The Unlikely Menswear Trend That’s Taking Over Everything From Sneakers To Tailoring This Fall

If there’s any indication that men’s fashion is going through a ‘70s moment, it’s that velvet is back. And no, we’re not talking about that red velvet dinner jacket you wear once a year, or some ridiculous Hugh Hefner sex robe. We’re talking casual and colorful velvet that you can wear on more than just special occasions—in the spirit of Keith Richards, above, who did it right back in the day. Today, not only are designers making velvet tailoring look better than ever before, but they’re also bringing velvet to outerwear, shirts, sweatpants and even shoes that channel just the right amount of decadence. Haider Ackermann has played no small role in turning velvet into a fashion staple. He outfitted Kanye West in a merlot velvet sweat suit that Ye made famous at Paris Fashion Week in 2015 (and which he’s riffed on in his own Yeezy line). Since then Ackermann’s velvet goods, particularly his signature bomber jacket, have become a stylish celebrity favorite, popping up on on Kanye, A$AP Rocky, and Miguel, among others. This fall Haider took his next-level bomber—which we named one of the 25 most-hyped men’s fashion items out there right now—to new heights, pairing the iridescent, plush velvet fabrics with velvet-and-leather skinny trousers. (For something slightly more forgiving, Massimo Alba does a vibrant velvet 5-pocket pant.) Read more at GQ Style.