"'Tis the season for velvet," says Elana Fishman at Racked. This drawcord backpack is perfect for hauling gear during the day, yet won't look out of place at a holiday party. It has a nylon liner and a side-access, zippered storage sleeve. Buy it at Amazon.
Designers love velvet because the "feel-good fabric" easily adds a bit of luxury to everyday outfits, says Grace Cook at The Financial Times. This square-necked velvet minidress is printed with a scene from Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale.Buy it at Net-a-Porter.com.
Velvet trousers are available in a wide variety of cuts this fall. Swap your skinny jeans for these high-waisted, wide-leg pants, which combine easy comfort with a 1970s silhouette and unique dye pattern. Buy it at Concrete + Water.
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For more affordable velvet, try a lace-trimmed cami in vivid lime. It looks great under a blazer or paired with skinny pants. If you're feeling particularly luxe, it can also serve as a plush pajama top. Buy it at River Island.
Men can rock velvet, too — in a designer sneaker that's "the ultimate balance of playboy and practical," says Samuel Hine at GQ. With jeans or a suit, Tom Ford's high-tops channel "just the right amount of decadence." Buy them at Bergdorf Goodman.
Editor's note: Every week The Week's editors survey product reviews and articles in websites, newspapers, and magazines, to find cool and useful new items we think you'll like. We're now making it easier to purchase these selections through affiliate partnerships with certain retailers. The Week may get a share of the revenue from these purchases.
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