contrast is cooler than gold, and silver or pearl jewellery suits them best.

On the bottle green jacket, a swan is hand embellished in silver at the front, so it catches the light rather than lying flat. A fitted black or ivory top underneath lets the motif read clearly.

The black abstract motif jacket has white embroidery spilling down one side of the front. Black keeps the embroidery easy to read, and the jacket works over daywear trousers as well as over an evening dress.

The deodar jacket is named for the Himalayan cedar. Its embroidery runs in white bands with touches of blue down the front, and it is lined, which gives it more body than an unlined velvet layer. A zip and snap front and snap-button cuffs make it the most practical jacket here, and it looks just as right over jeans as over a black dress.

Colour and print

The last two are the most playful. Wear them over something plain and let the jacket do the work.

The bottle green tulip jacket has pink hand-embroidered florals near the hem, a crew neck, two front pockets and snap-button cuffs. It is relaxed enough to throw over an evening blouse when the room gets cold.

The grey python jacket is printed silk velvet, lined, with a crew neck and a zip and snap front. Animal print reads best as the only statement, so pair it with black trousers or a black dress and keep the jewellery minimal.

All eight are made to order in sizes XS to 8XL, or to your own measurements, and shipped worldwide. See every velvet piece in our velvet collection. For how to wear and care for velvet, read our guides to velvet outfits for winter and velvet care.