Every Cool Way to Wear Your Velvet Dresses After the Holidays

Welcome to 2018, friends! The holidays are over, which usually incites a slump in all facets of our lives. (Unless you're one of those wildly ambitious goal-setters who transforms at the start of each new year—in which case, we envy your drive.) So if you're feeling a little out of sorts, don't fret. After all, those few weeks between January 1 and mid-February can feel like one big sartorial rut.

But before you bury those festive party dresses of yours, give them another glance. Fashion girls everywhere are proving that party dresses (especially velvet dresses) can be the centerpiece for looks with a decidedly streetwear spin to them. It's all about marrying the luxe piece with cool sneakers, graphic T-shirts, and high-shine leather. Create an intriguing dichotomy by wearing a pretty frock with thick socks and pool slides (yes, we went there) or an oversize flannel (don't knock it until you've tried it).

Keep reading to see how to revitalize your velvet dresses, and then shop our favorite picks below.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Over a graphic sweatshirt, this holiday dress gets a streetwear-approved post-holiday revival.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

A case study in balance: Match a ruffled dress with distressed, fringed denim.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Pool slides and socks can make any dress feel everyday-appropriate. In other words, we're pretty on board with the geek-chic combo.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Tie your sneakers like a true fashion girl by wrapping them around your ankle a few times, creating a ballerina-inspired effect.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Give your velvet dress a slick edge with the addition of this of-the-moment topper: a vinyl trench coat.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

The addition of white boots makes this velvet gown feel modern.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Try wearing an oversize flannel over a dress for grungy look.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Toughen up your velvet dresses by pairing them with leather staples like a moto jacket and ankle boots. 

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Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.