4
Left: Marco de Vincenzo, Right: Carven

Velvet. The very word itself conjures slinky connotations: of David Lynch films (Blue Velvet, anyone?), of aristocracies of yesteryears, and of nice, cold seasons of far-off countries.

For Fall 2016, the plush fabric was on practically every runway (Dries, Prada, Fendi, Haider Ackermann, Valentino, the list goes on) – and we must admit, we are finding it very hard to resist. As sumptuous as velvet is, it’s not exactly summer-friendly – after all, it’s typically worn during the cooler months. Yet there may be alternative ways of wearing the season’s hottest trend – here, we show you how:

#1: Wear it as an accent piece

Ilaria Urbinati, stylist to Lizzy Caplan, dressed the American actress in a sophisticated Roland Mouret dress with a burgundy velvet bodice. Rather than a full-blown effect (see Alexa Chung in that tiger-print Roberto Cavalli suit), this ensures that all attention goes straight to the area highlighted – a subtle, knowing nod to the trend.

#2: Go wild with accessories

Bags, shoes, hats – basically whatever you can think of. If you aren’t comfortable donning velvet, start small with accessories and work your way up; they offer a fun way to get with the trend without sweating bullets.

3
Left: Prada, Right: Dolce & Gabbana, both brands opting for a dash of whimsy to up the fun factor
5
Left: Rochas, Right: Haider Ackermann

#3: Take the easy, breezy route

Opt for loose proportions (think culottes and languid dresses) to maximize ventilation, as seen here with tastemaker Yoyo Cao, who chose to pair hers with a tee.

1
Left: Stella McCartney, Right: Valentino

Like this? Get style tips on dressing for hot weather from local style mavens, streetstyle looks for great layering inspiration and how to accessorise with a tee shirt.