Carole Middleton’s velvet top and sparkly wide-leg trousers prove that dresses and heels aren’t the only option this party season

Carole Middleton’s velvet top and sparkly wide-leg trousers proved that dresses and heels aren’t the only outfit option this party season.

The festive season is slowly edging closer and with this comes the usual dilemma over what Christmas party outfits to put together for different social occasions. Not everyone is a huge fan of sequined dresses, jewel tones and stiletto heels and Carole Middleton has proved that this really isn’t the only route when it comes to festive dressing. It might sometimes feel like a top and trousers isn’t smart enough, but Carole’s velvet top and sparkly trousers from 2020 show that this comfy combination can also be very elevated. She wore this outfit in a photo taken by Liz Macauley that was shared on her former business Party Pieces’ Instagram account.

Carole was pictured standing casually against a white console table in front of a selection of gold and white balloons and the colour contrast of her monochrome look really made it stand-out. She wore a fabulous black velvet top with such a timeless silhouette that it would be a staple in anyone’s winter capsule wardrobe for many years to come.

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Carole’s velvet top had a crew neckline and slightly puffed long sleeves that she ruched up around her elbows, giving this piece a more off-duty feel. The classic details balanced out the more statement fabric and the velvet had such a beautiful sheen to it. During the festive season we can often find ourselves swayed by trends to wear a lot of deep reds and forest greens, but if these tones just aren’t for you then black velvet is a great alternative and it’s something Carole has been seen wearing multiple times.

Despite being neutral in colour the texture of the fabric still makes a black velvet item that bit more special and it can go with so many other wardrobe staples. For a more dressed-down look the Princess of Wales’s mother could easily have worn this top with a pair of black or indigo jeans. However, for this party season-focused post, Carole instead went all-out and added a pair of sparkly trousers.

She’s long been the Queen of smart-casual dressing and keeping to this style ethos, Carole left her top untucked and draped over the waistband of her trousers. If you prefer a more streamlined finish with your outfit this approach might not be for you, but it does add a lovely relaxed edge.

Carole’s trousers were wide-leg and ankle-grazer length, and they appeared to be black with a glittering silver thread running through them. The silver caught the light so wonderfully and whilst the fabric was a contrast with her velvet top, they stuck to a similar colour palette and so there was a great sense of cohesion between these items.

If you wanted to emulate Carole Middleton’s look in an even more subtle way, then you could pick either a velvet top or sparkly trousers and style them with your favourite neutral pieces, rather than wearing them together. Wide-leg trousers are particularly comfortable as they’re not at all tight around your leg and make such an impact with their shape, so these are a perfect alternative to Christmas party dresses.

Carole did go for heels, but her black block heeled court shoes had a very low heel rather than a delicate stiletto and we've seen her wear similar styles of shoes this summer at Wimbledon. They had an almost loafer-like design at the front and they worked so well with her velvet top and trousers. This outfit still gives so much outfit inspiration for party season and we’ll be putting together similar looks ourselves this year.