The unmistakable frost in the air and the fact it gets dark at 4pm may herald the arrival of winter months, but who says this season's wardrobe has to be all bulk and no brilliance? Although a jacket might be something you prefer to reach for in the slightly warmer months, nothing quite lifts a dreary day like a statement jacket. Marks & Spencer always hits the mark when it comes to outerwear, whether it's the viral fur coat or bouclé jacket that's a dead ringer for Meghan Markle's. And now, the high street hero has introduced another sartorial masterpiece, the Velvet Embroidered Collarless Cropped Jacket.
This year we've seen the fashion pack embrace suede like no other, gracing boots, jackets, bags in all its soft, buttery glory. However, there's another material that's waiting to become the fabric du jour - velvet. Opulent and undeniably festive, velvet offers a textural richness that simply can't be rivalled with when it comes to cold weather dressing. The Velvet Cropped Jacket plays a key role in said transition, and proves that velvet isn't just reserved for partywear.
Shop: The M&S Velvet Cropped Jacket
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
The velvet jacket is from the Per Una collection and features intricate silver embroidery and micro beads to create an almost celestial design. Completed with scalloping for an edge-to-edge design, this jacket can be easily dressed up or down.
The beauty of this piece also lies in its remarkable styling potential, for everyday as well as festive soirées. For an evening look, throw the velvet jacket over a simple slip dress, or with tailored trousers and a silk blouse. For the day, as layering has become somewhat a non-negotiable, use the celestial-inspired jacket as a standout piece and pair with a roll neck jumper, high-waisted jeans and pointed-toe boots - even throw a longline coat over the top on those extra cold days.
Playful, boho and unapologetically great, the jacket straddles the line between practicality and panache and the soft velvet, sparkling embroidery and cropped cut make it more than just a functional layer, but a bona fide mood booster.
Main image credits: Instagram/@kasiachin, @marksandspencer_zarah
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia. Gemma specialises in all things clothing and enjoys outfit planning (especially for holidays), scrolling social media for the next trend and shopping (probably for a new coat).