Velvet Trousers for Women: 5 Ways to Wear Them This Winter

Velvet trousers for women are tailored trousers cut from velvet, a pile fabric in which short, dense fibres stand up from a woven base to catch the light and deepen the colour. They come in wide-leg, straight and flared shapes, and our guide to velvet suits for women shows how a matching jacket turns one pair into a full suit. ME+EM has two new wide-leg velvet trousers arriving on Coveti, in plum and in chocolate brown.

This guide covers the main velvet trouser shapes, how to judge the cloth in hand, the published facts behind the new ME+EM pairs and five ways to wear velvet trousers this winter, from a weekday desk to the Christmas party.

The main types of velvet trousers

Wide-leg velvet trousers. Fitted at the waist and full to the hem, they give the pile room to move and show its sheen. This is the shape Americans search for as velvet wide leg pants, and it is the shape ME+EM has just added. Our wide-leg trousers guide explains how to balance the volume with a closer top.

Straight-leg velvet trousers. A narrower, quieter line that sits neatly under a blazer at work and over an ankle boot at the weekend. Our straight-leg trousers for women guide covers the cut in more detail.

Flared and kick flare velvet trousers. Close through the thigh and opening below the knee, they lengthen the leg and suit a heeled boot. They read more seventies than the wide leg.

Cotton velvet and silk-blend velvet. Cotton velvet has a denser pile, a softer shine and more structure, so it holds a tailored line. Silk-blend velvet, usually silk with viscose, is lighter and more fluid with a brighter gleam, and it drapes more like an evening fabric.

What makes a good pair of velvet trousers

Pile density. Brush a hand against the nap. A good velvet springs back evenly, with no thin patches at the seams and no shiny crush marks at the knee.

A little stretch. A woven velvet has almost no give of its own. A small share of elastane keeps a fitted waist comfortable through a long dinner and helps the trousers recover after sitting.

Nap direction. The pile should run the same way on both legs and on the waistband, so the colour reads as one shade from every angle.

Weight at the hem. A wide leg needs enough body to fall straight instead of clinging. Full-length styles should graze the top of the shoe, and a choice of lengths makes that easier to get right.

Care. Most velvet is dry clean only. Hang the trousers by the waistband and steam them, never press them flat, to keep the pile standing.

The new ME+EM velvet wide-leg trousers

ME+EM is a British brand founded in London in 2009 by Clare Hornby, and the ME+EM collection on Coveti is built around tailoring that moves from day to evening. The two new trousers share one pattern and one cloth, so the only choice is the colour.

The ME+EM Velvet Wide-Leg Trouser in Intense Plum Purple is made from Italian cotton velvet with stretch. The main fabric is 70% cotton, 28% viscose and 2% elastane, with a 100% recycled polyester pocket lining. It has a mid rise, a tailored fit, a wide leg, full length, functional pockets and a centre-front hook-and-bar with zip. The house says the fitted waist and wide hem are designed to balance each other, and it offers the trouser in two different lengths.

The ME+EM Velvet Wide-Leg Trouser in Dark Chocolate Brown is the same trouser in a deep brown, a direct answer to the British brown velvet trousers search. Both colours come in UK sizes 4 to 18, both are made in Turkiye, both are dry clean only, and ME+EM states that both fit true to size. For more brown tailoring, see our brown trousers for women edit.

5 ways to wear velvet trousers

1. As a full velvet suit. The ME+EM Velvet Sharp Shoulder Blazer in Intense Plum Purple is cut from the same Italian cotton velvet blend as the plum trouser, with a sharp shoulder, a slim fit, a single-breasted front, patch pockets and cuff buttons. Worn together they make a complete plum suit. Our velvet blazers guide and our purple blazers guide show the jacket worn other ways.

2. As a tonal contrast. The ME+EM Velvet Sharp Shoulder Blazer in Barolo Red over the chocolate trouser puts two deep winter shades in one fabric. The match in pile keeps it looking intentional. Our burgundy trousers for women guide covers the red side of the palette.

3. At the office. Wear the brown pair with a fine merino knit, a crisp shirt and a loafer, and the velvet reads as texture instead of party wear. Our what to wear under a blazer guide has the layers that work under a jacket too.

4. At a party. Swap the knit for a silk camisole, add a heeled sandal and a small metallic bag. Our Christmas party outfits edit has more, and our guide to sparkly trousers is the next step up in shine.

5. With more ME+EM velvet. For nights when a dress suits better, the house also has the ME+EM Silk-Blend Velvet Fit + Flare Midi Dress in Double Espresso. Our ME+EM velvet guide collects the rest of the fabric story.

Comparison matrix: ME+EM velvet trousers and blazers

Velvet trousers around the world

UK. Velvet trousers is searched around 3,600 times a month on average, climbing to about 12,100 in November and December. Velvet trousers women adds around 2,900 and brown velvet trousers about 590. British demand peaks with the party season, and the brown pair answers the most specific of those searches.

US. Americans say pants: velvet pants women averages around 2,900 searches a month and reaches about 12,100 in November. Velvet wide leg pants adds around 720, which matches the shape of both new ME+EM trousers.

EU. In France the piece is a pantalon en velours and in Italy pantaloni di velluto. A deep plum velvet with a fine knit sits well with the restrained winter dressing of Paris and Milan.

GCC. In the UAE velvet trousers draws about 30 searches a month. A full-length wide leg gives coverage for evenings in Dubai, Riyadh and Doha, and cotton velvet is comfortable in air-conditioned rooms.

Frequently asked questions

What are velvet trousers?

Tailored trousers cut from velvet, a pile fabric with short, dense fibres that give a soft surface and a deep colour. Cotton velvet is more structured; silk-blend velvet is more fluid.

What do you wear with velvet trousers?

A matching velvet blazer for a suit, a fine knit for the office and a silk camisole for a party. Keep the top smooth so the velvet stays the focus.

What shoes go with wide-leg velvet trousers?

A heeled boot, a block heel and a pointed flat all work. Choose the length so the hem grazes the top of the shoe; ME+EM offers its velvet wide-leg trouser in two lengths.

Can you wear velvet trousers to work?

Yes. Brown and plum velvet with a merino knit and a loafer reads as texture, not evening wear. Our women’s pant suits guide has more office tailoring.

Do the ME+EM velvet trousers fit true to size?

ME+EM states that both the plum and the chocolate brown velvet wide-leg trousers fit true to size. They come in UK sizes 4 to 18.

How do you care for velvet trousers?

The ME+EM pairs are dry clean only. Between wears, hang them by the waistband and steam them to lift the pile instead of pressing them flat.

Are velvet trousers only for winter?

Velvet is most searched in November and December, but a cotton velvet in a deep shade also works on cool spring evenings with a lighter top.

How we measured: fabrics, linings, fastenings, fit notes, sizes, care and country of manufacture come from the four ME+EM product pages; we did not re-measure the garments, and nothing in the matrix is estimated. Search volumes are Google Ads monthly averages from DataForSEO, November 2026. Read our editorial policy.