Martha’s Favourite Velour

I don’t know what Martha Stewart is selling right now but I don’t have to. Martha is a hustler, she’s been hustling for as long as we’ve known her. She and Jennifer Lopez, two women who never stop working. So she’s been out lately doing a lot of press, making some headlines about her burial wishes alongside, I dunno, recipes for gingerbread cookies? It’s also the holidays, and this is her time – hosting ideas and advice, from table settings to side dishes, Martha is your girl. For what it’s worth, in my opinion, her mac and cheese is the best I’ve ever tried. And, naturally, haha, it’s the most expensive because it involves gruyère. Gruyère is so f-cking good and so f-cking expensive. But the more gruyère, the better. 

During several of her appearances, and on her social media, Martha’s been into yellow sets lately. She apparently is fond of a yellow velour set – as seen here on Instagram a few weeks ago…

…and yesterday she arrived at The Today Show in another yellow set, this one slightly different (you can tell by the hem of the pants) but still velour. 

Did not expect to be getting style inspiration from Martha Stewart but here we are. It’s the fabric, velour, and it’s cozy season. Specifically then, it’s a velvet or velour leisure set where, preferably, the pants are elastic and a little wide. Not necessarily a jogger but it could be if the pants are cut right.

Six years ago I bought a pair of velvet pyjamas from Banana Republic with the most beautiful print. Obviously no longer available in store but I actually just found them on eBay so you can see what they look like. They are SO comfortable and so stylish that I’ve actually never worn them to bed, I only wear them when I’m going out. And I have only worn them going out in December, it’s the perfect month for them. 

Seeing Martha in her velour reminds me that I haven’t worn my BR velour jams yet this year but it’s also making me want more velour. And velour has actually been really on trend the last couple of winters. Juicy Couture would say that velour has always been on trend. I mean, 20 years ago sure. Juicy these days is still that girl, with the tricked out JUICY running across the ass or down the leg. Respectfully, this isn’t the kind of velour I’m looking for. And there is a lot of very good velour out there. 

On the pricier designer side, I tried on this pair of velour Tory Burch sweatpants to wear on the show. They’re elevated by this gorgeous midnight blue colourway and the side zips at the ankles, so you can definitely wear to work or dinner. And there’s a matching track jacket that’s more casual but the whole set together is pretty sick.

Lacoste also has a full set that’s a better price point and on sale and it’s also giving Marty Supreme – more brash, less conventional… I’ve actually been sitting on this one for a couple of weeks, I love the attitude of it which I don’t always associate with this brand. Also the purple is getting me ready for the BTS comeback. 

Speaking of Marty Supreme, I wore this Banana Republic pair of orange velour pants that you can take out or keep in with a fair isle sweater in similar colours (cream, beige, brown) and it looked great over furry boots. 

For a perhaps more versatile, less bold option, that looks comfortable but also luxurious, Suzie Kondie has a set in three colourways and I loooooove the slouchy fit of the crewneck. The pants are wide leg and are the perfect loungers. 

And this pair of gorgeous near-black velour drawstring pants by Citizens of Humanity are a dream. So comfortable and the hang is just right. 

The best deal right now for a velour set is at Joe Fresh. Comes in three colourways and it looks like the brown is almost sold out but the pink is actually pretty cute, especially if you’re travelling. For that price, it’s hard to resist. Here it is in a slightly different fit and different shades but still the same low price. 

If you like the brown though and are willing to pay a little bit more, Aritzia has a great velour pant at a reasonable price. There are still sizes but they’re going fast. And the matching hoodie is kind of unbeatable. This is your airport outfit. 

If your size isn’t available there, Zara has a velour set in rich brown too and they’re under $50. Our stylist just pulled the pants and the matching zip-hoodie for me because we’re thinking of wearing it for a casual shoot I have in the new year. The way this jacket is cut is my dream, like a cross between a sweatshirt and a bomber, I f-cking love it. 

But my favourite, favourite velour right now and the pant I’ve ultimately landed on are so special, I can’t wait to wear them. Because they’re velour… AND CORDED! Haven Well Within, these are corded velour, in that dreamy “rainfall” green colourway (and two other colours), with the slanted pockets and the drawstring, sitting just at the ankle? And under $100? Stop it. This is too good. 

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