How to style a velvet skirt to wear to a spring wedding?

March 1, 2022 6:33 PM

I will be attending a wedding that was originally planned for the winter, but has been rescheduled to next month. I ordered a burgundy velvet skirt to wear to the event before it was rescheduled. Can I style this wintery skirt for a spring wedding?

I had planned to wear the skirt with a black, long sleeved, princess-seam, mock-neck top, black tights, and black pumps, but that feels too visually heavy for spring. I don't want to feel like I'm bringing winter holiday vibes to a spring wedding party.

What can I pair with this skirt to make it feel more appropriate to spring?

Some possibly important details:
- I ordered the skirt to be mid-calf length, so mine is a little shorter than the picture shows
- I am very pale
- I have a just-into-plus-sizes hour-glass figure
- It's not going to be warm where I live by April, so I would like to still have sleeves

posted by burntflowers to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

Lighter weight pink shirt with sleeves or a print/floral blouse would look great, add in appropriate pink ish shoes for the formality and weather and you’re gtg! Examples:

Fun pink
Just one print example
posted by warriorqueen at 6:49 PM on March 1, 2022

I think that skirt being burnout velvet helps a lot here! It's not so heavy as regular velvet.

I would probably wear a white/cream/lighter colored top would be great. I don't necessarily have examples in mind, but I almost feel like what you were planning to wear in black, except in a lighter color (or fabric). Or I think a darker/black top with 3/4 sleeves could work, too. It would be warm enough but still looks/feels lighter.

I don't know what kind of black tights you were planning, but I think you could get away with lighter patterned black tights or maybe even some kind of lacey fishnets (both links are just examples).

I would definitely do a lighter colored shoe, though, than black, unless you already have black shoes you like. However, I think if you could find some t-strap heels with some cutouts (not necessarily these in black but that idea) would work out nicely.

(If I was wearing a lighter colored top & a red skirt, I'd even ponder wearing a pair of blue/navy shoes, but I get that may not work for you/your budget/etc. And yes, wearing black tights and blue/navy shoes is fine and actually really cool-looking, in my opinion.)

I don't know where this wedding if it's somewhere where April is cooler, you may be able to get away with the original top & just lighten up the tights/shoes (or the other way around, depending on what you already have).
posted by edencosmic at 7:09 PM on March 1, 2022

A floral top with a white background and hints of red would go great with that skirt!
posted by mekily at 7:53 PM on March 1, 2022

Whatever top I chose, I'd probably want to keep it really simple and go for a more striking accent accessory that pulls together all the elements: something for your hair, or a scarf, or a belt.

For the top I'd choose a color and fabric that feels "light" and airy to balance out the skirt. Such as a silk top in cream, or maybe a soft metallic sheen - perhaps bronze, gold, or silver, or something with a really subtle pattern? If going with a tank-style top without sleeves you can pair it with a shawl or fitted jacket top.

Fabrics with textures such as lace and eyelets also lend themselves a Spring feel and work well with sleeves. A gauzy long sleeve wrap top could be really nice.
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 8:10 PM on March 1, 2022

I'm extremely pale, too, and since the goal is to look more "spring-y," I'd like to put in a plug for flesh-toned fishnets. I have several pairs, and I've worn them spring and fall for years. They are supercomfortable, and they more or less read like you have really amazing skintone until you get up close, and realize they're textured too. I've only owned black fishnets once or twice, and recall them being tight. I have no particular flesh-toned fishnets to recommend, but I have never had the experience of them being anything but comfortable.
posted by Violet Blue at 8:16 PM on March 1, 2022

I’m surprised by multiple comments suggesting cream tops. In my circles this is frowned on at weddings, not quite as bad as a white dress but in photos where your entire body isn’t pictured/where you are in the background standing with others you will stand out as a woman wearing white.

I think you could still wear a black top, just something gauzy and lightweight. Nude tights or sheer black ones, or bare legs and peep-toe shoes depending on weather. Especially if it’s an evening wedding reception.
posted by amaire at 8:34 PM on March 1, 2022

I think a crepe shell or, depending on how chilly it will be, a thin cashmere or light knit will work just fine, and you have a lot of color options: pink/blush, a golden yellow, camel, gray. (I would not ever ever ever wear white/cream to another person's wedding.) Because of the silver grommets on the belt, you could do silver shoes.
posted by Charity Garfein at 11:26 PM on March 1, 2022

My first thought was a top in peach or light blue. Silver would work, too. Maybe silver tights.
posted by Comet Bug at 11:35 PM on March 1, 2022

Floral sweater set with pinks, greens, mauves, and ivory.
posted by carmicha at 11:42 PM on March 1, 2022

I looked up "burgundy skirt" on Pinterest and the shirt colours included: a variety of pinks, black, taupe, wheat, bright yellow, navy and white stripes, grey, floral with a burgundy flower (and whites and cream). So I think Pinterest might give you some ideas. I wouldn't have thought the bright yellow, but it looks great.
posted by b33j at 1:18 AM on March 2, 2022

Think of the colors of sweet peas, which can range from deep to pale and make your outfit tonal - purple skirt with pink or pale blue. Tan fishnets, as another commenter says, are great - so are seamed tan nylons. If you hate being cold, like I do, try a voluminous shawl in another tonal color. Avoid black shoes.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 4:22 AM on March 2, 2022

Ballet pink is universally flattering, pops against burgundy, is spring-appropriate, and won't be inappropriate for a wedding like a white or cream top.
posted by champers at 5:00 AM on March 2, 2022

Definitely ballet pink shoes and silky ballet pink top, ideal if you can find a top that's ballet pink patterned with burgundy flowers (should be possible). If you have hair of the sort that takes an accessory, go for burgundy there. A camel coat and you're good to go. Agree on tan toned fishnets or seamed tan nylons depending on your vibe.
posted by branca at 6:12 AM on March 2, 2022

I'd go for a pastel top (light yellow, peach, pink, baby blue, maybe lilac) and then have tights in the same color.
posted by coffeecat at 8:26 AM on March 2, 2022

Ivory lace "tee" or ivory satin wrap blouse waist length and an ivory underskirt.
posted by Elsie at 9:04 AM on March 2, 2022

Peach or very pale pink, with beige heels. Maybe something with an interesting neckline like a cowl neck to balance out the fullness of the skirt, or use a belt that is brown rather than the velvet.
posted by honeybee413 at 10:23 AM on March 2, 2022

Red/burgundy calls for a lighter version of the same color, or a neutral (white or black, shades of grey, or the brown-grey versions of beige/greige, sand/taupe, cool brown/mushroom, etc.) that will let the strong color dominate.
You are right -- black would be the easiest pairing with the burgundy velvet skirt. But a very pale or very dark red with the same undertones will work for the top, tights and footwear.

Peach or soft pink can be more forgiving than a bright or dark red near the face.
If pale colors near your face are not your preference, try a darker red or patterned burgundy fabric for the top.
A neckline that moves the red away from the jawline will soften the reflected color. Lace or mesh fabric will soften the effect. I am not a fan of obligatory scarves.
The color can be trickier because the burgundy velvet may have undertones of purple or rust. Check by comparing the skirt with swatches of purple-red and rust-red in sunlight.
Nude/beige tights and pumps would work.
posted by TrishaU at 6:31 PM on March 2, 2022