Long velvet skirt embroidered with leaves

A maxi skirt in supple velvet, embroidered with beaded leaves, to wear from the office to a winter dinner.

This long skirt plays on two registers: the depth of the velvet and the fineness of the embroidery. Leaf and flower motifs, lifted with small beads and sequins, are scattered over the whole surface. From a distance, the skirt reads as plain. Up close, the light catches the relief.

The cut

A fully elasticated high waist, full and flared. A horizontal seam at mid-thigh introduces gathers that give a godet volume to the bottom of the skirt. The drape of the velvet is heavy enough for the movement to follow your walk without puffing out. Total length of 88 cm, that is a maxi stopping above the ankle on most figures.

The fabric

Medium-weight velvet, soft to the touch and stretchy. Dense enough for autumn and winter, supple enough not to stiffen the silhouette. The embroidery is laid flat on the fabric and does not scratch as you wear it.

How to wear it

• With a fine ribbed jumper tucked into the waistband to define the waist.
• With low-heeled ankle boots: the length falls just right.
• Daytime version: loafers, a white shirt, a straight coat.
• Evening version: a fitted black top and court shoes — the embroidery is jewellery enough.

Two colourways

The black, where the embroidery shows through relief more than through contrast. The coffee brown, warmer, which goes well with camel, burgundy and ecru.

Key points

• Supple velvet with a heavy drape, fluid movement as you walk
• Beaded leaf embroidery spread over the whole skirt
• Fully elasticated waistband, from 62 to 80 cm waist measurement
• Maxi length of 88 cm, works with ankle boots and loafers
• Godet volume obtained by gathers at mid-thigh
• Two deep colourways: black and coffee brown

Fabric and care

Composition: Supple velvet look, of medium weight and stretchy. Embroidery of leaf and flower motifs lifted with beads and sequins. Waistband elasticated all the way round.

Care: Wash in cold water, at low temperature, preferably inside out to protect the embroidery. No bleach. Iron at low temperature, on the reverse, without dwelling on the embroidered areas. Dry hung on a hanger, or preferably flat to avoid pulling on the waistband.

Size

One size. Elasticated waistband adjusting from a waist measurement of 62 to 80 cm. Total length: 88 cm. As the cut is full, only the waist determines the drape. Allow a measurement tolerance of 1 to 3 cm, inherent to velvet pieces. If you are over 1.72 m, the skirt will fall at mid-calf rather than at the ankle.

Good to know

• One size — will it really fit me? The waistband is elasticated all the way round and stretches from 62 to 80 cm. The bottom is full and therefore never restrictive. Beyond an 80 cm waist, however, the elastic would be too stretched and the skirt would ride up.
• Do the beads and sequins survive washing? The embroidery is fixed to the fabric, but they remain applied elements. Wash cold, inside out, and avoid the tumble dryer: it is heat and rubbing that weaken this kind of finish.
• Isn't velvet too dressy for the daytime? The matte velvet and the deep colourways stay sober. With a plain jumper and loafers, the skirt works day to day without difficulty. It is the accessories that tip it towards the evening.