Look a Billion Dollars in the Velvet Jacket

Wearing a velvet blazer can make you feel like a million dollars – or a billion dollars with the brand Billionaire Italian Couture. Here they show you don’t have to stick to plain velvet:

Left model:
Black velvet jacket hammered with astrakhan texture and satin lapels. Price £1530
Worn here with black silk shirt £320 and embroidered faded jeans £550
That belt peeping out is £1190 and is made of ivory fish

Right model:
Black velvet jacket embossed in a crocodile skin design. Price £1290
Worn here with black jacquard cotton shirt with jewel buttons Price £300, faded embroidered jeans £490, pochette £50 and a £15,000 Italian watch made in pink gold with black and white real diamonds.

If you want to really put on the glitz then go for this embroidered velvet jacket with sequins £1530. More bling with the Swarovski crystal buttoned white shirt in plyed cotton at £520. Paired with mohair trousers £450, that ivory fish belt £1190 and leather patent dress shoes to reflect the light from all those sequins £530

Available from Billionaire Couture at 9 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9LE. Tel:02072450096.  www.billionairecouture.com

Images provided by Dee Vesali PR 

The Velvet Blazer in Dapper Monochrome

For formal occasions you have the dinner jacket, but what about those other Christmas gatherings?

Try the velvet blazer – this looks cool and elegant with dress pants and a crisp white shirt, but can also look hot and stylish worn with jeans or chinos.

Velvet is a luxurious fabric originally made from silk, worn by the rich elite and associated with royalty. But now velvet can be made with more affordable fabrics such as cotton and rayon.  Cotton velvet has a softer sheen and is more durable so great for the velvet blazer.

Charles Tyrwhitt two button jacket is 100% cotton with peak lapels, natural corozo working buttons and fully lined.  Promotional price of £159 (was £320)

Available at Charles Tyrwhitt stores and online www.ctshirts.co.uk

The jacket is worn with the purple & blue stripe St James casual semi fitted cotton shirt and dress trousers. Shirt price: Was £80 now a promotional price of £29.95 

Like life, not everything is black and white for monochrome.  There is the grey area for a softer look. Great for those of you who find black too harsh against the skin or just too dramatic.

The Silver velvet jacket from Austin Reed  AR Cut range gives an understated smooth and sophisticated look.

Fabric: 100% fine Italian cotton, it features one button fastening, notch lapel and slanted flap pockets.

Price £375 Available from www.austinreed.co.uk

Create a more casual look with grey jeans or chinos and t-shirt.

Keep monochrome with a black and white or grey printed tee such as Energie Dabber T shirt.

 Price £34. Available from Energie store 31 Great Marlborough Street, just off Carnaby Street, London or online www.energie.it

Add a Boltz tag pendant in slate and silver from Storm watches. Price £69.99 Available from www.stormwatches.com

F & F at Tesco - Menswear Christmas Collection

The F&F menswear collection for Christmas centres around sharp tailoring:

Suit jacket £39, suit trousers £21, shirt and skinny tie set £8 and shoes £16

And when it's cold outside there is the coat at £59 and checked scarf at £7

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a tux. This tuxedo jacket is £39, trousers £21, shirt and skinny tie set £8 and shoes £16. Leaves money over for the bubbly.
Just in case you're interested the dress is £18, bag £8 and necklace £15 - would make a great Christmas present.

.
And if you wanted to go more opulent there is always the plush velvet blazer at £49, trousers £21, shirt and bow tie set £15 and shoes £16.
The dress is £40 by Amys of Paris (available through Tesco online) and bracelet £10

For a more informal look but still want to make an impact, go for a pair of slim fit jeans £12.50,  and team with corduroy blazer £40, checked shirt by Aertex £30 (available trhough Tesco online), belt £10 and shoes £16. The bow tie is part of a shirt set for £15.
Available through www.tesco.com/clothing