Velvet Bags: The Evening Bag That Makes Winter Outfits, and How to Care for One

The short answer: a velvet bag is the quickest way to make a winter outfit look like evening, and red is the colour that does it best. Choose a small soft shape, carry it with black, and brush it after every wear. Our picks are the The Heart Bag Red Velvet and the The Drape Bag Red Velvet. Shop all evening and clutch bags and designer bags at Coveti, and the full ROTATE Birger Christensen collection.

Velvet absorbs light, which makes colours look deeper and richer than any other fabric. On a bag it adds texture to plain clothes. ROTATE Birger Christensen is the Copenhagen label Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars founded in 2018 with the Danish house Birger Christensen. It started with a handful of party dresses and still builds every collection around going out.

Which colour velvet bag?

• Red: the classic, festive and flattering against black, grey and brown.
• Black: the most versatile, subtle by day and elegant at night.
• Jewel tones: emerald and sapphire, for colour lovers.

Our picks: velvet bags

1. The Heart Bag Red Velvet

A structured heart in red velvet with double handles, a drawstring opening and adjustable side straps with buckles. It is lined in organic cotton, and it is the bag of the party season. Our guide to heart shaped bags has more on the shape.

2. The Drape Bag Red Velvet

A soft, elongated shoulder bag in the same red velvet, with a knot tied across the front and a single strap. See the knot bags guide for the full family.

3. Silk Velvet Strap Dress Dark Red

Not a bag, but the dress to carry one with: dark red silk velvet with slim straps.

What to wear with a red velvet bag

• All black: the simplest and the most striking.
• Grey and camel: knitwear and a wool coat, for day.
• Polka dots: red velvet with a black and white dot is a perfect combination, see how to wear a polka dot dress.

How to care for a velvet bag

Brush the pile in one direction with a soft brush after each use. Keep it away from rain, store it stuffed with tissue in its dust bag, and never press it flat. Steam, held at a distance, lifts crushed velvet. Take stains to a specialist.

Frequently asked questions

Are velvet bags in style?

Yes. Velvet bags return every winter, and this season the soft shapes in red velvet are everywhere.

Can you carry a velvet bag in the daytime?

Yes, with knitwear and denim. A red velvet bag with a grey sweater is one of the easiest winter looks.

What is the ROTATE velvet made of?

The red velvet on the Heart Bag and the Drape Bag is a viscose, polyamide and silk blend.

Does velvet get damaged in the rain?

Water can flatten and mark the pile. Let it dry naturally, then brush it. Avoid carrying velvet in heavy rain.

What size are the ROTATE velvet bags?

Both are small evening bags, one size, with room for a phone, cards and a lipstick.