Thoughts about burnout velvet/devore? - YouLookFab Forum

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Thoughts about burnout velvet/devore?

SarahD8

Veteran

I own one item in burnout velvet (photo 1) -- a top with black floral burnout pattern on the front and solid black silk sleeves/back.

I like it in theory, but every time I put it on I think: is this dated?

And yet, I notice I am really drawn to burnout velvet garments when I see them while browsing.

(I realize this is a rather dressy material and my casual lifestyle doesn't involve too many dressy occasions. But I've always worn the top I own dressed down, with jeans. )

Yes, yes, we are in a do your own thing era of dressing and you can wear pretty much whatever if you wear it with confidence and authenticity.

And there are plenty of things that aren't particularly trendy that I wear without a second thought. Yet I have trouble mustering that confidence in the case of this material. I'm not sure why!

So I thought I'd put it to the forum: *is* burnout velvet dated? In what circumstances or particulars? What might be a current or interesting way to wear this material? I think some kind of juxtaposition but I'm not sure what.

Please help me get my brain juices flowing here. I'm intrigued to hear your thoughts.

Other photos are pics of various burnout velvet items from Pinterest. They are NOT items I own or am considering. Purely for visual inspiration.

Thanks for any thoughts you care to share!

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32 replies

Latest reply was from SarahD8

kellygirl

Veteran

Interesting and I can relate. I have a few dresses in this fabric that I really like but feel like they have to be paired with "tougher" pieces to work for me--usually flat boots and a denim jacket. I love the boho/arty dusters you posted - Jenn wears them so well. I feel like they would look great with jeans and stompy boots. You top seems like a slam dunk with jeans too--or a pleather pleated/straight skirt or pants. It looks lovely!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I love the top and in fact all your pics. You already know I’m not a good person to ask if something is dated because I don’t care- and also can’t tell, often.
I think I go “off” my clothes pretty rarely, but if I do and it has been previously loved, like my “Kiwi” (not really, just looks like the bird’s feathers) vest/gilet, I just keep the item because it will come around again or I will fall back in love with it. I’m not fickle with my liking for my clothes.

Bijou

Veteran

I like velvet and burnout velvet, it may be trendy from time to time, but that does not impact my decision to wear it.

Dee

Veteran

With all the minimal, quiet luxury, drapey, oversized stuff that's been going on recently perhaps thats why you're not wanting to wear this top. This top has more of a boho vibe to it, its delicately ornate and that maybe why you feel it's not on trend.
So the question might be do you identify with what's currently being offered at retail? Or does this top suit your style better? You're keeping it for a reason. I'd just try and incorporate it with some of the items you do feel are on trend like maybe the looser fit jeans, or wide drapey trousers.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like burnout velvet, all velvet in fact. I don’t think it’s trendy, but I wear it in any case. I have one burnout velvet skirt, which I don’t wear ATM because it’s midi length and I have a strong preference for midaxi. But I am keeping it for now because preferences change.

When I look at your top I wonder if it’s like my skirt. Maybe it’s not the fabric itself but the shape, pattern or style of the top that’s not your current preference.

If you want to salvage it, I would try to think outside the square. Not just what you wear with the top but how you might alter the look of the top itself to make it feel more you and current.

A few thoughts:
Remove the sleeves and wear it as a vest layered over a white shirt, allow the collar of the shirt to show above the velvet; or
Cover the cuffs with plain black velvet or silver or gold cuffs, and wear over a black sleeveless turtleneck for a sharper more blocked effect; or
Wear a black waistcoat over it.

In terms of pairing, I think it could look great pattern mixed with pinstripe black pants or a long black jacket for a dark romantic look.

Olive Green

Veteran

Well, I think the style of the top is a bit dated. The fabric is not.

LaPed

Veteran

Well, if you really want to think in terms of currency/trendiness, you can justify it as a 90s throwback! Also Dark Romance, no? If it’s not trending yet, it should be. This sort of top, especially paired with stompy boots or Converse, maybe a denim skirt, has a strong grunge flavor to me. (I know I said the same thing about your plaid shirt outfit! Maybe there’s a regional PNW/Seattle influence at play? )

Also — I LOVE Brooklyn’s suggestions.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I too really like Brooklyn s suggestions.l have a Devore shirt that l ve had for years.l hardly ever wear it because it’s dressy and not paticularly easy are but whether or not it’s trendy wouldn’t stop me from wearing it. I think Devore velvet is going to have a moment this year as there is a trend for see through fabrics apparently for those of us that follow these things!

Joy

Veteran

I also have a small velvet capsule added last year found on sale at a consignment shop. I wear it (none is burnout) for
the winter warmth. I love Brooklyn's suggestions of pairing it with denim and sneakers. Black velvet is too harsh next to my face. My small capsule is burgundy, a color otherwise banned from the closet as too cold. I did pick up one green velvet shirt which I wear with denim. Is burn out velvet not stylish. I have never cared for it, so suspect it is. I have seen it mostly as scarves and not in colors I wear. I do not feel l am a fair judge as I have never worn it, but would buy more regular velvet for winter. I like the touch of dressiness it adds especially jackets that are not black.

Helena

Veteran

I think I agree with olive green ... The fabric is not dated but the style/cut is not overly current, so perhaps that's what's feeling off. I do agree with comments that the styling would make the difference ... In a dark romance look as LaPed mentioned or juxtaposed with tougher or Uber casual elements as Kelly says, would give it a 2023 vibe.

What I've discovered for myself is that when something feels off to me, it's usually that my instincts are correct even if my knowledge can't quite articulate why. I like the suggestion of tucking it away until it speaks to you again!

Star

Veteran

FWIW I am also off my burnout velvet top. I don't really know why. I saw myself in a photo wearing it and I don't think it matches where my style is going now which is more classic. It is in the holding zone for now.

Roberta

Veteran

I really hope it isn't dated, because my go-to little black dress is burnout velvet. It has a rather sharp geometric pattern, so it isn't as boho has some garments, so perhaps that makes a difference? At any rate, I love the way this material gives visual texture without being heavy. I will continue to wear it nonetheless, as Jenni says. If it still fits the next time I try it on.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like velvet! I have two pairs of velvet pants

Burnout has a strong '90s connotation to me. Bohemian, and works as well in the Dark Romance trend. Not dated. The fabric is on trend!

As for the style - I'd need to see the top on to help you figure out why you don't reach for it.

cat2

Veteran

I have a burnout dress I still wear. It can go full on early Stevie Nicks if I am not careful with the styling. But I think you have gotten some good ideas for styling your piece.

kkards

Veteran

I don’t know why but I thought I bet this would look great with denim shorts. Lol seasonally confused. Of you could go full on 90s and wear black tights under the shorts (which I’m starting to see a lot of).

Bonnie

Veteran

The burnout top looks perfect for your style. I like Kelli's idea of wearing it with denim.

kellygirl

Veteran

I'm laughing at the Stevie Nicks reference. I think that's one of the reasons I like the fabric so much - it was part of my youth!

SarahD8

Veteran

kellygirl, ooh I like the idea of burnout velvet with p/leather -- a texture contrast that involves something tough rather than dressy (as satin for example would be). But I don't own any p/leather garments and didn't have any plans to obtain any (just not really my thing) so hmm, probably best not to buy something just to try to make this dubious piece work.

Jenni NZ yeah, I am the same -- if I like something, I usually don't care if something is trendy or not. Which is why the fact that I do seem to care in this case has me a bit befuddled!

Bijou thank you for the vote of confidence!

Dee these are good questions. I actually am not really into the whole quiet luxury thing for myself and no, I don't particularly identify with what's on offer at retail. Interestingly a thing I have been keen to play with (a "microtrend," in the sense of a trend that only exists in my brain lol) is boho tops paired with textured/vintagey cardigans. Maybe the key is to try to fold this piece into a thing I am interested in doing anyway -- treat it like one of the "boho tops" I'm wanting to play with. (Mentally I had not previously categorized this top in this way.)

Brooklyn these are great suggestions. Interesting re thinking about the details of this piece. A couple things that I know bug me a bit about it: it's sort of a desaturated "off black" and I think part of me is wishing that it were black-black. Also I really don't fancy mixed media/mixed print garments, so the blocks of different fabrics here aren't my preference. So that suggests, ok, maybe this isn't the burnout velvet garment for me. But now I am back to the sense that I am drawn to this material *in general,* but also feel iffy about it in general.

More in a moment!

SarahD8

Veteran

Olive green (and also Helena) I would love to know more about what you see as dated about the style of the top. I actually love the cut -- I have a strong preference for scoop necklines, and it's rare to find them in woven, collarless garments -- so I tend to snap them up when I see them.

La Ped "if it's not trending yet, it should be" is actually a great motto/attitude. Thank you for this!

Cardiff girl, ah, the sheer/see through trend! Yes, I like that framing.

Joy your velvet capsule sounds yummy!

Helena, I agree -- when in doubt, sit it out is usually a good strategy. What's baffling to me is that I feel simultaneously drawn to this material (more generally, not specifically about this top) and dubious about it. Confusing!

Star, interesting that you are feeling similar. Maybe it's not just me.

Roberta, oh that's a pretty piece! I hope you get to wear your dress soon. Yes, I definitely think the texture is a big part of what's drawing me to the material.

Angie, I like velvet too! I have a number of velvet garments that I wear with confidence -- it is just the burnout version that I am feeling shaky about for some reason. Thank you for being willing to help troubleshoot, I will try to do an outfit lab later this week!

cat2 good to know you are a burnout velvet fan too. I take your point about Stevie Nicks (and am chuckling along with kellygirl)! Love her style, but it's not me. When I go luxe boho, it needs to be more of the Bloomsbury variety. Which, hmmm. How would Virginia Woolf style this top?

kkards you and LaPed are determined to make me go full 90s! Ha, I love it. Actually...I kind of dig the black tights and wool shorts look. Definitely something to think about...

Thank you Bonnie for the vote of confidence!

Thank you all, you have helped get my wheels turning!

Indigoprint

Veteran

My thoughts are if one is seeing burn- out garments online they must be trending. The examples shown indicate a vast variety of styles. How can any of them be dated?
It is a lovely top. Wear it confidently and know you were astitute enough to appreciate a classic when you found it!

unfrumped

Veteran

I think it’s possible to feel something - especially one specific item-
is just not your fit or style or color anymore, not necessarily that you are thinking about whether it is current.

I have had some burnout velvet items in the past but not for a long time. The sheer parts don’t work for me. I think in part is the larger size of the “ pattern” created, as it’s too busy for me. Whereas I like lace overlay fabrics, again if smaller lace pattern effects. For me also the fabrics ( or what I’ve encountered) are not luxe enough for really dressy or special occasions, but neither does it fit into whatever kinds of juxtaposition I do for casual / smart casual. Also it is the more boho stylings that aren’t as good for me. But that’s just me.

I will say I’m more drawn to neutrals and near- neutrals in this fabric.

Anyway that’s not to discourage you from wearing, but just noting that if one if these issues is at play for you , it might guide you to what colors, designs and even articles of clothing WOULD work, if this particular top doesn’t.

Olive Green

Veteran

I do love a velvet, and have a couple of winter holiday items. A burnout scarf lasted for years, and really jazzed up an outfit.
I think at this age I am a bit wary of retro or ‘vintage’ stylings. If you wore it the first time, it might need to be a more updated style the second time around. That particular style reads 80’s Dallas tv show to me, and not in an ironic way. Perhaps only a personal foible. I see a lot of dated glitz in this area! With the helmet hair, even. It may read differently elsewhere.
However, a younger woman would have a very different eye for it, and wear it with a very different supporting act, and that would make a difference.

Anonymous

I like burnout velvet, trendy or not, and think it definitely fits the Dark Romance theme. These 2 pieces are my only ones ATM though, and I'm not wearing them right now. The jacket is getting repaired and I'm off scarves. I am preferring denser/more intricate patterns though, so not sure about the jacket.

Your blouse I'd wear with jeans or my silky cargos if I'd want to dress it down.

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April

Veteran

Velvet is one of those things I am pretty much always into

I have done my own burnout velvet (with an iron and a rubber stamp https://www.instructables.com/.....usehold-I/) and then painted the burnouts. Very beautiful for a scarf, shawl, pillow...

Indigoprint

Veteran

April, how fun. Thanks for sharing the link!

SarahD8

Veteran

Indigoprint, very good point! Although by "online" I mostly mean Pinterest and Ebay, so no guarantee of currency there...

unfrumped that's really good advice. I think I'll do a little playing around with this piece and try to identify whether it's the particularities of this top or the material in general that I'm having mixed feelings about.

Olive Green, thanks for coming back and responding to my query! I have to admit I definitely didn't have Dallas TV show on my bingo card as a reference for this one. Fascinating! I'm aware of the show but don't think I have ever seen it. Goes to show how much I *don't* know about visual references in fashion, huh?

suntiger, those are gorgeous pieces and so you -- timeless! I love those sunset colors. I do wonder again whether more of that saturated color is what I feel like my piece is missing.

April, oh wow! That looks like a super fun project, thanks for sharing!

Runcarla

Veteran

My first thought is bohemian. My second thought is evening wear.

lyn67

Veteran

I like Brooklyn's ideas for bossing that top for an actualised look of it-nevr thought of it that way!
Think I have a similar top-and haven't worn it for years but I keep it in my dressy-lite capsule-as it can be a great layering shell piece but I for myself wouldn't want to force it to be worn other than those special occasions- and it is upon your styling for making it feel more current-black or coated jeans/leather skirt for ex. That been said I think will always work well in a "dark romance" capsule.

Sloper

Veteran

A bit late to the conversation…

I don’t think burn-out velvet is dated. In fact almost a timeless fabric (like denim). I think of it in two ways - dressy/holiday and boho/Sundance catalog - and I like it either way!

I recently was looking at Etro’s Spring/Summer 2024 show and they style it with knits, leather and denim.
https://www.etro.com/us-en/fas.....n-show-ss/

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